Nathan Jones Founder of the Freeloader Child Carrier & Shark Tank Success Story

Nathan Jones is an entrepreneur, inventor, and small business owner who transformed a simple idea into an internationally recognized consumer product. As the founder and owner of Jonesen Design, LLC, and inventor of the patented Freeloader Child Carrier, Nathan has spent more than a decade navigating the challenges and opportunities of building a business from the ground up.

Founded in 2012, the Freeloader Child Carrier was developed to help families explore the outdoors together. What began as an innovative product concept evolved into a global business, generating more than $5 million in gross sales, with products sold on every continent.

Nathan personally guided the Freeloader through the many stages of entrepreneurship, from initial design and prototyping to patent protection, international manufacturing, product development, marketing, and global distribution. Along the way, he developed relationships with overseas manufacturers, established wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales channels, and navigated the financial, logistical, and operational challenges familiar to small business owners.

The Freeloader was featured on the television program Shark Tank, providing national exposure and an opportunity to introduce the product to a broader audience. Over time, the company's customer base expanded beyond outdoor enthusiasts and traveling families to include families with children who have disabilities or mobility challenges, creating an unexpected and meaningful dimension to the company's mission.

Since 2021, Nathan has also worked through Jones Venture Advisory, an independent advisory practice focused on business development, operational strategy, risk management, and organizational leadership. His consulting perspective is informed by firsthand experience building a consumer brand, managing international supply chains, and navigating the realities of small business ownership.

In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Nathan served 20 years with the Austin Fire Department, concluding his career at the rank of Lieutenant. Throughout his tenure, he held a variety of operational and leadership roles, including six years commanding an engine company within the department's Wildfire Battalion. His career encompassed emergency response, complex incident management, strategic planning, and personnel leadership. Two decades in the fire service shaped his approach to leadership, reinforcing the importance of adaptability, sound judgment, and effective decision-making in high-pressure environments—principles he continues to apply in business and entrepreneurship.

Nathan graduated with honors from San Francisco State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy and Religion. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Sarah, and is the proud father of three children.