Riding the Imperfect Wave: How David Stover and Bureo Are Reshaping Supply Chains for Good

Jul 01, 2025

In a world flooded with plastic, David Stover is helping brands find their way back to purpose.

What started in a garage in Chile with a few recycled fishing nets and a dream to make skateboards has evolved into a global supply chain transformation engine. David Stover — surfer, engineer, co-founder and CEO of Bureo — is helping lead the charge toward more responsible production, and he's doing it with grit, humility, and a whole lot of surf-stoked optimism.

In my latest episode of The Underswell, David joined me to share the winding, wave-like journey of how Bureo went from a side hustle to a systems-change partner for some of the most impactful brands in the world — think Patagonia, Outerknown, Finisterre, and beyond.

From Skateboards to Supply Chains

Back in 2013, after David spent time as a consultant at EY, Bureo launched with a bold idea: collect discarded fishing nets in Chile and turn them into skateboards. It was simple, local, hands-on. But even then, the mission was clear — keep plastic waste out of the ocean and use business as a force for good.

It didn’t take long for the world to notice.

A cold email from Patagonia. A chance encounter with Jack Johnson. A mini spotlight on How I Built This. Each “lucky” break was met with a ready team, a real product, and a working supply chain — proof that their idea had traction. And more importantly, that they were willing to put in the work to scale it.

“Ideas are great,” David says. “But putting it into action — that’s where it all happens.”

The Realities of Systems Change

Fast forward a decade, and Bureo has evolved from a niche skate brand to a strategic partner in circular materials, supporting major apparel brands in rethinking how products get made — and how to do it without wrecking the planet.

“We’re trying to help companies make more responsible products,” David shares. “From fishing net waste to now apparel waste, emissions, water use — the stakes are higher.”

But scaling a solution like this doesn’t come easy. Global pandemics, social unrest, geopolitical turmoil, port closures — you name it, Bureo has weathered it. And through it all, David and his co-founders (all engineers) have stayed grounded by solving problems one by one, staying even-keeled, and focusing on the long game.

“We call it strategic urgency,” David says. “You’ve got to act fast — but with purpose.”

An Imperfect Journey with Real Impact

David’s story is a masterclass in persistence, adaptability, and staying true to your purpose. It’s a reminder that systems don’t change overnight — they shift over time, nudged by those bold enough to start small and dream big.

“We’ve learned to stay the course,” he told me. “Our trajectory hasn't changed — just the wave we’re riding.”

From bootstrapping boards in Chile to moving 2,000 tons of net waste through their system, Bureo has become a blueprint for how a small team can have outsized impact — and why brands should be doing more than just talking about sustainability.

Why This Conversation Matters

If you’re:

  • A brand leader ready to take real action
  • A founder seeking clarity and direction
  • A student or early-career pro wondering where your path might lead
  • Or someone craving a dose of purpose in your work

…this episode is for you.

You’ll walk away with honest insights on building a business, navigating pivots, scaling with integrity, and pushing for the systems change we desperately need.

“We need brands with conviction,” David told me. “That’s how we shift the system.”

🎧 Tune In

Listen to my full conversation with David Stover wherever you get your podcasts. And while you’re at it, ask yourself — what wave are you riding? And how are you helping accelerate the impact we need?

YouTube - http://bit.ly/45QyUnK

Spotify - https://bit.ly/46nzqcV 

Apple - https://bit.lyhttps://bit.ly/46nzqcV/3I9yoam

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