Three Dads Invested 250 Dollars Each to Start a Business That Hit 35 Million in Revenue
Bart Szaniewski, Grant Eastey, and Ejay O'Donnell didn't set out to build a big business. They were just three dads navigating the chaos of fatherhood, venting about sleepless nights and sharing tips on surviving diaper changes.
But that group chat? It became the foundation for something much bigger.
Today, their apparel brand Dad Gang has sold over one million hats, generated $35 million in lifetime revenue, and caught the attention of celebrities like Post Malone and Mookie Betts. Just this week, Gary Vaynerchuk joined as a partner and strategic advisor.
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And it all started with $750.
From Group Chat to Business Idea
The three co-founders met through a series of connections. Szaniewski and Eastey were college buddies at Washington State University. After graduation, they connected with O'Donnell, who ran a sticker company serving major brands like Nike.
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When Szaniewski and Eastey launched a T-shirt brand for fun, O'Donnell helped with printing. A group chat formed—and soon, the conversation shifted from business to the realities of being a dad.
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"We started talking to each other and venting to each other about dad stuff, looking for some support, telling funny stories, needing tips and tricks on how to do this whole dad thing," Szaniewski recalls.
Their texts often ended with a supportive signoff: "You've got this. Dad Gang."
That phrase resonated. The friends realized there was a gap in the market: most dad-themed merchandise relied on tired clichés about beer and lawn mowing. They wanted something that reflected the real, sometimes messy, experience of fatherhood—and looked good doing it.
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The 250 Dollar Bet That Paid Off
In 2022, each founder invested $250—a total of $750—to print "Dad Gang" on 100 A-frame snapback hats. They listed them on their website and waited.
They sold out in 36 hours.
Now, to be fair, they knew nearly every customer at that point. Szaniewski calls it "the Girl Scout cookie method"—friends and family supporting the launch. But the traction was undeniable. They ordered more hats. Then strangers started buying.
The founders divided responsibilities: O'Donnell on operations, Szaniewski on marketing, and Eastey on customer service and retail. They posted content every day across Instagram, Facebook, and later TikTok. Their main channel, Instagram, now has 350,000 followers.
When Celebrities and Everyday Dads Connect
The organic growth led to some unexpected moments. Professional athletes like Mookie Betts, Justin Turner, and Teofimo Lopez were spotted wearing Dad Gang gear. Post Malone and Teddy Swims became fans too.
But the most powerful stories came from regular dads.
One early customer sent Eastey a DM. He was facing eviction and asked if he could have a hat as motivation. Eastey shipped one for free. About six months later, the man reached out again—he'd found a job and a place to stay.
"It if wasn't for that hat, he didn't believe he would've been able to get through that," Eastey says. "Now he has over 10 hats, and he's going to be a forever supporter of the brand."
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Growing With Intention, Not Hype
From the beginning, the founders didn't chase rapid expansion. They kept things simple and affordable.
The original black trucker hat remains a bestseller. They added tan and olive colors based on customer feedback, then slowly introduced T-shirts, jackets, cups, and stickers. But the brand remains "80% headwear."
"We wanted to keep it so simple," O'Donnell says. "At $35 [for a hat], we wanted to keep it as affordable as possible for dads, especially in this day and age where everything is so expensive."
Steady growth for the first year and a half led to a breakout in year three. Dad Gang expanded into retail, landing in SCHEELS, Pro Image Sports, and dozens of small boutiques. Today, it's available in more than 200 Lids stores.
Gary Vee Joins the Team
The partnership with Gary Vaynerchuk is a full-circle moment. Szaniewski read all of Vaynerchuk's books fresh out of college. From the start, the founders took to heart his belief that a phone and a product are enough to build a business.
"When we made lists of dream people we'd want to work with, it was Gary at the top, and then Gary, Gary, Gary again," Szaniewski says.
Vaynerchuk sees the bigger mission: "Dads supporting dads is one of the great ways to make the world a better place. Two dads seeing each other in an airport wearing this hat and feeling just a little more supported with a micro ounce of humanity. That matters."
Balancing Fatherhood and Entrepreneurship
All three founders work from home and prioritize being present for their kids—the very inspiration for the brand.
O'Donnell embraces "work-life integration." He takes his kids to school, has lunch with his wife, picks them up from the bus stop, and fits work into the gaps.
Szaniewski keeps "dad hours" from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.—time to work out and focus before the kids wake up. Eastey notes there's "no 9 to 5" in this lifestyle, just constant adjustments with peace of mind that he's giving his best.
The Mindset That Made It Happen
The founders have a saying: "It already happened."
"Manifestation is 100% real," Eastey says. "If something's coming up and we know we want to do it or we hope it happens, it's never, 'Oh, we hope this happens. I wonder if it's going to happen.' We just say, 'It already happened.' And I would say 11 times out of 10, it does."
