Undergraduate Family Business Club Hosted Shibumi Shade Founders

UNC’s Family Business Club had their first speaker series of the semester, featuring the founders of Shibumi Shade, a revolutionary beach shade across the eastern coastline in their trademark two-toned blue colors. Though this was the first ever speaker series hosted on zoom, we reached record-levels of student engagement, with almost 30 attendees from various family enterprise and entrepreneurship clubs on campus.

Brothers Dane and Scott Barnes and their close friend, Alex Slater, are the masterminds behind a new level of beach luxury offered by Shibumis. A lightweight, easy-to set up option that dynamically works with the wind to provide maximum shade elevates beach time and removes the hassle of heavy, complicated tents. This trio of UNC alumni bootstrapped their way from personally hand-stitching the first models out of their spare bedroom to now outsourcing to two local North Carolina facilities to keep up with high demand year-round.

Dane, Scott, and Alex humbly told their story and openly answered student-led questions. One particularly interesting note: “It was complicated to make it simple,” they explained referring to the simple two-color scheme common to all Shibumi shades.

Though business with family and friends adds an extra layer to relationships, all three of these men agree that they are now closer than ever. They capped off the meeting encouraging students saying, “You’re all smart, and if you work hard, you can achieve anything you want.” These three founders brought their once far-off idea to life and want to help others who have the same motivations and potential. We are grateful to have heard from such intelligent, determined individuals.

Running off the momentum of a successful initial speaker series on zoom, the Family Business Club plans to host Jason Harris, co-president of Furnitureland South and founder of The Design Network, in their next meeting on Friday, October 16. For more information on how to join, click here.

Article written and provided by Caroline Harris, BSBA ’21, Vice President of the Undergraduate Family Business Club.