How Shibumi Shade Became North Carolina’s Unofficial Beach Flag | 10 Years of a Homegrown Idea

Ahead of the July 4th beach rush, the episode features Dane Barnes, co-founder of Shibumi Shade, reflecting on the company’s 10-year rise from a DIY, wind-powered shade prototype made from hardware-store materials to a common sight on North Carolina beaches. Barnes explains how he, his brother Scott, and friend Alex—without sewing or product experience—built early shades for their own family trips to Emerald Isle, began taking orders in 2016, and later grew into a Raleigh-based business with defined roles across sales, operations, and marketing. He shares the meaning of “Shibumi,” discusses the Quiet Canopy and the shift from local manufacturing to overseas production, clarifies misconceptions about beach bans, and highlights new products including the Shibumi Chair and the Park Vista shade for grass.

00:00 Sponsor Messages

01:44 July 4 Beach Setup

02:53 Origin Story Prototype

05:13 From Hobby to Orders

06:15 Meaning of Shibumi

06:55 How the Shade Works

08:09 Founders and Roles

09:51 Manufacturing and Quiet Canopy

10:44 Beach Bans Explained

14:26 Becoming a Must-Have

15:23 New Colors and Editions

17:05 Why Raleigh Base

18:07 Lessons in Entrepreneurship

19:54 New Products Park and Chair

23:06 What's Next and Brand Magic

24:50 Lightning Round Favorites

26:59 Where to Buy Closing