From Innovation to Inventory: Preparing Ulko Gear for Its Biggest Season Yet

If you’ve experienced a Minnesota winter, you know how important it can be to have a hobby that gets you through the long, cold months.

Some people stay inside, learn how to cook a new dish, knit a sweater, or curl up with a good book. Others embrace winter head-on, cross-country skiing through snow-covered forests, speeding down backcountry slopes, or even logging miles for their next race. After all, Grandma’s Marathon training doesn’t happen on its own.

But for those who spend time outdoors in the winter, breathing in the bitter cold air can make even the most enjoyable activity uncomfortable, limiting how long they can stay outside.

For Jolene Beisang and her family, avid cross-country skiers, the challenge of breathing comfortably while exercising in the cold air sparked an idea that would eventually become Ulko Gear.

Named after the Finnish word for "of the outdoors," Ulko Gear is focused on helping people stay active outside, even in extreme cold. Its flagship product, the patent-pending Talvi Air Neck Gator, warms and humidifies cold air before it reaches the lungs, allowing users to spend more time doing the activities they love.

After researching existing products on the market, Jolene and her husband, Dr. Daniel Beisang, a pulmonologist in Duluth, MN, believed there was a better solution. Together, they developed the design that would become the foundation of Ulko Gear, spending three years refining and testing the product with feedback from some of the world's top winter endurance athletes.

From Prototype to Business

While Dr. Beisang focused on product innovation, Jolene, an accountant by trade, took on the challenge of building the business. She sewed the first products herself, learned the ins and outs of manufacturing and marketing, and balanced the countless details that come with turning a prototype into a sellable product.

As orders increased and awareness of the product grew, Jolene realized she needed more than a great product to scale the business. She needed capital, strategic guidance, and the right partners.

Looking for support, she connected with Sandi Larson, Women's Business Alliance North Director. The Women’s Business Alliance is a program of the Entrepreneur Fund and a certified Women’s Business Center of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Together, Sandi and Jolene refined Ulko Gear's business model, strengthened its marketing strategy, explored manufacturing opportunities, and mapped out a plan for growth.

“Jolene was comfortable with the numbers, but starting a manufacturing business pushed her outside her comfort zone in many other ways,” said Sandi, who worked alongside Jolene for two years before pursuing financing for her next step. “Watching her learn, adapt, and grow as a business owner has been incredibly rewarding.”

To prepare for the busy winter season, Jolene secured a $50,000 SBA Microloan in 2026 through EFund. The financing allowed Ulko Gear to build inventory throughout the summer, invest in equipment, and be ready to meet customer demand when winter arrived.

“When we needed capital to scale up our business, Sandi guided us through the process,” said Jolene. “That funding helped us protect our intellectual property and invest in the tools and materials we needed to grow our small business.”

Today, Ulko Gear is reaching customers across the cold-weather sports community, from cross-country skiers to fat-tire cyclists. Revenue has more than doubled since the company's first year in 2024, and the product has earned praise from elite athletes, including Olympians who helped test early versions.

Earning Statewide Recognition

In fall 2026, that hard work earned statewide recognition when Ulko Gear advanced to the finals of the highly competitive Minnesota Cup, ultimately finishing as runner-up in the General Division. The achievement helped validate both the product and the business model, while introducing the co-founders to new audiences and opportunities.

“When we found out we were finalists, Sandi organized a practice presentation for us. Being able to practice in front of an independent audience with real questions and feedback was invaluable to us,” said Jolene. “We're grateful for Sandi's support and the Women's Business Center's role in helping Ulko Gear grow. We wouldn't be where we are today without them.”

What began as one skier's search for a better way to breathe in the cold has grown into an innovative northern Minnesota business helping more people enjoy winter on their own terms. With growing demand, increasing recognition, and a product shaped through years of testing and refinement, Ulko Gear is proving that a simple idea, paired with persistence and the right support at the right time, can grow into something much bigger. The Entrepreneur Fund is proud to have played a role in supporting that journey.

Interested in taking the next step in your own business journey?

Whether you're looking for a microloan, financing, or strategic guidance to help strengthen your business, the Entrepreneur Fund is here to help. Connect with our team or complete our enrollment form to explore financing options, business advising, and resources tailored to your goals. O

‍