DTC Podcast Ep 553: How Dad Gang Scaled from 100k to 700k Hats Without Changing Their Simple Playbook
Oct 20, 2025
Bart Szaniewski, co-founder of Dad Gang and creative mastermind, breaks down his brand's astonishing growth from 100k to 700k hats sold. He emphasizes the importance of customer co-creation and community engagement without fancy tools or large teams. Spontaneous 48-hour launches and emotional storytelling have been key to their success. Bart also shares insights on organic endorsements, unboxing experiences, and using simple tools like Canva for creative production, driving home the notion that keeping it simple can lead to remarkable growth.
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From Garage To 700K Hats
- Bart says Dad Gang grew from a garage to ~700,000 hats sold in three years while remaining a three-person team.
- They still use a free Shopify theme, iPhones for shooting, and work from a free buddy's office to stay lean.
Launch Fast Within 48–72 Hours
- Launch quickly: shoot content when inventory arrives and release within 48–72 hours to ride initial attention.
- Short hype windows beat long prelaunch calendars because customers forget long lead times.
Community Is The Primary Growth Lever
- Bart credits community and a private Facebook group as the brand's primary growth lever over celebrity moments.
- Loyal customers co-create products, give iteration feedback, and build long-term brand loyalty.