Montreal Marketeers Episode 40 – Jon Kaplan: Founder at Burnbud

Discover how architect-turned-entrepreneur Jon Kaplan transformed a simple idea into Burnbud, a sleek all-in-one smoking accessory brand built on thoughtful product design and distinctive branding. In this episode of the Montreal Marketeers Podcast, Jon walks through the leap from a stable career in architecture to the uncertainty of launching his own consumer product company.

In 2017, Jon took a decisive risk and founded Burnbud, driven by the desire to create a smoking accessory that was more practical and better designed than what he saw on the market. The result is a compact, convenient, and visually appealing product that brings multiple functions together into a single, user-friendly tool.

What stands out in Jon’s journey is how deeply involved he remains in every stage of the business. From the first product sketches and iterations to manufacturing decisions and the current sales strategy, he has treated Burnbud as both a creative outlet and a hands-on business school.

Today, Jon spends most of his time focused on growing the Burnbud brand through marketing and storytelling. His fresh approach to branding used Burnbud itself as a proof-of-concept for his ideas and has attracted the attention of companies interested in hiring him as a consultant.

By positioning Burnbud as his first major success story, Jon is now steadily carving out a reputation as a credible brand strategist. The episode offers a candid look at what it takes to shift careers, bring a physical product to life, and use that venture as a launchpad into a broader strategic role.

Show Highlights and Topics

• Duration: 35 minutes

• Leaving architecture to launch a product company and why Jon chose the cannabis accessory space

• Designing Burnbud as a sleek, compact, all-in-one smoking accessory from the ground up

• Staying involved in every aspect: product design, operations, and sales strategy

• How Burnbud’s growth is driven by branding, marketing, and clear positioning

• Using Burnbud as a case study to build a personal brand as a sought-after brand strategist