DTC Podcast
Ep 505: How Pins and Aces Built a $25M Golf Brand with Limited Drops and Omni-Channel Expansion
May 5, 2025
Nicklaus Mertz, the founder of Pins and Aces, shares his journey from a $6K side project to a $25M golf brand. He discusses innovative tactics like limited-edition drops and live selling that fueled their growth. Mertz emphasizes the importance of community engagement over traditional influencer marketing and how acquiring Edel Golf expanded their offerings. He also shares insights on product development driven by customer feedback, proving that starting small and iterating quickly can lead to substantial success.
42:45
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Quick takeaways
- Pins and Aces transformed from a side project into a $25M golf brand by utilizing limited drops and community-focused marketing strategies.
- The company's success hinges on data-informed product development and the integration of customer feedback to create engaging and relevant offerings.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has undergone a significant shift, moving from a model where brands could easily profit from influencer partnerships to one where influencers demand high compensation while providing limited returns. Initially, brands saw substantial gains by collaborating with golf influencers to promote their products, yielding impressive sales figures from small investments. However, the perception has changed, with consumers becoming more aware of paid endorsements, leading to a reliance on a more organic approach to marketing. Brands are now focusing on utilizing their own customer base to share authentic messages about their products rather than depending solely on influencer partnerships.
