Choona Clothing: Kurt Tobias from the corporate world to founder

In this episode of Panhandle Pulse, host Chuck Asbury sits down with longtime friend and local entrepreneur Kurt Tobias, founder of Choona Clothing. What started as a conversation between neighbors across the street has grown into a deep dive into entrepreneurship, faith, grit, and what it really takes to build a brand from the ground up in the Florida Panhandle.

Kurt shares his journey from the corporate grind and long commutes to launching a purpose-driven outdoor apparel brand rooted in Florida lifestyle and culture. From early mistakes (including infamous “belly shirts”), to manufacturing challenges, Made-in-USA decisions, financial risk, and the reality of desperation-fueled entrepreneurship, Kurt opens up about the highs and lows of building Choona over the last four years.

This conversation also explores:

Why the Florida Panhandle became Choona’s home base
The importance of community, culture, and giving back
Lessons learned from scaling a consumer goods brand
Faith, family, and the people who made the journey possible
What’s next for Choona Clothing and the vision ahead

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or someone who loves the Panhandle lifestyle, this episode is a raw and inspiring look at what it means to bet on yourself, your values, and your community.

https://choonaclothing.com
www.panhandlepulse.org
  / chuckasburyfl