This week, Luke chats with Chase Taake, Co-founder of KAT Custom Rings. You'll hear about his unconventional path from owning a mini-golf course at 16 to building a bootstrapped e-commerce jewelry business, why "making the world more fun" as a north star guides every business decision, how to turn TikTok virality into sustainable revenue, and the power of doing things that don't scale when finding product-market fit.
About Chase Taake:
Chase Taake is the Co-founder of KAT Custom Rings, a bootstrapped e-commerce business disrupting the traditional jewelry industry with custom engagement rings at thousands less than retail prices. With an entrepreneurial journey spanning mini-golf course ownership at 16, a failed axe-throwing business, and multiple startup SDR roles, Chase brings a unique experimental mindset to building businesses. His personal philosophy of "making the world more fun" has guided him through multiple pivots to ultimately build a thriving global jewelry brand from his hometown roots.
About KAT Custom Rings:
KAT Custom Rings is a bootstrapped e-commerce jewelry company that enables couples to design custom engagement rings at a fraction of traditional retail costs. Starting as a local hometown business, the company has expanded worldwide through strategic online marketing and a commitment to accessible luxury. By combining TikTok marketing savvy with old-school customer service, KAT has carved out a unique position in the competitive jewelry market.
Show Notes:
00:50 From SDR to Entrepreneur: The strategic job hopping strategy
01:37 Early Experiences with Entrepreneurship: Running businesses since 16
04:56 Lessons from the Mini Golf Course: What teenage business ownership teaches you
10:09 The Praxis Academy Experience: Alternative to college for SaaS careers
14:58 Axe Throwing and Event Planning Pivots: Learning from the "Willy Wonka experience"
19:54 Building KAT Custom Rings: Finding product-market fit in an unexpected industry
25:08 Scaling and Refining the Business: Breaking then fixing as you grow
29:56 Looking Ahead: Future Growth Strategies and sustainable scaling