Josh Smith: 30 Year Overnight Success Story, What It Takes To Build Montana Knife Company

As the CEO and founder of Montana Knife Company, Josh has combined his passion for hunting and extensive knowledge of blades to create one of the fastest-growing US-based manufacturing companies in the US outdoor industry. Montana Knife Company specializes in high-quality hunting knives for hunters and blue-collar working people.

Josh Smith, a fifth-generation Montanan, was raised in Lincoln, Montana, near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Growing up, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, motorcycles, and sports. Alongside his younger sister Sarah, he was raised in a log house built by their parents.

At age 11, Josh met Rick Dunkerley, his Little League baseball coach who introduced him to knife making. Inspired by Rick, Josh received a hand-forged knife for Christmas in 1992 and soon began learning the craft. By age 15, Josh became the youngest Journeyman Smith in the American Bladesmith Society, and by 19, the youngest Master Smith.

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Chapters:
00:00:00 - Starting Small and Being Patient with Montana Knife Company
00:08:43 - Learning Hard Work from My Dad
00:16:06 - Discovering a Passion for Knife Making
00:23:37 - Balancing Work and Family in Knife Making
00:31:42 - Teaching Resilience and Passion
00:39:20 - The Importance of Consistency and Time
00:47:10 - From Excavator Operator to Knife Maker
00:55:05 - The Beginning of a Big Event
01:03:27 - Taking Risks in Entrepreneurship
01:11:47 - The Pros and Cons of Bootstrapping a Startup
01:19:33 - The Importance of Sacrifice and Support in Pursuing Dreams
01:27:48 - The Feeling of Inadequacy
01:36:36 - Creating Jobs and Supporting Local Communities
01:44:36 - Building a Great Team
01:52:34 - Finding Positive Role Models on Instagram
02:00:26 - Hockey Enforcers and UFC Fighters
02:08:43 - Rapping Up

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