True Edge Tuesday with Nathan Bollen 

At SharkNinja, we strive for the Outrageously Extraordinary (OE) in everything we do, driven by our True Edge— the super skills that set us apart. This cornerstone of the outrageously extraordinary mindset harnesses innovative insight and strategic solutions to create a competitive advantage, empowering us to positively impact people’s lives every day. 

True Edge Tuesday celebrates team members who go above and beyond, showcasing what it means to reject the status quo and embrace the extraordinary.  

Meet Nathan 

A Tennessee native, Nathan relocated to Boston, Massachusetts to study Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University. It was there where he was introduced to SharkNinja through our partnership with the university’s co-op program, an immersive, full-time internship for undergraduate and graduate students. After his six-month placement on the Ninja R&D team, Nathan came on board full time to focus on the full product cycle and evolution of the Ninja Thirsti™– a smart hydration system that delivers customizable, on-demand flavored and sparkling drinks at home. 

OE In Action  

With solving consumer problems at the forefront of everything we do, Nathan is keenly aware of his feedback as he develops new models of the Ninja Thirsti™. His ability to question assumptions and ask follow up questions are truly his “true edge”. One of the main consumer pain points he addressed with the Ninja Thirsti™ was the time it took to make a drink. Nathan knew the team needed to tackle this challenge aggressively to achieve a significant reduction in dispense time. Throughout the project, Nathan embraced the mindset of challenging what we think we know. Initially, the team believed certain aspects of the carbonation process were fixed by design. However, by questioning these assumptions and exploring a radically different approach, Nathan uncovered innovative ways to optimize the process.

Hear from Nathan 

We sat down with Nathan to learn about his True Edge and how he strives for the Outrageously Extraordinary (OE) at SharkNinja and beyond.  

What does it mean to be Outrageously Extraordinary? 

To me, it’s about embodying SharkNinja’s relentless drive to push boundaries. It’s asking ourselves: What new features are consumers craving? What cutting-edge technology can elevate our products? It’s about never settling, no matter how good we think a project is, and always challenging ourselves with, “What’s next?” 

True Edge is described as “a keyprinciple of the OE mindset, combining vigilance, innovative insight, and strategic solutions to create a competitive advantage that is exceptionally hard to replicate.” 

  What’s your True Edge, or what are you working to build? 

For me, two pillars of SharkNinja’s culture stand out: Rarely Satisfied and Progress Over Perfection. As someone responsible for the performance of our Thirsti™ products, I’m always seeking new methods and technologies to deliver more to the consumer. Each year, as we reflect on our work, my goal as the “technology guy” is to look back and ask, “How did we ever accept last year’s performance?” 

This relentless drive to innovate and find new ways to deliver exceptional results is my True Edge. In my opinion, this mindset is essential for anyone on the R&D team—we’re constantly learning, iterating, and striving to make our products better every year. 

 Can you share examples of how you live OE? 

For me, communication and collaboration are key to thriving at SharkNinja. Even though I’m part of one of the more technical teams, I love participating in Consumer and Marketing meetings. Gaining insights from these different perspectives helps us take a holistic approach to our projects. This cross-functional collaboration often uncovers new pain points we can address or reveals opportunities to add features that truly delight our customers, ensuring we create the best product possible. 

What makes working at SharkNinja special? 

The culture at SharkNinja is incredibly collaborative and communicative. Teams across the organization—whether in technology or consumer-facing roles—are involved throughout the product cycle, and everyone’s opinions are genuinely valued. It doesn’t matter if you’re a VP or a co-op; feedback and ideas from anyone are welcomed and appreciated. 

One experience that stands out happened recently and ties into the idea of “True Edge.” A few weeks ago, I was filling my water bottle alongside Ross, our Chief Design Officer. During our casual chat, I mentioned how I’d helped create a marketing video showcasing the year-over-year improvements on Thirsti™. Ross really appreciated the mindset behind reflecting on progress and asking, “How could we have accepted this?” about previous performance. 

 Just 15 minutes later, Ross included me in an email to our CEO, Mark, highlighting this approach and its importance. It was surreal! This moment encapsulates what makes SharkNinja unique—no matter your title or experience, it’s about the value of your ideas and the culture of collaboration. Even as a young engineer, I felt my contributions were seen and celebrated at the highest levels. 

Nathan’s contributions to the Ninja Thirsti™ highlight how SharkNinja’s collaborative culture and focus on innovation drive meaningful improvements for consumers. His story is a testament to the impact of teamwork, fresh thinking, and a dedication to creating products that make a difference.