Divot

#4: The Brand Wizard Shaun Neff On Building Multiple +100M Culture Driven Brands

Mar 26, 2025

Shaun Neff, co-founder of Neff Headwear and branding wizard, illuminates his journey from selling beanies to partnering with stars like Kendall Jenner and Millie Bobby Brown. He shares insights into spotting breakout markets and building brands that resonate deeply with consumers. Neff emphasizes the importance of authenticity in celebrity partnerships, revealing how true enthusiasm outweighs financial incentives. With stories of launching innovative brands like Noise and rescuing Sun Bum, he showcases the power of storytelling in forging lasting brand connections.

01:04:57

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Episode guests

Shaun Neff

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Empowering team members and fostering collaboration is essential for business growth and developing a strong, inclusive culture.

Successful branding transcends logos; it creates a community narrative that resonates with consumers and fosters loyalty.

Crafting compelling brand stories and navigating retail partnerships are vital for establishing credibility and maximizing consumer engagement.

Deep dives

Empowering Others for Success

The foundation of business success lies in empowering others and recognizing their talents. Allowing team members to shine not only enhances individual performance but also drives overall business growth. Acknowledging that no organization can thrive with just one person at the helm emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared leadership. By giving power to others, a business can scale effectively and develop a strong, inclusive culture.

Intro

3min

From Street Art to Investment: A Journey in Art Collecting

2min

Building Authentic Brands

13min

Navigating Influencer Partnerships

23min

From Idea to Icon: The Brand Building Journey

8min

Journey to LAFC Ownership

8min

Embracing Challenges and Building Meaningful Relationships

4min

The Power of Trust and Market Dynamics

4min

How does a creative entrepreneur go from selling beanies to becoming the "Branding Whisperer" behind some of the most culturally iconic brands of our time? Shaun Neff is the legendary brand builder and founder of Neff Headwear, and the force behind Moon, Pattern, Base, and Sun Bum. He’s partnered with stars like Kendall Jenner, Millie Bobby Brown, and Snoop Dogg — and he's also co-owner of the X Games and LAFC.

In this inspiring conversation, Shaun breaks down the mindset, strategy, and raw storytelling behind his brand magic. You’ll hear how he spots breakout markets, builds products people obsess over, and navigates real partnerships with A-list talent.

From launching the disruptive fragrance brand Noise to saving Sun Bum from the brink, Shaun reveals how to build lasting brands that scale — and how staying true to your story is the ultimate superpower.

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Follow Shaun - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaunneff/

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Episode Partners:

Notion

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