BattlBox - Surviving and Thriving in the Subscription Game

When I sat down with John Roman, it was clear this wasn’t just a story about subscription boxes—it was a story about grit, evolution, and building a brand that speaks directly to a passionate community. 

As the Co-founder & CEO of BattlBox, John has transformed a niche outdoor and survival subscription into a DTC powerhouse, boasting millions of YouTube views and a hit Netflix show to boot.

But behind the curated gear and rugged packaging is a founder who deeply understands performance marketing, customer acquisition, and what it takes to scale through constant change. In this episode, John opens up about lessons learned, bets that paid off, and how BattlBox continues to thrive by listening to its community and leaning into its identity.

Here are a few key moments from our conversation:

* The “aha moment” that turned a hobby into a full-fledged business

 

 * How a loyal Facebook group became a strategic growth lever

 

* Why BattlBox scaled back from 30+ employees to a lean, high-performing team

 

* The story behind the Netflix show and its unexpected impact

 

* How John approaches data, storytelling, and building real brand loyalty

 

Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode to hear how one brand embraced its niche, built a community of superfans, and turned survival gear into a DTC success story.

For more on BattlBox, visit:  https://www.battlbox.com/

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