Startup Cafe: How Parks Project Built A Business That Has Given Over $2 Million Back To National Parks
☕️Startup Cafe: How Parks Project Built A Business That Has Given Over $2 Million Back To National Parks
Agenda
8:45 - 9:30 am • Coffee and Socialize
9:30- 10:30 am • Talk and Presentation
May 27th, 2026
Join us at Startup Café for a special conversation with Keith Eshelman, founder and CEO of Parks Project, the purpose-driven outdoor lifestyle brand that has donated more than $2.8 million to national parks and conservancies across the country. What began as a small garage t-shirt startup inspired by volunteer work in the Santa Monica Mountains has evolved into a nationally recognized brand carried by retailers including REI, Urban Outfitters, and Madewell, while building a passionate community centered around conservation, nature, and giving back.
Before launching Parks Project, Keith worked with globally recognized brands including Puma, Quiksilver, Vans, and TOMS. But it was his deep connection to the outdoors and recognizing the urgent need to support and protect our parklands that inspired him to create Parks Project. During this conversation, Keith will share the stories, experiences, and lessons from nature that helped shape both his personal journey and the growth of Parks Project into one of the most respected mission-driven brands in the outdoor space.
The conversation will also explore the future evolution of Parks Project and the launch of Parks Project Trips — immersive community-driven adventures designed to help people spend more meaningful time in nature, build connections with others, and experience the national parks in new and unforgettable ways. From conservation and entrepreneurship to wellness, community, and the importance of disconnecting from the noise of everyday life, this conversation will explore how nature can inspire not only business, but a more meaningful way of living.
Keith Eshelman is passionate about habitat restoration and making outdoor conservation accessible and cool. Prior to starting Parks Project, he worked on product & marketing with world renowned brands like Puma, Quiksilver and Vans. Then, Keith was one of TOMS shoes earliest employees where he built out international markets, launched concept pop up retail expressions, and later scaled the retail/café community hubs. It was there during a volunteer day in the Santa Monica mountains that he discovered the overwhelming backlog of much-needed funding to complete projects in parks, and uncovered a need to educate the next generation of advocates.
Inspired by the opportunity to do more, Keith took key learnings from his previous ventures and started Parks Project to create an outdoor lifestyle brand with purpose. Parks Project gives back to conservation efforts focused on restoring habitats in our parklands and activates communities of volunteers to support park projects. Worn by celebrities like Justin Bieber, Olivia Wilde and Ashton Kutcher, distributed by REI, Urban Outfitters, and Madewell, recognized by Fortune, Inc, New York Times, Vice and many more. In 2022 the brand was awarded by Fast Company “Most Innovative Retailer”. In only 8 years, what started as a tiny garage t-shirt business, the social enterprise has grown to an assortment of head-to-toe apparel and home goods giving back more than $2.8 million in donations to over 50 park conservatories, inspiring the next generation to leave it better than we found it.
About: Mike Schibel
Mike Schibel is the founder of Travel With Meaning, a platform dedicated to inspiring meaningful travel through storytelling and connection.
Through his work, Mike has collaborated with premier destinations including Visit Seattle, the Hawaiian Islands, Los Cabos, and Austria to create impactful campaigns and experiences that resonate with travelers around the world. Mike also works as a travel advisor with First In Service, helping people create meaningful and memorable adventures.
ABOUT The KINN
The KINN is a membership network, accelerator, and collaborative workspace for conscious entrepreneurs, based in Venice, CA. Running tailored inner development and business accelerator programs for startups, providing executive coaching, accountability, and access to a top-tier LA-based community of entrepreneurs, creatives, intrapreneurs, and investors. If you're interested in learning more about KINN Membership, please visit http://thekinn.co/apply