Written Testimony of Michael Mojica, Founder & CEO, Outdoor Element, LLC — Beyond the Trailhead (Field Hearing)

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Written testimony of Michael Mojica, Founder & CEO of Outdoor Element, LLC, for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship field hearing "Beyond the Trailhead: Supporting Outdoor Recreation in an Uncertain Economy," held May 30, 2025 at History Colorado Center in Denver, Colorado. The testimony describes the company as a maker of fire-themed outdoor gear with 10 patents. It states that tariffs on its core products rose to 145% and are now 30% additional tariffs, and that the company paused production, lost a wholesale account and laid off team members. It asks for a clear trade plan and transparency, invites a conversation with Ambassador Jamieson Greer, and describes shifting production out of China.

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Written Testimony of Michael Mojica
Founder & CEO, Outdoor Element, LLC                             10949 E. Peakview Avenue, Unit D6
                                                                            Englewood, CO 80111


Field Hearing: “Beyond the Trailhead: Supporting Outdoor Recreation in an Uncertain Economy”
U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
May 30, 2025 | History Colorado Center | Denver, Colorado


Senator Hickenlooper and distinguished guests—thank you for the opportunity to speak with you
today. My name is Mike Mojica. I was born on a U.S. Army base in Nurnberg, Germany, where I
watched my father—a man of integrity and respect—salute every shade of skin, and every shade
salute him back. That image has stuck with me my entire life. It taught me what this great country
could represent: unity, opportunity, and the confidence to chase dreams with grit and courage. This
country, while not without flaws, has long inspired dreamers and doers. I count myself as one of
them.

By education, I’m a mechanical engineer. For years, I had the honor of designing for our military—
both Army and Air Force. And in 2012, I moved to Colorado, rediscovered the outdoors, and started
something on the side: Outdoor Element. My Native name is Bodaway, meaning “fire maker,” and
that spark turned into a mission—creating rugged, innovative gear that helps people explore with
confidence, themed around fire.

About 7.5 years ago, I left a stable aerospace job to go all-in with Outdoor Element. I’ve gone
through accelerators programs with Moosejaw and REI, secured 10 patents with more pending, and
we just came off our best year ever. And then, two months ago, everything changed.

Overnight, tariffs on our core products jumped to 145%. That’s not a misstatement. What felt like a
mood swing from my commander-in-chief now feels like a knife in my back. What I thought was an
approachable path to the American Dream has suddenly turned into quicksand.
We are now down to 30% additional tariffs, 10 for reciprocal and 20 for fentanyl – Fentanyl, I’m
taking the punishment for a crime I didn’t commit. So here I am in this quicksand …just drowning a
little slower.

We’ve had to pause production. Tell our factories to simply hold goods and not ship in some cases;
what I am shipping is to fulfill wholesale pre-orders. But I am doing that to keep relationships alive
at little or no profitability. I’ve already lost one key wholesale account because of a slight price
increase. I laid off team members. Asked others to work less hours, my wife now works without pay.
My kids—who are here with me today—are helping pack orders. This isn’t a pity story. And I’m not
here to scream or yell. In fact, my spiritual mentor said, “Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no
one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.” This is a plea for conversation of clarity. Let’s
come together. Let’s be inspired!

I understand we operate in a global economy. It’s complex. But small businesses like mine can’t
plan for success when the rules change overnight, again and again without warning -without a clear
strategy or line of communication. This country is supposed to promote and build businesses, not
crush them. I’m not asking for a handout, I’m asking for a plan. I’m asking for transparency that
Written Testimony of Michael Mojica
Founder & CEO, Outdoor Element, LLC                                 10949 E. Peakview Avenue, Unit D6
                                                                                Englewood, CO 80111

inspires confidence. Chairman Mike Crapo recently said, “Trade is supposed to provide businesses
with the certainty we need to make long-term investments to drive growth.” I couldn’t agree more.
Today, that certainty is missing. I am no longer thriving, I’m working on surviving.

In the past, I’ve tried to reach out to leadership with the USTR, during the 301 tariff battles. It fell on
deaf ears. I’d welcome a conversation with Ambassador Jamieson Greer – lets’ forge a smarter path
forward, one that doesn’t treat small businesses as collateral damage but rather invites small
business as an important part of the economic equation…as part of the economic solution.

Ambassador Greer recently said he “wants what’s best for America.” My question is: What part of
America? Do I need to be building microchips or be in the auto-industry to matter?
It currently feels like I do not matter.

Right now, my food, fuel, and shelter cost more—and my profit margin is shrinking. That’s not
sustainable. Not for me. Not for hundreds of other small outdoor brands facing the same
uncertainty.

We’ve begun shifting production out of China. And when we can, we proudly manufacture right here
in the U.S.—like with our newest fire-starting product, Fiber Light. But that’s a journey, not a switch
anyone can flip on overnight. But, I also believe this: international commerce promotes peace. It’s
not a new idea, in the 1800’s French economist Frédéric Bastiat once said, “If goods don’t cross
borders, soldiers will.” Phil Knight echoed this idea in his memoir, saying Nike would rather build
boots in Vietnam than see combat boots there. I agree. And every international purchase order we
place is my vote for peace and partnership, not conflict. Collaboration over conflict is where I
stand.

Let’s use our foreign policy to foster the bridge we’ve spent decades building.

Outdoor Element was born from a spark—literally. We design survival and adventure gear themed
around fire that helps people explore the great outdoors with confidence. And behind every piece of
gear are real people. Families. Teams. Communities.

To those of you who carry our gears in your packs, light fires on cold nights with our firebiners or a
scout feather knife or simply believe in small business—thank you. You’re part of our story.

To this committee: please don’t forget or undermine small, scrappy companies who form the
backbone of America -building futures one spark at a time. Let’s keep the fire going.

Thank you.


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