Meet Mike Golder | Freediver, Surfer/ Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mike Golder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mike, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am a fan of art and design. I personally feIt I needed a creative outlet for my ideas and this was a perfect way to channel that. There were also things I felt were missing in clothing brands. There were things I looked for in purchased clothing from other brands. What I wanted was super comfortable high quality garments, well thought out art and simplistic toned down prints. I have always gravitated towards the “less is more” approach. Aiming for less loud branding and more of a art and graphic imagery approach. I have also always had a fascination with marketing and saw potential for what I was creating.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My brand Kalletka Undersea Co. has been a creative outlet for me. The goal has always been to combine artwork and the highest quality comfortable products. I am a huge fan of everything that has to do with the ocean and art alike. I have been freediving, surfing and fishing for most of my life and draw from those passions to inspire a brand representing the things that bring joy and excitement in my life. My goal has always been been to pursue a life in and around the sea. Our company slogan “The Humble Pursuit” reflects on the fact that the ocean is a huge place and will always humble and amaze those who encounter and explore it. The creatures and natural wonders the ocean provides are often my inspiration. The brand for me has never been about turning a huge profit or getting rich as my wholesale margins are small and I will only use high quality materials inks and embroidery. I want to offer gear that people actually will seek out when looking through their wardrobe at the start of the day. The main goal is really to keep people stoked and grow a faithful following to a loyal brand that represents a community of people connected to the ocean and nature.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Growing this brand while also working full-time at municipal Fire Department required working non traditional late night and pre-dawn hours. My family accommodated for the extra time I was investing in the business and made it possible to accomplish my goals. Occasionally even jumping in with a “all hands on deck” approach to complete quarterly inventories, wholesale orders, web orders, holiday sales packaging and shipping. Another shout out that needs to be made would be to the extremely talented contributing artists who have helped keep my vision for the brand headed in the right direction. Artists: Amadeo Bachar (Studio Bachar), Kevin Walsh (Seabeast Art), Bruno Michaud (BMD Design) and photographer Ryan “Chachi” Craig have all been instrumental in bringing ideas to light and canvas. Without this team the visuals that help identify the brand and customer following would not exist.

Website: https://kalletka.com

Instagram: kalletka_undersea_co

Linkedin: Mike Golder

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kalletka/

Youtube: Kalletka Undersea Co.

Image Credits
Ryan “Chachi” Craig, Fred Pompermayer, Mike Golder