434: Building a Sustainable Outdoor Brand: How LIVSN Designs Found Success

434: Building a Sustainable Outdoor Brand: How LIVSN Designs Found Success

Author: Startup Junkie December 1, 2025 Duration: 29:28

Summary

In this week’s episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Daniel Koonce and Caleb Talley sat down with Andrew Gibbs-Dabney, founder of LIVSN Designs, a Bentonville-based outdoor apparel company with a mission to create high-quality, versatile clothing for outdoor enthusiasts who value experiences over possessions. Andrew’s vision for LIVSN is clear: make products that last, fit into multiple situations, and help customers "own less, live more."


Andrew traced the company's roots back to a personal journey focused on simplifying life, which ultimately inspired LIVSN’s commitment to durability and versatility. The business was initially jump-started via Kickstarter, leveraging community support to raise production funds and validate market fit. Andrew emphasized how in-person events and local connections, like pop-ups and startup crawls, have been vital for the tactile nature of their apparel.


Sustainability and community drive every aspect of LIVSN, from rigorous dedication to responsible sourcing and transparency in the supply chain, to innovative repair and resale programs. Andrew explained that true sustainability goes beyond labels; it’s about continual improvement and extending product life cycles. The company’s recent B Corp certification stands as a testament to its holistic approach, valuing people, planet, and profit equally.


LIVSN’s story is also one of community ownership, with hundreds of customers investing through campaigns like WeFunder. With intentional product expansion and ongoing partnerships, Andrew’s team is proving that responsible business practices and building trust can compete head-to-head with industry giants. Tune in today!


Show Notes

(00:00) Introduction

(02:59) LIVSN’s Kickstarter Experience 

(07:18) Designing by a Set of Principles

(12:25) Holistically Building a Business

(15:05) Sustainability Through Product Longevity

(16:54) Community-Owned Business Vision

(21:30) Intentional Growth and Expansion

(26:11) 2025 Achievements: B Corp Certification & New Store Opening

(28:35) Closing Thoughts


Links

Daniel Koonce

Caleb Talley

Startup Junkie

Startup Junkie YouTube

Andrew Gibbs-Dabney

LIVSN Designs


Hosted by Jeff Amerine and the practical minds at Startup Junkie Consulting, The Startup Junkies Podcast digs into the real work of building a company. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a direct conversation on the stages every founder faces. You'll hear discussions on moving from a raw idea to a proven concept, the intricacies of strategic planning, and the daily grind of scaling operations. Episodes tackle leadership under pressure, effective marketing without a massive budget, and even the long-game considerations of exit strategies. The core of the podcast is built on conversations with those who have been in the trenches-seasoned business owners, resilient entrepreneurs, and specialists who offer actionable advice. The focus is consistently on tangible value, providing insights that can be applied directly to your own challenges. Tune in for a grounded perspective that aims to help you navigate each critical decision, pushing your venture forward one practical step at a time. It’s a resource for anyone who prefers honest talk about business growth over empty inspiration.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Startup Junkies Podcast
Podcast Episodes
AI and Data Privacy for Growing Companies with Carl Maloney of FloX [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:19
On this episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast, hosts Daniel Koontz and Caleb Talley sit down with Carl Maloney, founder of FloX, a technology consulting firm helping mid-sized companies replace spreadsheet chaos with AI…
How to Be a Great Startup Mentor with Permjot Valia & Ross Webb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:35
In this episode of the Startup Junkies Podcast, host Caleb Talley sits down with Permjot Valia, founder of Mentor Camp, and Ross Webb, a longtime AI product manager and returning Mentor Camp mentor, to unpack the philoso…
How Northwest Arkansas Funds Its Startups with Chris Ehrhardt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:46
Most founders think you need a $250,000 VC check to get funded, but angel investors will write you a check for $5,000, actually get to know you, and stick around as a mentor long after the money lands.In this episode, Ch…
You're Not Thinking Big Enough with Congressman Steve Womack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:49
He slept on the floor of a radio station he couldn't afford to staff, got told by the local coffee shop crowd he'd be out of business in six months, and ran that station for 45 years.Before he was a U.S. Congressman, Ste…
This Restaurant Won 5 Awards in Its First Year with Maria Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
Most restaurants don't survive their first year. This one won five awards in it. Including back-to-back People's Choice titles and a top finish for Best Asian Business in the entire state of Arkansas.Maria Smith left a l…
Why We Don't Let AI Predict Your Orders - with Foreko [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:24
Everyone's racing to bolt AI onto everything, but Foreko co-founders Homero Ruiz and Alexis Rodas found the biggest opportunity in something almost boring: 76% of procurement teams are still running on spreadsheets. In t…
I Trust My Gut 70% of the Time - Here's Why with Dr. Joshua Upshaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:45
Insurance paperwork is delaying treatment for patients who don't have time to wait. One founder built a company to fix it.In this entrepreneur interview, Dr. Joshua Upshaw — founder and CEO of Hidalgo Technologies and a…