Bart Szaniewski, Grant Eastey, and Ejay O’Donnell discuss their innovative journey from a group chat to establishing a multimillion-dollar brand called 'Dad Gang'. They delve into how their concept symbolizes modern fatherhood and emphasizes community through iconic merchandise like hats. The founders share insights on overcoming fears in entrepreneurship, the importance of organic growth, and building a loyal Instagram following. They also highlight impactful collaborations with athletes and the power of relatable messaging in fostering connections.
The founders built Dad Gang by turning a group chat term into a brand, fostering community through shared fatherhood experiences and challenges.
Their growth strategy focuses on organic engagement and partnerships with celebrities, emphasizing authenticity while elevating brand visibility and connection with dads.
Deep dives
Building a Community Through Shared Experiences
The founders of Dad Gang have successfully created a community centered around the experiences of fatherhood. They emphasize that the brand's mission is rooted in shared challenges and triumphs that resonate with fathers everywhere, allowing them to identify and connect through the simple act of wearing a hat. Through their hats, they aim to create a sense of belonging and recognition among dads, conveying the message that they are not alone in their journey. This community aspect has become vital, providing a space for dads to support one another, regardless of whether they're facing humorous or serious situations.
The Significance of Product Choice
The choice of hats as the product for Dad Gang comes from their belief that hats serve as a powerful form of personal expression. Hats can signify identity, similar to how sports fans proudly wear team gear to showcase their allegiance. The founders wanted a product that was simple yet meaningful, allowing fathers to make a statement about their role. They found that hats became a universal symbol for fatherhood, easily sparking recognition and camaraderie among dads who wear them.
Organic Growth Without Pressure
Dad Gang’s growth strategy has focused on organic growth rather than forced advertising, allowing it to flourish naturally. The founders started with a very low investment, which minimized pressure and encouraged experimentation in their approach. By emphasizing authenticity and community involvement, they have fostered lasting engagement and loyalty among their customer base. This approach underscores the importance of listening to the community’s needs and making adjustments based on genuine feedback from customers.
Collaborations and Fatherhood Representation
The success of Dad Gang is also attributed to strategic partnerships with notable figures, such as professional athletes, which has significantly elevated their brand visibility. Collaborating with figures like Mookie Betts allows the brand to not only reach a wider audience but also highlight the relatable aspect of fatherhood shared across different backgrounds. These partnerships aim to humanize the celebrity figures, showing them as fathers who resonate with everyday challenges. The focus remains on fatherhood, emphasizing the shared experiences and emotions that unite all dads, regardless of status.
"Dad gang" was a common refrain in the founders' group chat before it became the name of their company. Three friends, Bart Szaniewski, Grant Eastey, and Ejay O’Donnell, share how they built a brand from the term.