Ben Evers

It's design. We have graphic designers on staff that honestly are some of the best in the business. They've got an eye for these categories. And then we do the website development and the website hosting. We do the day-to-day production, the printing, the shipping, the after-the-fact customer service.

It's design. We have graphic designers on staff that honestly are some of the best in the business. They've got an eye for these categories. And then we do the website development and the website hosting. We do the day-to-day production, the printing, the shipping, the after-the-fact customer service.

Yeah, so when I started the business, what the concept was was that we were going to get into ag and bring farmers...

Yeah, so when I started the business, what the concept was was that we were going to get into ag and bring farmers...

mostly unknown efficiencies you know to the field and to the operation um so it was focused on the farm you know was the was the whole concept and then the logo and started doing hats and shirts and things like that from more of a marketing kind of standpoint i was working with guys on some biological uh products it was it was when that was really new on the scene um

mostly unknown efficiencies you know to the field and to the operation um so it was focused on the farm you know was the was the whole concept and then the logo and started doing hats and shirts and things like that from more of a marketing kind of standpoint i was working with guys on some biological uh products it was it was when that was really new on the scene um

And then also working on agricultural diesel tuning. So adding power and fuel efficiency to diesels. And that was all going pretty well, but the biological thing kind of got crazy. The big brands kind of took over and pushed everybody out. But meanwhile, the branding that we were doing was catching on and folks were wanting some of it. They were wanting some of the merch.

And then also working on agricultural diesel tuning. So adding power and fuel efficiency to diesels. And that was all going pretty well, but the biological thing kind of got crazy. The big brands kind of took over and pushed everybody out. But meanwhile, the branding that we were doing was catching on and folks were wanting some of it. They were wanting some of the merch.

They were wanting some of the gear. So I started realizing like, Hey, we got something else going on here. So it never started as a merch company. It did not. No. Okay.

They were wanting some of the gear. So I started realizing like, Hey, we got something else going on here. So it never started as a merch company. It did not. No. Okay.

Yeah. Yeah. And the brand and the name and everything fit well. So I was like, well, we're. People want this gear and it's like a lifestyle. It's becoming a lifestyle of its own. So let's just start a website. We'll do that too. Might as well.

Yeah. Yeah. And the brand and the name and everything fit well. So I was like, well, we're. People want this gear and it's like a lifestyle. It's becoming a lifestyle of its own. So let's just start a website. We'll do that too. Might as well.

So we're in the basement, like, you know, packaging some orders and stuff. And meanwhile, I'm out during the day knocking on doors, trying to get farmers to treat their fields and tune their diesels and stuff like that. And the online thing kind of started growing. And I got in contact with Zach, the millennial farmer. and drove to Minnesota and tuned his combine.

So we're in the basement, like, you know, packaging some orders and stuff. And meanwhile, I'm out during the day knocking on doors, trying to get farmers to treat their fields and tune their diesels and stuff like that. And the online thing kind of started growing. And I got in contact with Zach, the millennial farmer. and drove to Minnesota and tuned his combine.

Brought him a bunch of gear, and we talked about a bunch of things while I was there, and he said, man, I've got this YouTube thing going on. He wasn't super big at the time. He was probably 100,000, 150,000 YouTube. He's like, people keep asking me for gear. Like, this is what you do? Would you...

Brought him a bunch of gear, and we talked about a bunch of things while I was there, and he said, man, I've got this YouTube thing going on. He wasn't super big at the time. He was probably 100,000, 150,000 YouTube. He's like, people keep asking me for gear. Like, this is what you do? Would you...

want to help and i'm like yeah man i think we could do that like that wasn't the plan yeah and it was harvest so those famous words yes yeah i think we could do this yeah i think we can do this like it's not that big of a deal so it was like october so we put together a couple of designs launched them he uh mentioned it obviously to his followers that went nutso that christmas was was crazy

want to help and i'm like yeah man i think we could do that like that wasn't the plan yeah and it was harvest so those famous words yes yeah i think we could do this yeah i think we can do this like it's not that big of a deal so it was like october so we put together a couple of designs launched them he uh mentioned it obviously to his followers that went nutso that christmas was was crazy

Um, if you would have came into our basement, I mean, it was just, it was gear everywhere.

Um, if you would have came into our basement, I mean, it was just, it was gear everywhere.

We called everybody we knew. We were like, dude, we need, we need you to put packages together. We need to label. We need to run to the post office, you know, all the things. got all that, got all that to work pretty well. And then, um, and then we said, all right, well, there's something here. Cause even Zach was like, man, I might sell 10 things. I might sell 10,000. I have no idea.

We called everybody we knew. We were like, dude, we need, we need you to put packages together. We need to label. We need to run to the post office, you know, all the things. got all that, got all that to work pretty well. And then, um, and then we said, all right, well, there's something here. Cause even Zach was like, man, I might sell 10 things. I might sell 10,000. I have no idea.

Well, he sold 10,000. And so it got, so then that got crazy. And we said, all right, this is real. Let's build him into the website and let's start running with this. And then the big YouTube guys, you know, they all talk to each other. So somebody talked to Zach and so on and so forth. And people started calling and said, Hey, we need some help with this. We need some help with this.

Well, he sold 10,000. And so it got, so then that got crazy. And we said, all right, this is real. Let's build him into the website and let's start running with this. And then the big YouTube guys, you know, they all talk to each other. So somebody talked to Zach and so on and so forth. And people started calling and said, Hey, we need some help with this. We need some help with this.

So next thing we know, I guess if you, if you were to fast forward to today, I think we're on like the fourth iteration of the website, you know, have gone through multiple different e-commerce platforms to figure out what works best. You know, we're now in our own building, which is just an old house on our, on our farm. You know, we have our own t-shirt printers.

So next thing we know, I guess if you, if you were to fast forward to today, I think we're on like the fourth iteration of the website, you know, have gone through multiple different e-commerce platforms to figure out what works best. You know, we're now in our own building, which is just an old house on our, on our farm. You know, we have our own t-shirt printers.

We have our own embroidery machines at the time we were outsourcing all of that stuff. So one thing just continues to lead to another and that's what we're doing. So is it only influencers? Pretty much. I mean, everybody that's on our website has something to do with social media or YouTube in general. And then obviously the Farm Focus brand itself and the Stock and Rod brand itself.

We have our own embroidery machines at the time we were outsourcing all of that stuff. So one thing just continues to lead to another and that's what we're doing. So is it only influencers? Pretty much. I mean, everybody that's on our website has something to do with social media or YouTube in general. And then obviously the Farm Focus brand itself and the Stock and Rod brand itself.

And then on the Stock and Rod side of things, it's outdoor guys. Like one of Zach's best buddies, Target Focused Life, he's on the Stock and Rod website. He's an exhibition shotgun shooter and YouTube guy.

And then on the Stock and Rod side of things, it's outdoor guys. Like one of Zach's best buddies, Target Focused Life, he's on the Stock and Rod website. He's an exhibition shotgun shooter and YouTube guy.

That's the types of stuff you do also? Yeah, that's a good question. I see what you're saying now. Yeah, we do a lot of one-off merchandise for farm folks. We have people call us all the time that just say, hey, I've got a family farm and I want 24 shirts. Can you help me with the design? Can you put it together? And we do. Yep.

That's the types of stuff you do also? Yeah, that's a good question. I see what you're saying now. Yeah, we do a lot of one-off merchandise for farm folks. We have people call us all the time that just say, hey, I've got a family farm and I want 24 shirts. Can you help me with the design? Can you put it together? And we do. Yep.

there to sell swag like that if you're not set up properly for it it's almost more work than it's worth yeah and that's what most people realize and it's like that with anything you know anything that has to do with manufacturing or whatever um so that's where we've been able to streamline that and then also primarily focus on these categories so it's been you know super helpful for folks um and we do beginning to end so it's it's design we have graphic designers on staff that honestly are some of the best in the business they've got an eye for these categories um

there to sell swag like that if you're not set up properly for it it's almost more work than it's worth yeah and that's what most people realize and it's like that with anything you know anything that has to do with manufacturing or whatever um so that's where we've been able to streamline that and then also primarily focus on these categories so it's been you know super helpful for folks um and we do beginning to end so it's it's design we have graphic designers on staff that honestly are some of the best in the business they've got an eye for these categories um

And then we do the website development and the website hosting. We do the day-to-day production, the printing, the shipping, the after-the-fact customer service. The stuff that gets sent to people that buy from your brand or from anybody else's brand off of our website, our hands touch it. It comes directly from us. So we have a lot invested in making sure that that is good quality stuff.

And then we do the website development and the website hosting. We do the day-to-day production, the printing, the shipping, the after-the-fact customer service. The stuff that gets sent to people that buy from your brand or from anybody else's brand off of our website, our hands touch it. It comes directly from us. So we have a lot invested in making sure that that is good quality stuff.

The stuff that gets sent to people that buy from your brand or from anybody else's brand off of our website comes Our hands touch it. It comes directly from us. So we have a lot invested in making sure that that is good quality stuff.

The stuff that gets sent to people that buy from your brand or from anybody else's brand off of our website comes Our hands touch it. It comes directly from us. So we have a lot invested in making sure that that is good quality stuff.

What's the team look like? How many people you got? Morgan runs the day-to-day production at the print shop. And oftentimes it's just her doing that. And then I'm in filling in, doing a couple of things. And then throughout the different times of year, we've kind of got a pretty good idea of how the volume is going to flow throughout the year.

What's the team look like? How many people you got? Morgan runs the day-to-day production at the print shop. And oftentimes it's just her doing that. And then I'm in filling in, doing a couple of things. And then throughout the different times of year, we've kind of got a pretty good idea of how the volume is going to flow throughout the year.

So obviously when we get into the fourth quarter, yeah, we get really busy. So we bring folks in and have a couple of part-time. It's usually college or high school kids, you know, out there helping us, working on some things, pretty straightforward stuff.

So obviously when we get into the fourth quarter, yeah, we get really busy. So we bring folks in and have a couple of part-time. It's usually college or high school kids, you know, out there helping us, working on some things, pretty straightforward stuff.

And then separate from that, as I mentioned earlier, our graphic designers, they're remote. So Sarah Welker, she's in, she's in Montana.

And then separate from that, as I mentioned earlier, our graphic designers, they're remote. So Sarah Welker, she's in, she's in Montana.

And she's, she's been with us for a number of years now. I don't know. There's no way we could do what we do without her. I mean, she just, she kills it. She's so creative and, and she also helps keep me on track. Like, and she's nice about it. Like she could be really mean to me cause I, cause I dropped the ball on things all the time.

And she's, she's been with us for a number of years now. I don't know. There's no way we could do what we do without her. I mean, she just, she kills it. She's so creative and, and she also helps keep me on track. Like, and she's nice about it. Like she could be really mean to me cause I, cause I dropped the ball on things all the time.

And then we have a second graphic designer that's in Texas, Sierra, that Sarah kind of manages. And then we have someone in charge of our social media who's out in Idaho. So that's our crew.

And then we have a second graphic designer that's in Texas, Sierra, that Sarah kind of manages. And then we have someone in charge of our social media who's out in Idaho. So that's our crew.

We have, yeah. We've had people in and out.

We have, yeah. We've had people in and out.

In our inventory, we do have tens of thousands of dollars in inventory, but it's all blank goods. Yep. So we keep those blank goods around and then they're getting pulled off the shelf every day based on the previous day's orders. and getting ready for production and then printed and shipped.

In our inventory, we do have tens of thousands of dollars in inventory, but it's all blank goods. Yep. So we keep those blank goods around and then they're getting pulled off the shelf every day based on the previous day's orders. and getting ready for production and then printed and shipped.

Or even worse, you run out of one size, and then you're like, this is all I need, but the screen printer... We'll do a minimum of 48. I don't need 48. You know, how all that kind of thing works.

Or even worse, you run out of one size, and then you're like, this is all I need, but the screen printer... We'll do a minimum of 48. I don't need 48. You know, how all that kind of thing works.

this i take i'm assuming there's a lot of skill and weird stuff i mean you guys are always talking about well that color bled you know that's not going to work or whatever yeah yeah that's i mean it's really all just been trial and error honestly um you know the machines like the investment in the machines to do this is you know expensive i mean the stuff's expensive flat out but we knew this is what we had to do in the route we needed to go so we just got the stuff you know and then the manufacturers send out a trainer and you work with them for a day and

this i take i'm assuming there's a lot of skill and weird stuff i mean you guys are always talking about well that color bled you know that's not going to work or whatever yeah yeah that's i mean it's really all just been trial and error honestly um you know the machines like the investment in the machines to do this is you know expensive i mean the stuff's expensive flat out but we knew this is what we had to do in the route we needed to go so we just got the stuff you know and then the manufacturers send out a trainer and you work with them for a day and

you're more confused than when you started. And then you just start going, man, and you just start trying to figure it out. We've got a pile. I mean, a pile of messed up stuff.

you're more confused than when you started. And then you just start going, man, and you just start trying to figure it out. We've got a pile. I mean, a pile of messed up stuff.

No, when I say a pile, I'm talking about a pile.

No, when I say a pile, I'm talking about a pile.

Yeah. Yep. And normally that's what it is. It's some kind of misprint. So, you know, the printer moved when it shouldn't have or the color got screwed up.

Yeah. Yep. And normally that's what it is. It's some kind of misprint. So, you know, the printer moved when it shouldn't have or the color got screwed up.

And on top of that, like we are super picky, probably a little bit too much because sometimes folks will look at like our mess up pile and be like, what the hell's wrong with this?

And on top of that, like we are super picky, probably a little bit too much because sometimes folks will look at like our mess up pile and be like, what the hell's wrong with this?

Well, you see that little spot right there and they're like, oh my God, give me that, you know. But it's important.

Well, you see that little spot right there and they're like, oh my God, give me that, you know. But it's important.

Right. But when you think about it, man, like when you go and buy something and you're buying something from one of your favorite people that you follow, like you're excited to get that dang thing. And if there's something wrong with it, you know, that's disappointing. Like the experience is part of it, right? So we want to make sure that what you're getting, it's spot on.

Right. But when you think about it, man, like when you go and buy something and you're buying something from one of your favorite people that you follow, like you're excited to get that dang thing. And if there's something wrong with it, you know, that's disappointing. Like the experience is part of it, right? So we want to make sure that what you're getting, it's spot on.

Yeah. Where are we going?

Yeah. Where are we going?

And every now and then we'll ship something that we missed, you know, and someone will call and say, hey, I don't want to be mean, but I noticed this or whatever. Absolutely. Thank you for calling.

And every now and then we'll ship something that we missed, you know, and someone will call and say, hey, I don't want to be mean, but I noticed this or whatever. Absolutely. Thank you for calling.

I've been waiting for this. I listened to a bunch of guys' episodes, so I've been waiting for this.

I've been waiting for this. I listened to a bunch of guys' episodes, so I've been waiting for this.

I'm like, God, I'm so sorry. The post office is rough on packages.

I'm like, God, I'm so sorry. The post office is rough on packages.

There's no question that the number one problem that we have is shipping. And it's from all aspects. It's from packaging. It's from how the packages get handled. It's the price component. It's working with these shippers. It's lost packages. I can help you with that.

There's no question that the number one problem that we have is shipping. And it's from all aspects. It's from packaging. It's from how the packages get handled. It's the price component. It's working with these shippers. It's lost packages. I can help you with that.

What we do today, we try to be very transparent with people because shipping is a hot topic, man. So, we... We use a platform as well. We use ShipStation currently. And that integrates with our website. And it takes your package, which is basically your package weight, everything that you have in the cart. And it takes your zip code and it hits the post office.

What we do today, we try to be very transparent with people because shipping is a hot topic, man. So, we... We use a platform as well. We use ShipStation currently. And that integrates with our website. And it takes your package, which is basically your package weight, everything that you have in the cart. And it takes your zip code and it hits the post office.

It hits UPS and it comes back with a price. And then it takes that price and we add anywhere from like 50 cents to a dollar to that price. So completely transparent. We don't make any money on shipping because that is the price to print that label. And then we have to pay for the box.

It hits UPS and it comes back with a price. And then it takes that price and we add anywhere from like 50 cents to a dollar to that price. So completely transparent. We don't make any money on shipping because that is the price to print that label. And then we have to pay for the box.

We have to pay for the packing material, the tape, the cool tape, you know, all the things that go along with that. So shipping is by no means a profit center for us. It's just a pass-through. So we get people, you know, who are like, oh, my God, I can't believe how much it is to ship a T-shirt. Sorry. But I'm not charging you anything for that. That's what the post office is charging. Yeah.

We have to pay for the packing material, the tape, the cool tape, you know, all the things that go along with that. So shipping is by no means a profit center for us. It's just a pass-through. So we get people, you know, who are like, oh, my God, I can't believe how much it is to ship a T-shirt. Sorry. But I'm not charging you anything for that. That's what the post office is charging. Yeah.

You know, so it's – and people – get it. Most people get it.

You know, so it's – and people – get it. Most people get it.

It is.

It is.

I'll tell you, man, I think the category that we deal with with

I'll tell you, man, I think the category that we deal with with

ag folks i feel like we have some of the most understanding customers that exist so people tend to be cool with you know a little bit more extended time compared to amazon every now and then we get somebody you know that's pissy or whatever but usually people are cool with that people understand how it works people are just happy to get these neat products

ag folks i feel like we have some of the most understanding customers that exist so people tend to be cool with you know a little bit more extended time compared to amazon every now and then we get somebody you know that's pissy or whatever but usually people are cool with that people understand how it works people are just happy to get these neat products

From their favorite YouTuber or whatever. So we have very little trouble with, you know, customer issues. People are, I mean, just this category of people are just good folks.

From their favorite YouTuber or whatever. So we have very little trouble with, you know, customer issues. People are, I mean, just this category of people are just good folks.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We'll talk to people. Yeah. Sometimes somebody, some old timer I call, we'll be on the phone for 20 minutes just like. Hey, did you see Zach's video the other day? Yeah, man, I saw it. Oh, man, that guy, you know, blah, blah, blah.

We'll talk to people. Yeah. Sometimes somebody, some old timer I call, we'll be on the phone for 20 minutes just like. Hey, did you see Zach's video the other day? Yeah, man, I saw it. Oh, man, that guy, you know, blah, blah, blah.

It's the same. I mean, I would say it's the same as what I said about the customers. Like, the folks who are in social media and YouTube and whatever in this category, they're just good folks. There's not any of them that we've run into that we would be like, I wouldn't have a beer with those guys.

It's the same. I mean, I would say it's the same as what I said about the customers. Like, the folks who are in social media and YouTube and whatever in this category, they're just good folks. There's not any of them that we've run into that we would be like, I wouldn't have a beer with those guys.

Yeah, I'm torn with that because we want to get bigger, but we want to make sure that we still are able to provide that really good customer service. Also, you know, the next step is getting into a bigger facility. So it's like, you know, a big industrial building somewhere or something like that, which I'm torn because right now we're at the family farm. That's where we work every day.

Yeah, I'm torn with that because we want to get bigger, but we want to make sure that we still are able to provide that really good customer service. Also, you know, the next step is getting into a bigger facility. So it's like, you know, a big industrial building somewhere or something like that, which I'm torn because right now we're at the family farm. That's where we work every day.

It's quiet. You know, the dog's coming in and out of the door all day long. You know, mom's next door. She comes over and bothers you about whatever, maybe brings lunch, you know, that kind of stuff. So it's like that day-to-day is so much better than being in some industrial park somewhere pumping out T-shirts, you know. So it's...

It's quiet. You know, the dog's coming in and out of the door all day long. You know, mom's next door. She comes over and bothers you about whatever, maybe brings lunch, you know, that kind of stuff. So it's like that day-to-day is so much better than being in some industrial park somewhere pumping out T-shirts, you know. So it's...

Yeah. I mean, we definitely think about it. I mean, we definitely, we need to grow. We want to grow. There's a lot of things we could do. Like the Stock and Rod brand is new. I want to grow that. I want Farm Focus to also, just itself for that brand to continue to grow and be something cool, you know, that it can stand alone if it needs to. There's a lot of things, you know, that we want to do.

Yeah. I mean, we definitely think about it. I mean, we definitely, we need to grow. We want to grow. There's a lot of things we could do. Like the Stock and Rod brand is new. I want to grow that. I want Farm Focus to also, just itself for that brand to continue to grow and be something cool, you know, that it can stand alone if it needs to. There's a lot of things, you know, that we want to do.

But right now, I mean, we're doing good. It's fun, you know.

But right now, I mean, we're doing good. It's fun, you know.

Cole's pretty innovative. He looks at a lot of stuff. We do vaccination coolers with him. There's vaccination coolers on the website. One of his partners...

Cole's pretty innovative. He looks at a lot of stuff. We do vaccination coolers with him. There's vaccination coolers on the website. One of his partners...

Yeah, the bobblehead thing was funny. Yeah, we had these bobbleheads custom made. Like somehow I came across somebody that was doing these. It was some dude in New York. I contacted him. He's got a factory in China. They started making these things out of clay, and they were sending me clay pictures like they're hand molding Zach.

Yeah, the bobblehead thing was funny. Yeah, we had these bobbleheads custom made. Like somehow I came across somebody that was doing these. It was some dude in New York. I contacted him. He's got a factory in China. They started making these things out of clay, and they were sending me clay pictures like they're hand molding Zach.

And I sent it to Zach, and he'd be like, ah, you know, I need him to change my sunglasses a little bit or whatever. You know, like they're doing this, and then they're hand painting them, and then we get a picture, and it's done, and I'm like, this is hilarious, dude. And he was like, he was on board with it. You know, at first we got them all and I showed it to him and he was like,

And I sent it to Zach, and he'd be like, ah, you know, I need him to change my sunglasses a little bit or whatever. You know, like they're doing this, and then they're hand painting them, and then we get a picture, and it's done, and I'm like, this is hilarious, dude. And he was like, he was on board with it. You know, at first we got them all and I showed it to him and he was like,

Ooh, I don't know if I want to sell those. I mean, it was him. It's him a hundred percent.

Ooh, I don't know if I want to sell those. I mean, it was him. It's him a hundred percent.

Those things have been a game for like the last five years. Yeah.

Those things have been a game for like the last five years. Yeah.

I'm ready to go to battle, man. Let's go!

I'm ready to go to battle, man. Let's go!

And I don't blame him. Like it is strange. Like you're selling a little thing of yourself, but, um, we had a lot of fun with those. We just sold the last ones at foreign progress a few weeks ago. Yeah. And we've just, they've just been kind of fun, but I don't know what else would be different.

And I don't blame him. Like it is strange. Like you're selling a little thing of yourself, but, um, we had a lot of fun with those. We just sold the last ones at foreign progress a few weeks ago. Yeah. And we've just, they've just been kind of fun, but I don't know what else would be different.

Yeah, I mean, any of that stuff is possible. Yeah, I mean, there's companies out there, you know, just a matter of finding who's willing to do those kinds of things and who's willing to partner. The downside in the merch game is that when you get into that full-on custom stuff, you end up having to get some kind of quantity. Yep. You know? So you've got to get a ton of stuff up front.

Yeah, I mean, any of that stuff is possible. Yeah, I mean, there's companies out there, you know, just a matter of finding who's willing to do those kinds of things and who's willing to partner. The downside in the merch game is that when you get into that full-on custom stuff, you end up having to get some kind of quantity. Yep. You know? So you've got to get a ton of stuff up front.

And then you've got to figure out how to sell it. So wear the T-shirt and the hat thing. Like we talked about earlier, we're making most of those one by one by one, so it's very easy for people. There's not a big inventory investment. It's just kind of you're investing as you're going.

And then you've got to figure out how to sell it. So wear the T-shirt and the hat thing. Like we talked about earlier, we're making most of those one by one by one, so it's very easy for people. There's not a big inventory investment. It's just kind of you're investing as you're going.

That's right.

That's right.

Current second would be Larson or Colesani.

Current second would be Larson or Colesani.

Cornstar does pretty well as well. Yeah. Dr. Hake, Cafet, Marissa Hake. I don't know if you guys have met her.

Cornstar does pretty well as well. Yeah. Dr. Hake, Cafet, Marissa Hake. I don't know if you guys have met her.

Another one, obviously, is Welker's. They're big on the website. How does Sharky's stuff sell? Man, Rob does good, but here's the thing, and this is what I tell everybody. What we do is we make sure that your customer gets a really good product and gets good service. We don't sell it. We're on social media.

Another one, obviously, is Welker's. They're big on the website. How does Sharky's stuff sell? Man, Rob does good, but here's the thing, and this is what I tell everybody. What we do is we make sure that your customer gets a really good product and gets good service. We don't sell it. We're on social media.

We'll advertise it here and there, but we can't have even half, even a quarter of the impact that you can have. So if the influencer, if the brand decides they want to advertise it, they're going to sell it. Rob, solid dude, doesn't advertise it. So people come to our website and they see the stuff and they'll buy it. Got to get them there. Yeah, if he talked about it.

We'll advertise it here and there, but we can't have even half, even a quarter of the impact that you can have. So if the influencer, if the brand decides they want to advertise it, they're going to sell it. Rob, solid dude, doesn't advertise it. So people come to our website and they see the stuff and they'll buy it. Got to get them there. Yeah, if he talked about it.

And that's the other cool thing about our website is that it's become like this forum for these ag brands. So, you know, you talk about Zach, like a lot of people are visiting the website to see Zach's stuff. They know it's there. But then they see, oh, this exists and this exists and this exists. Probably 60% of our carts are multi-branded.

And that's the other cool thing about our website is that it's become like this forum for these ag brands. So, you know, you talk about Zach, like a lot of people are visiting the website to see Zach's stuff. They know it's there. But then they see, oh, this exists and this exists and this exists. Probably 60% of our carts are multi-branded.

For sure. And honestly, our prices are super competitive. We could charge another probably 20% over what we charge right now. But it was decided early on that we want to make this stuff as affordable as possible. There's a lot of kids that are into these brands and they want to get something and they don't have a ton of money or whatever. Maybe some rural folks that don't have a ton of money.

For sure. And honestly, our prices are super competitive. We could charge another probably 20% over what we charge right now. But it was decided early on that we want to make this stuff as affordable as possible. There's a lot of kids that are into these brands and they want to get something and they don't have a ton of money or whatever. Maybe some rural folks that don't have a ton of money.

We want to make sure that we try to make it as accessible as possible. So that's always been that.

We want to make sure that we try to make it as accessible as possible. So that's always been that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

There's always new ones out there. And one of the things that's cool, like we talked about Cole Sonny earlier, He contacted us and he said, I want to be on the website. I want to sell something. When he did that, he was very small. So we've been with him from the beginning and he's gotten big. So that's an awesome success story. He's done a phenomenal job.

There's always new ones out there. And one of the things that's cool, like we talked about Cole Sonny earlier, He contacted us and he said, I want to be on the website. I want to sell something. When he did that, he was very small. So we've been with him from the beginning and he's gotten big. So that's an awesome success story. He's done a phenomenal job.

But when I look at, I always try to pay attention to social media, obviously. And there's a few folks today that I've been messaging and just trying to get their ear and try to talk to them to see if they want to do it. The biggest one, and you guys know who it is right now, who I'm hoping that someday we can work with, is that little John Deere boy, Jackson. I just texted his dad.

But when I look at, I always try to pay attention to social media, obviously. And there's a few folks today that I've been messaging and just trying to get their ear and try to talk to them to see if they want to do it. The biggest one, and you guys know who it is right now, who I'm hoping that someday we can work with, is that little John Deere boy, Jackson. I just texted his dad.

literally sitting here i'm like yeah does he have an apparel line yeah and you you've talked to him so i think it's his mom i don't know for sure but we've been messaging a little bit you know over email we were supposed to meet at farm progress it didn't happen but it's brands like that that we see and we go it we want to make sure that everybody's on the website is you know the same of the same state of mind you know we all can easily work together they seem like good folks it's not just about you know trying to make some money it's about working with good people and they seem great

literally sitting here i'm like yeah does he have an apparel line yeah and you you've talked to him so i think it's his mom i don't know for sure but we've been messaging a little bit you know over email we were supposed to meet at farm progress it didn't happen but it's brands like that that we see and we go it we want to make sure that everybody's on the website is you know the same of the same state of mind you know we all can easily work together they seem like good folks it's not just about you know trying to make some money it's about working with good people and they seem great

So I think that would be a fun one, you know, amongst a number of other ones. On the stock and rod side, I'm talking to, you know, hunting personalities, fishing personalities, you know, the people in that space all the time, trying to get people to come on and give us a shot and let us try to help them with some merch.

So I think that would be a fun one, you know, amongst a number of other ones. On the stock and rod side, I'm talking to, you know, hunting personalities, fishing personalities, you know, the people in that space all the time, trying to get people to come on and give us a shot and let us try to help them with some merch.

Yeah, like competitive. Yeah.

Yeah, like competitive. Yeah.

Hey, it's all right. It's pretty typical.

Hey, it's all right. It's pretty typical.

That's a great point. I mean, there is a couple of them that we work with. The biggest one would be probably the Red E brand. So I'm sure you guys have seen some of their stuff. They work with air seeders. They rebuild air seeders. They're up in North Dakota. Wow. Solid folks. They contacted us early on, wanted us to help them with their merch game. They have a store on the site.

That's a great point. I mean, there is a couple of them that we work with. The biggest one would be probably the Red E brand. So I'm sure you guys have seen some of their stuff. They work with air seeders. They rebuild air seeders. They're up in North Dakota. Wow. Solid folks. They contacted us early on, wanted us to help them with their merch game. They have a store on the site.

I'm sorry. Yeah, don't worry about it.

I'm sorry. Yeah, don't worry about it.

They buy a lot of product from us that we just direct ship to them, you know, that they use at their shows. I think they're at the Big Iron Show right now. And they travel around to some of these. So there's a lot of just corporate brands that we work with that we help with that as well. Cool. There's also, and this is another good point, there's also a lot of companies that we work with

They buy a lot of product from us that we just direct ship to them, you know, that they use at their shows. I think they're at the Big Iron Show right now. And they travel around to some of these. So there's a lot of just corporate brands that we work with that we help with that as well. Cool. There's also, and this is another good point, there's also a lot of companies that we work with

who have their own website. So they're not on farmfocus.com, but they have their own store, and we're on the back end. So they're selling all their stuff, and we're getting the day-to-day orders on the back end, and we're fulfilling them. So we become, at that point, a spot to do the production and the shipping for them.

who have their own website. So they're not on farmfocus.com, but they have their own store, and we're on the back end. So they're selling all their stuff, and we're getting the day-to-day orders on the back end, and we're fulfilling them. So we become, at that point, a spot to do the production and the shipping for them.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

Oh, boy.

Oh, boy.

There's definitely been. So one of the things that we try to uphold is the activity on the website. Because, again, we keep talking about Zach. So if Zach's going to sell X amount of items per month, And we have somebody on the website that's only selling two. It's not fair. No. You guys are selling more. It's four instead of two.

There's definitely been. So one of the things that we try to uphold is the activity on the website. Because, again, we keep talking about Zach. So if Zach's going to sell X amount of items per month, And we have somebody on the website that's only selling two. It's not fair. No. You guys are selling more. It's four instead of two.

And obviously we look at like the activity. Like what kind of effort are they putting in? And you can pretty much tell at some point when somebody's just like. They must be done with what they're doing.

And obviously we look at like the activity. Like what kind of effort are they putting in? And you can pretty much tell at some point when somebody's just like. They must be done with what they're doing.

We've had some of these brands that we've had conversations with and been like, hey, are you into this or are you not? And they just don't really have much to say.

We've had some of these brands that we've had conversations with and been like, hey, are you into this or are you not? And they just don't really have much to say.

They're like...

They're like...

And on top of that, we've had brands more or less fire us, you know, where they've been like, hey, this isn't working for me anymore. I want to go do something different.

And on top of that, we've had brands more or less fire us, you know, where they've been like, hey, this isn't working for me anymore. I want to go do something different.

Yeah, I mean, I'd say we're probably in the middle somewhere. We do a lot of that big stuff, but what it comes down to is what we were talking about earlier, is how much you're willing to buy. Gotcha. So when we've got to get that full-on custom stuff, like, If you're willing to purchase 150 of these, I can get them done for you. Got it.

Yeah, I mean, I'd say we're probably in the middle somewhere. We do a lot of that big stuff, but what it comes down to is what we were talking about earlier, is how much you're willing to buy. Gotcha. So when we've got to get that full-on custom stuff, like, If you're willing to purchase 150 of these, I can get them done for you. Got it.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, it's what we do. I mean, and we enjoy it, you know, so. We do our best, and like you said, creating those new designs and having an eye for that stuff, and it's just fun.

Yeah. Yeah, it's what we do. I mean, and we enjoy it, you know, so. We do our best, and like you said, creating those new designs and having an eye for that stuff, and it's just fun.

I think there probably is a number that you could put to that, but more of what I'm concerned with, it's just like when we started with Cole when he was so small, was just figuring out how engaged that person is. Got it. Yeah.

I think there probably is a number that you could put to that, but more of what I'm concerned with, it's just like when we started with Cole when he was so small, was just figuring out how engaged that person is. Got it. Yeah.

What's funny is most brands will start with, you know, they have a YouTube channel or whatever. And they're like, everybody's telling me they want a t-shirt. Everybody's telling me they want a hat. All I need to do is just get these out. They're going to sell like crazy. Every single time we get them out and it's just like, you got 10. Yeah.

What's funny is most brands will start with, you know, they have a YouTube channel or whatever. And they're like, everybody's telling me they want a t-shirt. Everybody's telling me they want a hat. All I need to do is just get these out. They're going to sell like crazy. Every single time we get them out and it's just like, you got 10. Yeah.

I mean, I'll be honest with you guys. We're excited to work with you guys because, as I said before, what's most important to us is working with like-minded folks. And I have a lot of confidence in what you guys are doing as well. So it's just, it's fun. And it's also a little bit of a change from what we're traditionally doing, you know, like with these sublimated shirts and so on and so forth.

I mean, I'll be honest with you guys. We're excited to work with you guys because, as I said before, what's most important to us is working with like-minded folks. And I have a lot of confidence in what you guys are doing as well. So it's just, it's fun. And it's also a little bit of a change from what we're traditionally doing, you know, like with these sublimated shirts and so on and so forth.

So my father was a police officer. He was 36, 37 years, somewhere in that range. So I grew up in a law enforcement family. He was also a volunteer fireman, a paramedic. My brother... went to the Air Force. My grandfather was in the Air Force. So those things have always been close to home. Also, the town that we went to school in is the home of Offutt Air Force Base.

So my father was a police officer. He was 36, 37 years, somewhere in that range. So I grew up in a law enforcement family. He was also a volunteer fireman, a paramedic. My brother... went to the Air Force. My grandfather was in the Air Force. So those things have always been close to home. Also, the town that we went to school in is the home of Offutt Air Force Base.

A lot of people are familiar with that. It's the home of STRATCOM and Strategic Air Command and all the things that go along there. So we've grown up around the military and first responders. So it's always been an important thing in my life. I think even this morning, we were talking about our son and And jobs and our kids.

A lot of people are familiar with that. It's the home of STRATCOM and Strategic Air Command and all the things that go along there. So we've grown up around the military and first responders. So it's always been an important thing in my life. I think even this morning, we were talking about our son and And jobs and our kids.

And I was telling Morgan, I was like, if I could rewind 20 years, I'd probably get involved in something like that. I probably would have a completely different path. Today, I'm on the local fire department. You know, that's fulfilling for me. So it's a passion of ours. So we figured, man, we've got a small business. You know, we're making some money. How do we give back?

And I was telling Morgan, I was like, if I could rewind 20 years, I'd probably get involved in something like that. I probably would have a completely different path. Today, I'm on the local fire department. You know, that's fulfilling for me. So it's a passion of ours. So we figured, man, we've got a small business. You know, we're making some money. How do we give back?

Yeah, man.

Yeah, man.

Not only to the local school, which is super important, but to those causes. So someone like Zach, huge patriotic guy, he loves the Fourth of July. That's his favorite holiday. You know, so him and I are chatting and he's like, every year, let's do something around the Fourth of July. So that's what we've always done.

Not only to the local school, which is super important, but to those causes. So someone like Zach, huge patriotic guy, he loves the Fourth of July. That's his favorite holiday. You know, so him and I are chatting and he's like, every year, let's do something around the Fourth of July. So that's what we've always done.

It's been a fundraiser for some kind of cause that has something to do with the military and with veterans. The past few years, we were working with the Farmer Veteran Coalition. So we're raising money for them. They're helping veterans get into farming and getting them tools and equipment and so on and so forth. This past year, we interviewed a lady named Kim. What's her last name?

It's been a fundraiser for some kind of cause that has something to do with the military and with veterans. The past few years, we were working with the Farmer Veteran Coalition. So we're raising money for them. They're helping veterans get into farming and getting them tools and equipment and so on and so forth. This past year, we interviewed a lady named Kim. What's her last name?

We are, all of the above, all of the above. Before we kick off, though, I've got a little something here. Is this on video? Yes, it is. Okay, all right. Do you need a knife? I got one. Okay. Come on, man.

We are, all of the above, all of the above. Before we kick off, though, I've got a little something here. Is this on video? Yes, it is. Okay, all right. Do you need a knife? I got one. Okay. Come on, man.

Cavallis, I believe. She owns a brewery in Nebraska called Nebraska Brewing, and she is on the board of the 50 Mile March. So the 50 Mile March is an organization that does this walk from Lincoln to Nebraska, 50 miles over the course of 22 hours straight, and raises money for homeless veterans, for mental illness, and for housing, to help put housing together for them.

Cavallis, I believe. She owns a brewery in Nebraska called Nebraska Brewing, and she is on the board of the 50 Mile March. So the 50 Mile March is an organization that does this walk from Lincoln to Nebraska, 50 miles over the course of 22 hours straight, and raises money for homeless veterans, for mental illness, and for housing, to help put housing together for them.

Morgan is super competitive, and we interviewed this lady, and she was like, I'm doing it. And I was like, and she's looking at me and I'm like, I'm not doing it. I'm not, I'm not walking 50 miles. So she starts training for it. And we decide let's get the community together because we have to raise money for this thing. It's a fundraiser. So they only allowed this year, 150 walkers.

Morgan is super competitive, and we interviewed this lady, and she was like, I'm doing it. And I was like, and she's looking at me and I'm like, I'm not doing it. I'm not, I'm not walking 50 miles. So she starts training for it. And we decide let's get the community together because we have to raise money for this thing. It's a fundraiser. So they only allowed this year, 150 walkers.

Morgan was one of them that qualified and we had to raise $2,500 minimum. If we didn't raise it, it's coming out of our pocket because we made the commitment. And by way of our, our podcast and our farm focused brands that participated, which a bunch of the brands stepped up and said, hey, I want in. $5 of all their items got donated to this. We raised, what, $4,700, somewhere in that range.

Morgan was one of them that qualified and we had to raise $2,500 minimum. If we didn't raise it, it's coming out of our pocket because we made the commitment. And by way of our, our podcast and our farm focused brands that participated, which a bunch of the brands stepped up and said, hey, I want in. $5 of all their items got donated to this. We raised, what, $4,700, somewhere in that range.

That's great. Yeah, so Morgan went and competed. It was pretty crazy. It's a competition walk? Yeah, so I guess you wouldn't call it a competition in the Olympics? No, I know.

That's great. Yeah, so Morgan went and competed. It was pretty crazy. It's a competition walk? Yeah, so I guess you wouldn't call it a competition in the Olympics? No, I know.

I'm like... Yeah, it's not so much a competition.

I'm like... Yeah, it's not so much a competition.

Do you have a flashlight? Yeah, it gets dark sometimes.

Do you have a flashlight? Yeah, it gets dark sometimes.

Always been something that's important to us. And if we can leverage the community... The community is always willing to help, and they come in big, and we help these folks out.

Always been something that's important to us. And if we can leverage the community... The community is always willing to help, and they come in big, and we help these folks out.

Okay.

Okay.

Yes, it is. I listen to a lot of podcasts, and oftentimes the... The hosts have gifts for the guests. So anytime you guys want to break yours out, I'm ready.

Yes, it is. I listen to a lot of podcasts, and oftentimes the... The hosts have gifts for the guests. So anytime you guys want to break yours out, I'm ready.

And I think to your guys' point where you're talking about that fundraising that you did and what we've done, that's, again, that's one of the best things about this community. I mean, these people come on strong. You know, when you bring that stuff out and you start talking about trying to help someone, you know, our folks show up. Talk about your podcast a little bit.

And I think to your guys' point where you're talking about that fundraising that you did and what we've done, that's, again, that's one of the best things about this community. I mean, these people come on strong. You know, when you bring that stuff out and you start talking about trying to help someone, you know, our folks show up. Talk about your podcast a little bit.

I got my boosh. So you guys know what we do. So we brought a little gear, brought a couple items for the folks here at the Farm for Profit.

I got my boosh. So you guys know what we do. So we brought a little gear, brought a couple items for the folks here at the Farm for Profit.

We've been doing our podcast for a little over two years now. We call it Common Folk. It really just started out of this, well, a couple of things. One, you know, everyone wants more content. So we're like, all right, let's create some more content, drive some more traffic to the website.

We've been doing our podcast for a little over two years now. We call it Common Folk. It really just started out of this, well, a couple of things. One, you know, everyone wants more content. So we're like, all right, let's create some more content, drive some more traffic to the website.

But more than that, like I listen to a lot of podcasts and I listen to a lot of talk radio and so on and so forth. And especially with the talk radio and the news, I'm just getting tired of, you know, the slanted views and the agendas and all the things.

But more than that, like I listen to a lot of podcasts and I listen to a lot of talk radio and so on and so forth. And especially with the talk radio and the news, I'm just getting tired of, you know, the slanted views and the agendas and all the things.

And I thought, man, where can I go to listen to some common perspective, like the silent majority, the folks who we deal with every day, who aren't loud, you know, who are all just talking within their own communities and within their own circles, but what they say makes sense. You know, and again, it's a common perspective. So that's what it's been built off of. It's a common folk perspective.

And I thought, man, where can I go to listen to some common perspective, like the silent majority, the folks who we deal with every day, who aren't loud, you know, who are all just talking within their own communities and within their own circles, but what they say makes sense. You know, and again, it's a common perspective. So that's what it's been built off of. It's a common folk perspective.

We talk to

We talk to

entrepreneurs we talked to farmers we talked to ranchers we talked to police officers our episode that we that we put out this week was a re a replay from a little over a year ago with a police officer in a town close to us actually a kid that i grew up with that became a police officer and his primary role when he started was a school resource officer so we've recently seen some of these school shootings and we thought man and and school resource officers were involved

entrepreneurs we talked to farmers we talked to ranchers we talked to police officers our episode that we that we put out this week was a re a replay from a little over a year ago with a police officer in a town close to us actually a kid that i grew up with that became a police officer and his primary role when he started was a school resource officer so we've recently seen some of these school shootings and we thought man and and school resource officers were involved

So it's time to relaunch that. It's time to get the common folk perspective on school resource officers. Let's have a real conversation about that. You know, so it's those kinds of things. Some of it's serious. Some of it's joking around. The week before.

So it's time to relaunch that. It's time to get the common folk perspective on school resource officers. Let's have a real conversation about that. You know, so it's those kinds of things. Some of it's serious. Some of it's joking around. The week before.

The week before, what did we do? We talked about late night TV. We were talking about. You guys are probably too young. You might remember Tales from the Crypt. Do you remember that? I actually remember that. We were talking about that.

The week before, what did we do? We talked about late night TV. We were talking about. You guys are probably too young. You might remember Tales from the Crypt. Do you remember that? I actually remember that. We were talking about that.

Yeah, man, of course, of course. This is what we do. So we have, and I guess we'll get into that, but that's our favorite Farm Focus hat. Very badass. Very great hat. This is my recent favorite, the koozie. Oh, look at that. The banquet throwback. The old school. Old school banquet.

Yeah, man, of course, of course. This is what we do. So we have, and I guess we'll get into that, but that's our favorite Farm Focus hat. Very badass. Very great hat. This is my recent favorite, the koozie. Oh, look at that. The banquet throwback. The old school. Old school banquet.

We were talking about stupid late night TV shows. You know, just fun conversations.

We were talking about stupid late night TV shows. You know, just fun conversations.

Not very many people pull it off like you guys do. I think it's super hard to have just a bunch of guys. because I don't know what happens. Something happens. You guys do a great job with it.

Not very many people pull it off like you guys do. I think it's super hard to have just a bunch of guys. because I don't know what happens. Something happens. You guys do a great job with it.

Yeah, that's probably what it is. Yeah, that's a no. Radio. Radio. So I was like, we have to have a female. Who were we talking to the other day? We did a recording. Oh, we went out to, in O'Neill, Nebraska, there's a place called Handlebin. They make these copper mugs. You familiar with them? Yeah. So they got some super cool stuff. We go out to their shop. We interview those guys.

Yeah, that's probably what it is. Yeah, that's a no. Radio. Radio. So I was like, we have to have a female. Who were we talking to the other day? We did a recording. Oh, we went out to, in O'Neill, Nebraska, there's a place called Handlebin. They make these copper mugs. You familiar with them? Yeah. So they got some super cool stuff. We go out to their shop. We interview those guys.

We're chatting with them. It's two dudes that run the place. And myself and Andy and Morgan, we do the interview. And I talked to somebody who listened to it afterwards. And they're like, man, that was such a good interview. It was so entertaining. That's the first one I've heard from you. And they go, I'm so glad you have that girl on there.

We're chatting with them. It's two dudes that run the place. And myself and Andy and Morgan, we do the interview. And I talked to somebody who listened to it afterwards. And they're like, man, that was such a good interview. It was so entertaining. That's the first one I've heard from you. And they go, I'm so glad you have that girl on there.

Because otherwise it would have been just a bunch of drunk guys sitting around talking. I was like, yeah, you're right.

Because otherwise it would have been just a bunch of drunk guys sitting around talking. I was like, yeah, you're right.

Well, the thing about podcasts, you guys know.

Well, the thing about podcasts, you guys know.

There's a lot of podcasts, and there's more and more every day. Every time you turn around, you guys know. The difference is the people who stick with it and put in the effort. You know, you guys put in more effort, I think, than just about anybody in agriculture, and it shows. But it's sticking with it and continuing to do that work. And then those start kind of rising above.

There's a lot of podcasts, and there's more and more every day. Every time you turn around, you guys know. The difference is the people who stick with it and put in the effort. You know, you guys put in more effort, I think, than just about anybody in agriculture, and it shows. But it's sticking with it and continuing to do that work. And then those start kind of rising above.

Like, that's where, you know, where the cream rises. And there's a few of them, you know, that I really enjoy listening to. And then there's so many where it's like, okay, well, what's the next one? Right. You know.

Like, that's where, you know, where the cream rises. And there's a few of them, you know, that I really enjoy listening to. And then there's so many where it's like, okay, well, what's the next one? Right. You know.

They do get tight, yeah, but once you work it in.

They do get tight, yeah, but once you work it in.

Yeah, it's what he does, and he does it well, and it works, you know.

Yeah, it's what he does, and he does it well, and it works, you know.

Oh, every state, all kinds of countries. We ship international packages every other day.

Oh, every state, all kinds of countries. We ship international packages every other day.

That's really cool.

That's really cool.

Most of what we print is a district shirt.

Most of what we print is a district shirt.

yeah the district brand um i would definitely i would say probably people want t-shirts yeah and this time of year yeah it would be t-shirts and then here in the next month it's going to be hooded sweatshirts oh yeah that's kind of kind of seasonal yeah good hoodie right the uh and like you guys talked about earlier like kind of staying on top of trends the um the crew neck sweatshirt without the hood that's coming back man it's yeah and it's that that's not my thing i love hoodies

yeah the district brand um i would definitely i would say probably people want t-shirts yeah and this time of year yeah it would be t-shirts and then here in the next month it's going to be hooded sweatshirts oh yeah that's kind of kind of seasonal yeah good hoodie right the uh and like you guys talked about earlier like kind of staying on top of trends the um the crew neck sweatshirt without the hood that's coming back man it's yeah and it's that that's not my thing i love hoodies

And it's one of those things. It's like the more you use it, the better it gets. Got you guys a cup. Got you guys a coffee cup as well. Oh, look at that. And then got you guys some of our coffee.

And it's one of those things. It's like the more you use it, the better it gets. Got you guys a cup. Got you guys a coffee cup as well. Oh, look at that. And then got you guys some of our coffee.

I think they do make one of those, yeah. Oh. I think that's possible. Can you also have a chest pocket, too?

I think they do make one of those, yeah. Oh. I think that's possible. Can you also have a chest pocket, too?

No. Neon Dion was wearing one the other day. Did you?

No. Neon Dion was wearing one the other day. Did you?

Yeah.

Yeah.

The three-quarter, yeah.

The three-quarter, yeah.

Yeah, that's the funny thing about apparel, too, is, like, a lot of people are pretty particular about it. So I feel like a lot of what we carry is...

Yeah, that's the funny thing about apparel, too, is, like, a lot of people are pretty particular about it. So I feel like a lot of what we carry is...

We do. We do.

We do. We do.

Holy smokes. That is a exclusive blend. Blueberry pecan. Yeah, blueberry pecan.

Holy smokes. That is a exclusive blend. Blueberry pecan. Yeah, blueberry pecan.

It's pretty close to home for us, so it's nice to make the trip out and see the farm show and see folks.

It's pretty close to home for us, so it's nice to make the trip out and see the farm show and see folks.

So, farmfocused.com. I always spell it for people because it sounds like farm focus. Which is a different website. I've tried to buy it. I can't get it just because so many people do that.

So, farmfocused.com. I always spell it for people because it sounds like farm focus. Which is a different website. I've tried to buy it. I can't get it just because so many people do that.

It's you?

It's you?

Yeah, that's right. So, farmfocused, F-O-C-U-S-E-D.com. Stockandrod.com is where we have the outdoor merch. And then we're on all the socials and it's just farm focused on any of the socials. So, You can check that out. But you'll see all your favorite brands on there. There's an individual brand tab where you'll see all the farm folks.

Yeah, that's right. So, farmfocused, F-O-C-U-S-E-D.com. Stockandrod.com is where we have the outdoor merch. And then we're on all the socials and it's just farm focused on any of the socials. So, You can check that out. But you'll see all your favorite brands on there. There's an individual brand tab where you'll see all the farm folks.

And I got to say, I mean, there's a few companies that have popped up since we started doing this. Honestly, we were the original, and we just stumbled into it.

And I got to say, I mean, there's a few companies that have popped up since we started doing this. Honestly, we were the original, and we just stumbled into it.

I guess. I mean, I think people were probably doing it in other categories.

I guess. I mean, I think people were probably doing it in other categories.

And I'm a humble dude. But nobody does this better than we do. So if folks are looking for good quality stuff that you can be happy with, that you'll be proud to wear, we've got it. So come check it out.

And I'm a humble dude. But nobody does this better than we do. So if folks are looking for good quality stuff that you can be happy with, that you'll be proud to wear, we've got it. So come check it out.

That's great.

That's great.

So we've got what you guys were talking about earlier, the Farm Focus brand. That's what we're most known for. That's what we started in 2015. That's good. And then just within the last, it's been about the last year, we started the Stock and Rod brand, which is what this hat is. I see that. That is cool. That coffee's listed.

So we've got what you guys were talking about earlier, the Farm Focus brand. That's what we're most known for. That's what we started in 2015. That's good. And then just within the last, it's been about the last year, we started the Stock and Rod brand, which is what this hat is. I see that. That is cool. That coffee's listed.

So the Farm Focus brand obviously works with farm folks and in the rural ag community. And then Stock and Rod brand is more the outdoors, so hunting, fishing, camping, whatever. The brand is actually the hat. It's in the hat. It is, yep, yep. So you make the hat? We have them custom made, yeah. Really? Yep, yep. Those are some things to think about for you guys.

So the Farm Focus brand obviously works with farm folks and in the rural ag community. And then Stock and Rod brand is more the outdoors, so hunting, fishing, camping, whatever. The brand is actually the hat. It's in the hat. It is, yep, yep. So you make the hat? We have them custom made, yeah. Really? Yep, yep. Those are some things to think about for you guys.

Yeah, I know. So it's the same story with this, too, the way these are set up. Oh, man. There's weight to it. Yeah, they're nice. Yeah. Wow. You feel it?

Yeah, I know. So it's the same story with this, too, the way these are set up. Oh, man. There's weight to it. Yeah, they're nice. Yeah. Wow. You feel it?

Oh, it is. Thank you for that. Cool. So that's all for you guys.

Oh, it is. Thank you for that. Cool. So that's all for you guys.

Dave's getting yelled at for bending the... That looks good. You give it a little bend. It'll come back.

Dave's getting yelled at for bending the... That looks good. You give it a little bend. It'll come back.

It was just like a world of emptiness. I just didn't know where I was going. Well played. So smooth. I was just like blindly going through life.

It was just like a world of emptiness. I just didn't know where I was going. Well played. So smooth. I was just like blindly going through life.

uh so we i mean we grew up pretty differently um where we run farm focus today is at my family's property our we call it our farm we raced horses what kind of horses uh quarter horses paints um mostly that's like show horses yeah yep show horses yeah and my sister got big into barrel racing so she had some barrel horses that's what those you know is she crazy I can't comment on that.

uh so we i mean we grew up pretty differently um where we run farm focus today is at my family's property our we call it our farm we raced horses what kind of horses uh quarter horses paints um mostly that's like show horses yeah yep show horses yeah and my sister got big into barrel racing so she had some barrel horses that's what those you know is she crazy I can't comment on that.

Dave thinks they all are. Can chasing. So I was out there. Man, we moved out there when I was like eight years old and just kind of started living, I guess, that real life, which I really enjoyed. Grew up that way. And that was a big part of why I do or why we do what we do today because of growing up that way.

Dave thinks they all are. Can chasing. So I was out there. Man, we moved out there when I was like eight years old and just kind of started living, I guess, that real life, which I really enjoyed. Grew up that way. And that was a big part of why I do or why we do what we do today because of growing up that way.

You know, it's just something that you just keep going back to, you know, no matter what. But then I went to high school in the next town over, which was a bigger town, which is where Morgan lived. And there's two high schools in that town. So I was at one. She was at the other. I was at the better one.

You know, it's just something that you just keep going back to, you know, no matter what. But then I went to high school in the next town over, which was a bigger town, which is where Morgan lived. And there's two high schools in that town. So I was at one. She was at the other. I was at the better one.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Long story short, I worked for the city when I was a kid mowing, mowing like city parks and pools and stuff. She was a lifeguard.

Long story short, I worked for the city when I was a kid mowing, mowing like city parks and pools and stuff. She was a lifeguard.

I saw the lifeguard. I was like, hey, girl.

I saw the lifeguard. I was like, hey, girl.

From the lawnmower? Yeah, I gave her my number.

From the lawnmower? Yeah, I gave her my number.

Yeah, that was back in the day.

Yeah, that was back in the day.

How old are you? 42 or 43. Okay, that's us. Yeah, we're 42. Pagers were the thing, man. We didn't have cell phones. So we'd drive around town. The pager would go off. You'd have to stop and find a pay phone. And call whoever it was. Or they could send you a message and then you could call the number and you could listen to the message.

How old are you? 42 or 43. Okay, that's us. Yeah, we're 42. Pagers were the thing, man. We didn't have cell phones. So we'd drive around town. The pager would go off. You'd have to stop and find a pay phone. And call whoever it was. Or they could send you a message and then you could call the number and you could listen to the message.

Figure out what you're going to do or where you're going to go or whatever. But, yeah, man, so I gave her that. And, you know, she couldn't resist. One thing led to another.

Figure out what you're going to do or where you're going to go or whatever. But, yeah, man, so I gave her that. And, you know, she couldn't resist. One thing led to another.

Yeah, that's right. Except she wasn't older than me, but yeah.

Yeah, that's right. Except she wasn't older than me, but yeah.

The lawnmower went to the pool? We weren't allowed in the pool. We were the scrubs. We were the lawnmowers. So I'd go up to the fence. She's on the stand, and I'm like, hey. What are you doing? Come down here. Here's my number. She's like, I've got to watch the pool. I can't leave my seat. Weirdo.

The lawnmower went to the pool? We weren't allowed in the pool. We were the scrubs. We were the lawnmowers. So I'd go up to the fence. She's on the stand, and I'm like, hey. What are you doing? Come down here. Here's my number. She's like, I've got to watch the pool. I can't leave my seat. Weirdo.

What year was it? Oh, two ish.

What year was it? Oh, two ish.

Um, I went to college. We, we had a, we had our first child very young. Um, and you know, life got real. So college spread out quite a bit. It took me about seven or eight years to finish college with night school and things like that. Um, and worked, you know, just a bunch of jobs. I worked in some body shops, you know, did some automotive repairs and things like that.

Um, I went to college. We, we had a, we had our first child very young. Um, and you know, life got real. So college spread out quite a bit. It took me about seven or eight years to finish college with night school and things like that. Um, and worked, you know, just a bunch of jobs. I worked in some body shops, you know, did some automotive repairs and things like that.

Um, and then once I got school done, You know, I was like, all right, well, it's time to put this degree to work. So I got hired on with a major auto parts supplier. We spent about almost 10 years traveling around the U.S., getting assigned to, like, different territories, running stores for them. So in that corporate role. and it was good.

Um, and then once I got school done, You know, I was like, all right, well, it's time to put this degree to work. So I got hired on with a major auto parts supplier. We spent about almost 10 years traveling around the U.S., getting assigned to, like, different territories, running stores for them. So in that corporate role. and it was good.

I mean, I learned a ton, um, business wise and just people wise and management and all those kinds of things. And it was right up my alley with the degree that I got. Um, but it didn't take too long before I got real tired of that corporate BS and, you know, just they're having their thumb on you and how all that works.

I mean, I learned a ton, um, business wise and just people wise and management and all those kinds of things. And it was right up my alley with the degree that I got. Um, but it didn't take too long before I got real tired of that corporate BS and, you know, just they're having their thumb on you and how all that works.

So I remember we were in our last, the last stop was in Tennessee, which Tennessee was awesome. Um, and I hated my boss and I told, I told Morgan, I remember coming home one day, I'm like, If he says one more thing to me, I'm done. We're out of here. That's what Corey tells his wife.

So I remember we were in our last, the last stop was in Tennessee, which Tennessee was awesome. Um, and I hated my boss and I told, I told Morgan, I remember coming home one day, I'm like, If he says one more thing to me, I'm done. We're out of here. That's what Corey tells his wife.

And of course he did, and that was that. So just threw in the towel with little to no plans. I just told her, I was like, we have to go back home. I'm going to start a business. Screw it. I'm done dealing with these people. So I spent a good amount of time just trying to figure out what am I going to call this thing. You mentioned earlier the logo.

And of course he did, and that was that. So just threw in the towel with little to no plans. I just told her, I was like, we have to go back home. I'm going to start a business. Screw it. I'm done dealing with these people. So I spent a good amount of time just trying to figure out what am I going to call this thing. You mentioned earlier the logo.

Um, I just feel like I've always kind of had an eye for design, although I personally can't bring it to life. I can just kind of see it, uh, which is great. Why we have people working for us nowadays, like Sarah, you know, you guys know, uh, from the Welkers. Um, and so created the logo, um, created the brand name and came home and started the business.

Um, I just feel like I've always kind of had an eye for design, although I personally can't bring it to life. I can just kind of see it, uh, which is great. Why we have people working for us nowadays, like Sarah, you know, you guys know, uh, from the Welkers. Um, and so created the logo, um, created the brand name and came home and started the business.

I came home like four, probably four or five months before Morgan and the kids did.

I came home like four, probably four or five months before Morgan and the kids did.

And just started traveling and talking to farmers and working on farm focused. This was 2014. 2015? It was 2015 is when it was, yeah.

And just started traveling and talking to farmers and working on farm focused. This was 2014. 2015? It was 2015 is when it was, yeah.

I was going to say, I put it in my intro.

I was going to say, I put it in my intro.

It's design. We have graphic designers on staff that honestly are some of the best in the business. They've got an eye for these categories. And then we do the website development and the website hosting. We do the day-to-day production, the printing, the shipping, the after-the-fact customer service.

Yeah, so when I started the business, what the concept was was that we were going to get into ag and bring farmers...

mostly unknown efficiencies you know to the field and to the operation um so it was focused on the farm you know was the was the whole concept and then the logo and started doing hats and shirts and things like that from more of a marketing kind of standpoint i was working with guys on some biological uh products it was it was when that was really new on the scene um

And then also working on agricultural diesel tuning. So adding power and fuel efficiency to diesels. And that was all going pretty well, but the biological thing kind of got crazy. The big brands kind of took over and pushed everybody out. But meanwhile, the branding that we were doing was catching on and folks were wanting some of it. They were wanting some of the merch.

They were wanting some of the gear. So I started realizing like, Hey, we got something else going on here. So it never started as a merch company. It did not. No. Okay.

Yeah. Yeah. And the brand and the name and everything fit well. So I was like, well, we're. People want this gear and it's like a lifestyle. It's becoming a lifestyle of its own. So let's just start a website. We'll do that too. Might as well.

So we're in the basement, like, you know, packaging some orders and stuff. And meanwhile, I'm out during the day knocking on doors, trying to get farmers to treat their fields and tune their diesels and stuff like that. And the online thing kind of started growing. And I got in contact with Zach, the millennial farmer. and drove to Minnesota and tuned his combine.

Brought him a bunch of gear, and we talked about a bunch of things while I was there, and he said, man, I've got this YouTube thing going on. He wasn't super big at the time. He was probably 100,000, 150,000 YouTube. He's like, people keep asking me for gear. Like, this is what you do? Would you...

want to help and i'm like yeah man i think we could do that like that wasn't the plan yeah and it was harvest so those famous words yes yeah i think we could do this yeah i think we can do this like it's not that big of a deal so it was like october so we put together a couple of designs launched them he uh mentioned it obviously to his followers that went nutso that christmas was was crazy

Um, if you would have came into our basement, I mean, it was just, it was gear everywhere.

We called everybody we knew. We were like, dude, we need, we need you to put packages together. We need to label. We need to run to the post office, you know, all the things. got all that, got all that to work pretty well. And then, um, and then we said, all right, well, there's something here. Cause even Zach was like, man, I might sell 10 things. I might sell 10,000. I have no idea.

Well, he sold 10,000. And so it got, so then that got crazy. And we said, all right, this is real. Let's build him into the website and let's start running with this. And then the big YouTube guys, you know, they all talk to each other. So somebody talked to Zach and so on and so forth. And people started calling and said, Hey, we need some help with this. We need some help with this.

So next thing we know, I guess if you, if you were to fast forward to today, I think we're on like the fourth iteration of the website, you know, have gone through multiple different e-commerce platforms to figure out what works best. You know, we're now in our own building, which is just an old house on our, on our farm. You know, we have our own t-shirt printers.

We have our own embroidery machines at the time we were outsourcing all of that stuff. So one thing just continues to lead to another and that's what we're doing. So is it only influencers? Pretty much. I mean, everybody that's on our website has something to do with social media or YouTube in general. And then obviously the Farm Focus brand itself and the Stock and Rod brand itself.

And then on the Stock and Rod side of things, it's outdoor guys. Like one of Zach's best buddies, Target Focused Life, he's on the Stock and Rod website. He's an exhibition shotgun shooter and YouTube guy.

That's the types of stuff you do also? Yeah, that's a good question. I see what you're saying now. Yeah, we do a lot of one-off merchandise for farm folks. We have people call us all the time that just say, hey, I've got a family farm and I want 24 shirts. Can you help me with the design? Can you put it together? And we do. Yep.

there to sell swag like that if you're not set up properly for it it's almost more work than it's worth yeah and that's what most people realize and it's like that with anything you know anything that has to do with manufacturing or whatever um so that's where we've been able to streamline that and then also primarily focus on these categories so it's been you know super helpful for folks um and we do beginning to end so it's it's design we have graphic designers on staff that honestly are some of the best in the business they've got an eye for these categories um

And then we do the website development and the website hosting. We do the day-to-day production, the printing, the shipping, the after-the-fact customer service. The stuff that gets sent to people that buy from your brand or from anybody else's brand off of our website, our hands touch it. It comes directly from us. So we have a lot invested in making sure that that is good quality stuff.

The stuff that gets sent to people that buy from your brand or from anybody else's brand off of our website comes Our hands touch it. It comes directly from us. So we have a lot invested in making sure that that is good quality stuff.

What's the team look like? How many people you got? Morgan runs the day-to-day production at the print shop. And oftentimes it's just her doing that. And then I'm in filling in, doing a couple of things. And then throughout the different times of year, we've kind of got a pretty good idea of how the volume is going to flow throughout the year.

So obviously when we get into the fourth quarter, yeah, we get really busy. So we bring folks in and have a couple of part-time. It's usually college or high school kids, you know, out there helping us, working on some things, pretty straightforward stuff.

And then separate from that, as I mentioned earlier, our graphic designers, they're remote. So Sarah Welker, she's in, she's in Montana.

And she's, she's been with us for a number of years now. I don't know. There's no way we could do what we do without her. I mean, she just, she kills it. She's so creative and, and she also helps keep me on track. Like, and she's nice about it. Like she could be really mean to me cause I, cause I dropped the ball on things all the time.

And then we have a second graphic designer that's in Texas, Sierra, that Sarah kind of manages. And then we have someone in charge of our social media who's out in Idaho. So that's our crew.

We have, yeah. We've had people in and out.

In our inventory, we do have tens of thousands of dollars in inventory, but it's all blank goods. Yep. So we keep those blank goods around and then they're getting pulled off the shelf every day based on the previous day's orders. and getting ready for production and then printed and shipped.

Or even worse, you run out of one size, and then you're like, this is all I need, but the screen printer... We'll do a minimum of 48. I don't need 48. You know, how all that kind of thing works.

this i take i'm assuming there's a lot of skill and weird stuff i mean you guys are always talking about well that color bled you know that's not going to work or whatever yeah yeah that's i mean it's really all just been trial and error honestly um you know the machines like the investment in the machines to do this is you know expensive i mean the stuff's expensive flat out but we knew this is what we had to do in the route we needed to go so we just got the stuff you know and then the manufacturers send out a trainer and you work with them for a day and

you're more confused than when you started. And then you just start going, man, and you just start trying to figure it out. We've got a pile. I mean, a pile of messed up stuff.

No, when I say a pile, I'm talking about a pile.

Yeah. Yep. And normally that's what it is. It's some kind of misprint. So, you know, the printer moved when it shouldn't have or the color got screwed up.

And on top of that, like we are super picky, probably a little bit too much because sometimes folks will look at like our mess up pile and be like, what the hell's wrong with this?

Well, you see that little spot right there and they're like, oh my God, give me that, you know. But it's important.

Right. But when you think about it, man, like when you go and buy something and you're buying something from one of your favorite people that you follow, like you're excited to get that dang thing. And if there's something wrong with it, you know, that's disappointing. Like the experience is part of it, right? So we want to make sure that what you're getting, it's spot on.

Yeah. Where are we going?

And every now and then we'll ship something that we missed, you know, and someone will call and say, hey, I don't want to be mean, but I noticed this or whatever. Absolutely. Thank you for calling.

I've been waiting for this. I listened to a bunch of guys' episodes, so I've been waiting for this.

I'm like, God, I'm so sorry. The post office is rough on packages.

There's no question that the number one problem that we have is shipping. And it's from all aspects. It's from packaging. It's from how the packages get handled. It's the price component. It's working with these shippers. It's lost packages. I can help you with that.

What we do today, we try to be very transparent with people because shipping is a hot topic, man. So, we... We use a platform as well. We use ShipStation currently. And that integrates with our website. And it takes your package, which is basically your package weight, everything that you have in the cart. And it takes your zip code and it hits the post office.

It hits UPS and it comes back with a price. And then it takes that price and we add anywhere from like 50 cents to a dollar to that price. So completely transparent. We don't make any money on shipping because that is the price to print that label. And then we have to pay for the box.

We have to pay for the packing material, the tape, the cool tape, you know, all the things that go along with that. So shipping is by no means a profit center for us. It's just a pass-through. So we get people, you know, who are like, oh, my God, I can't believe how much it is to ship a T-shirt. Sorry. But I'm not charging you anything for that. That's what the post office is charging. Yeah.

You know, so it's – and people – get it. Most people get it.

It is.

I'll tell you, man, I think the category that we deal with with

ag folks i feel like we have some of the most understanding customers that exist so people tend to be cool with you know a little bit more extended time compared to amazon every now and then we get somebody you know that's pissy or whatever but usually people are cool with that people understand how it works people are just happy to get these neat products

From their favorite YouTuber or whatever. So we have very little trouble with, you know, customer issues. People are, I mean, just this category of people are just good folks.

Yeah.

We'll talk to people. Yeah. Sometimes somebody, some old timer I call, we'll be on the phone for 20 minutes just like. Hey, did you see Zach's video the other day? Yeah, man, I saw it. Oh, man, that guy, you know, blah, blah, blah.

It's the same. I mean, I would say it's the same as what I said about the customers. Like, the folks who are in social media and YouTube and whatever in this category, they're just good folks. There's not any of them that we've run into that we would be like, I wouldn't have a beer with those guys.

Yeah, I'm torn with that because we want to get bigger, but we want to make sure that we still are able to provide that really good customer service. Also, you know, the next step is getting into a bigger facility. So it's like, you know, a big industrial building somewhere or something like that, which I'm torn because right now we're at the family farm. That's where we work every day.

It's quiet. You know, the dog's coming in and out of the door all day long. You know, mom's next door. She comes over and bothers you about whatever, maybe brings lunch, you know, that kind of stuff. So it's like that day-to-day is so much better than being in some industrial park somewhere pumping out T-shirts, you know. So it's...

Yeah. I mean, we definitely think about it. I mean, we definitely, we need to grow. We want to grow. There's a lot of things we could do. Like the Stock and Rod brand is new. I want to grow that. I want Farm Focus to also, just itself for that brand to continue to grow and be something cool, you know, that it can stand alone if it needs to. There's a lot of things, you know, that we want to do.

But right now, I mean, we're doing good. It's fun, you know.

Cole's pretty innovative. He looks at a lot of stuff. We do vaccination coolers with him. There's vaccination coolers on the website. One of his partners...

Yeah, the bobblehead thing was funny. Yeah, we had these bobbleheads custom made. Like somehow I came across somebody that was doing these. It was some dude in New York. I contacted him. He's got a factory in China. They started making these things out of clay, and they were sending me clay pictures like they're hand molding Zach.

And I sent it to Zach, and he'd be like, ah, you know, I need him to change my sunglasses a little bit or whatever. You know, like they're doing this, and then they're hand painting them, and then we get a picture, and it's done, and I'm like, this is hilarious, dude. And he was like, he was on board with it. You know, at first we got them all and I showed it to him and he was like,

Ooh, I don't know if I want to sell those. I mean, it was him. It's him a hundred percent.

Those things have been a game for like the last five years. Yeah.

I'm ready to go to battle, man. Let's go!

And I don't blame him. Like it is strange. Like you're selling a little thing of yourself, but, um, we had a lot of fun with those. We just sold the last ones at foreign progress a few weeks ago. Yeah. And we've just, they've just been kind of fun, but I don't know what else would be different.

Yeah, I mean, any of that stuff is possible. Yeah, I mean, there's companies out there, you know, just a matter of finding who's willing to do those kinds of things and who's willing to partner. The downside in the merch game is that when you get into that full-on custom stuff, you end up having to get some kind of quantity. Yep. You know? So you've got to get a ton of stuff up front.

And then you've got to figure out how to sell it. So wear the T-shirt and the hat thing. Like we talked about earlier, we're making most of those one by one by one, so it's very easy for people. There's not a big inventory investment. It's just kind of you're investing as you're going.

That's right.

Current second would be Larson or Colesani.

Cornstar does pretty well as well. Yeah. Dr. Hake, Cafet, Marissa Hake. I don't know if you guys have met her.

Another one, obviously, is Welker's. They're big on the website. How does Sharky's stuff sell? Man, Rob does good, but here's the thing, and this is what I tell everybody. What we do is we make sure that your customer gets a really good product and gets good service. We don't sell it. We're on social media.

We'll advertise it here and there, but we can't have even half, even a quarter of the impact that you can have. So if the influencer, if the brand decides they want to advertise it, they're going to sell it. Rob, solid dude, doesn't advertise it. So people come to our website and they see the stuff and they'll buy it. Got to get them there. Yeah, if he talked about it.

And that's the other cool thing about our website is that it's become like this forum for these ag brands. So, you know, you talk about Zach, like a lot of people are visiting the website to see Zach's stuff. They know it's there. But then they see, oh, this exists and this exists and this exists. Probably 60% of our carts are multi-branded.

For sure. And honestly, our prices are super competitive. We could charge another probably 20% over what we charge right now. But it was decided early on that we want to make this stuff as affordable as possible. There's a lot of kids that are into these brands and they want to get something and they don't have a ton of money or whatever. Maybe some rural folks that don't have a ton of money.

We want to make sure that we try to make it as accessible as possible. So that's always been that.

Yeah.

There's always new ones out there. And one of the things that's cool, like we talked about Cole Sonny earlier, He contacted us and he said, I want to be on the website. I want to sell something. When he did that, he was very small. So we've been with him from the beginning and he's gotten big. So that's an awesome success story. He's done a phenomenal job.

But when I look at, I always try to pay attention to social media, obviously. And there's a few folks today that I've been messaging and just trying to get their ear and try to talk to them to see if they want to do it. The biggest one, and you guys know who it is right now, who I'm hoping that someday we can work with, is that little John Deere boy, Jackson. I just texted his dad.

literally sitting here i'm like yeah does he have an apparel line yeah and you you've talked to him so i think it's his mom i don't know for sure but we've been messaging a little bit you know over email we were supposed to meet at farm progress it didn't happen but it's brands like that that we see and we go it we want to make sure that everybody's on the website is you know the same of the same state of mind you know we all can easily work together they seem like good folks it's not just about you know trying to make some money it's about working with good people and they seem great

So I think that would be a fun one, you know, amongst a number of other ones. On the stock and rod side, I'm talking to, you know, hunting personalities, fishing personalities, you know, the people in that space all the time, trying to get people to come on and give us a shot and let us try to help them with some merch.

Yeah, like competitive. Yeah.

Hey, it's all right. It's pretty typical.

That's a great point. I mean, there is a couple of them that we work with. The biggest one would be probably the Red E brand. So I'm sure you guys have seen some of their stuff. They work with air seeders. They rebuild air seeders. They're up in North Dakota. Wow. Solid folks. They contacted us early on, wanted us to help them with their merch game. They have a store on the site.

I'm sorry. Yeah, don't worry about it.

They buy a lot of product from us that we just direct ship to them, you know, that they use at their shows. I think they're at the Big Iron Show right now. And they travel around to some of these. So there's a lot of just corporate brands that we work with that we help with that as well. Cool. There's also, and this is another good point, there's also a lot of companies that we work with

who have their own website. So they're not on farmfocus.com, but they have their own store, and we're on the back end. So they're selling all their stuff, and we're getting the day-to-day orders on the back end, and we're fulfilling them. So we become, at that point, a spot to do the production and the shipping for them.

Absolutely.

Oh, boy.

There's definitely been. So one of the things that we try to uphold is the activity on the website. Because, again, we keep talking about Zach. So if Zach's going to sell X amount of items per month, And we have somebody on the website that's only selling two. It's not fair. No. You guys are selling more. It's four instead of two.

And obviously we look at like the activity. Like what kind of effort are they putting in? And you can pretty much tell at some point when somebody's just like. They must be done with what they're doing.

We've had some of these brands that we've had conversations with and been like, hey, are you into this or are you not? And they just don't really have much to say.

They're like...

And on top of that, we've had brands more or less fire us, you know, where they've been like, hey, this isn't working for me anymore. I want to go do something different.

Yeah, I mean, I'd say we're probably in the middle somewhere. We do a lot of that big stuff, but what it comes down to is what we were talking about earlier, is how much you're willing to buy. Gotcha. So when we've got to get that full-on custom stuff, like, If you're willing to purchase 150 of these, I can get them done for you. Got it.

Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah, it's what we do. I mean, and we enjoy it, you know, so. We do our best, and like you said, creating those new designs and having an eye for that stuff, and it's just fun.

I think there probably is a number that you could put to that, but more of what I'm concerned with, it's just like when we started with Cole when he was so small, was just figuring out how engaged that person is. Got it. Yeah.

What's funny is most brands will start with, you know, they have a YouTube channel or whatever. And they're like, everybody's telling me they want a t-shirt. Everybody's telling me they want a hat. All I need to do is just get these out. They're going to sell like crazy. Every single time we get them out and it's just like, you got 10. Yeah.

I mean, I'll be honest with you guys. We're excited to work with you guys because, as I said before, what's most important to us is working with like-minded folks. And I have a lot of confidence in what you guys are doing as well. So it's just, it's fun. And it's also a little bit of a change from what we're traditionally doing, you know, like with these sublimated shirts and so on and so forth.

So my father was a police officer. He was 36, 37 years, somewhere in that range. So I grew up in a law enforcement family. He was also a volunteer fireman, a paramedic. My brother... went to the Air Force. My grandfather was in the Air Force. So those things have always been close to home. Also, the town that we went to school in is the home of Offutt Air Force Base.

A lot of people are familiar with that. It's the home of STRATCOM and Strategic Air Command and all the things that go along there. So we've grown up around the military and first responders. So it's always been an important thing in my life. I think even this morning, we were talking about our son and And jobs and our kids.

And I was telling Morgan, I was like, if I could rewind 20 years, I'd probably get involved in something like that. I probably would have a completely different path. Today, I'm on the local fire department. You know, that's fulfilling for me. So it's a passion of ours. So we figured, man, we've got a small business. You know, we're making some money. How do we give back?

Yeah, man.

Not only to the local school, which is super important, but to those causes. So someone like Zach, huge patriotic guy, he loves the Fourth of July. That's his favorite holiday. You know, so him and I are chatting and he's like, every year, let's do something around the Fourth of July. So that's what we've always done.

It's been a fundraiser for some kind of cause that has something to do with the military and with veterans. The past few years, we were working with the Farmer Veteran Coalition. So we're raising money for them. They're helping veterans get into farming and getting them tools and equipment and so on and so forth. This past year, we interviewed a lady named Kim. What's her last name?

We are, all of the above, all of the above. Before we kick off, though, I've got a little something here. Is this on video? Yes, it is. Okay, all right. Do you need a knife? I got one. Okay. Come on, man.

Cavallis, I believe. She owns a brewery in Nebraska called Nebraska Brewing, and she is on the board of the 50 Mile March. So the 50 Mile March is an organization that does this walk from Lincoln to Nebraska, 50 miles over the course of 22 hours straight, and raises money for homeless veterans, for mental illness, and for housing, to help put housing together for them.

Morgan is super competitive, and we interviewed this lady, and she was like, I'm doing it. And I was like, and she's looking at me and I'm like, I'm not doing it. I'm not, I'm not walking 50 miles. So she starts training for it. And we decide let's get the community together because we have to raise money for this thing. It's a fundraiser. So they only allowed this year, 150 walkers.

Morgan was one of them that qualified and we had to raise $2,500 minimum. If we didn't raise it, it's coming out of our pocket because we made the commitment. And by way of our, our podcast and our farm focused brands that participated, which a bunch of the brands stepped up and said, hey, I want in. $5 of all their items got donated to this. We raised, what, $4,700, somewhere in that range.

That's great. Yeah, so Morgan went and competed. It was pretty crazy. It's a competition walk? Yeah, so I guess you wouldn't call it a competition in the Olympics? No, I know.

I'm like... Yeah, it's not so much a competition.

Do you have a flashlight? Yeah, it gets dark sometimes.

Always been something that's important to us. And if we can leverage the community... The community is always willing to help, and they come in big, and we help these folks out.

Okay.

Yes, it is. I listen to a lot of podcasts, and oftentimes the... The hosts have gifts for the guests. So anytime you guys want to break yours out, I'm ready.

And I think to your guys' point where you're talking about that fundraising that you did and what we've done, that's, again, that's one of the best things about this community. I mean, these people come on strong. You know, when you bring that stuff out and you start talking about trying to help someone, you know, our folks show up. Talk about your podcast a little bit.

I got my boosh. So you guys know what we do. So we brought a little gear, brought a couple items for the folks here at the Farm for Profit.

We've been doing our podcast for a little over two years now. We call it Common Folk. It really just started out of this, well, a couple of things. One, you know, everyone wants more content. So we're like, all right, let's create some more content, drive some more traffic to the website.

But more than that, like I listen to a lot of podcasts and I listen to a lot of talk radio and so on and so forth. And especially with the talk radio and the news, I'm just getting tired of, you know, the slanted views and the agendas and all the things.

And I thought, man, where can I go to listen to some common perspective, like the silent majority, the folks who we deal with every day, who aren't loud, you know, who are all just talking within their own communities and within their own circles, but what they say makes sense. You know, and again, it's a common perspective. So that's what it's been built off of. It's a common folk perspective.

We talk to

entrepreneurs we talked to farmers we talked to ranchers we talked to police officers our episode that we that we put out this week was a re a replay from a little over a year ago with a police officer in a town close to us actually a kid that i grew up with that became a police officer and his primary role when he started was a school resource officer so we've recently seen some of these school shootings and we thought man and and school resource officers were involved

So it's time to relaunch that. It's time to get the common folk perspective on school resource officers. Let's have a real conversation about that. You know, so it's those kinds of things. Some of it's serious. Some of it's joking around. The week before.

The week before, what did we do? We talked about late night TV. We were talking about. You guys are probably too young. You might remember Tales from the Crypt. Do you remember that? I actually remember that. We were talking about that.

Yeah, man, of course, of course. This is what we do. So we have, and I guess we'll get into that, but that's our favorite Farm Focus hat. Very badass. Very great hat. This is my recent favorite, the koozie. Oh, look at that. The banquet throwback. The old school. Old school banquet.

We were talking about stupid late night TV shows. You know, just fun conversations.

Not very many people pull it off like you guys do. I think it's super hard to have just a bunch of guys. because I don't know what happens. Something happens. You guys do a great job with it.

Yeah, that's probably what it is. Yeah, that's a no. Radio. Radio. So I was like, we have to have a female. Who were we talking to the other day? We did a recording. Oh, we went out to, in O'Neill, Nebraska, there's a place called Handlebin. They make these copper mugs. You familiar with them? Yeah. So they got some super cool stuff. We go out to their shop. We interview those guys.

We're chatting with them. It's two dudes that run the place. And myself and Andy and Morgan, we do the interview. And I talked to somebody who listened to it afterwards. And they're like, man, that was such a good interview. It was so entertaining. That's the first one I've heard from you. And they go, I'm so glad you have that girl on there.

Because otherwise it would have been just a bunch of drunk guys sitting around talking. I was like, yeah, you're right.

Well, the thing about podcasts, you guys know.

There's a lot of podcasts, and there's more and more every day. Every time you turn around, you guys know. The difference is the people who stick with it and put in the effort. You know, you guys put in more effort, I think, than just about anybody in agriculture, and it shows. But it's sticking with it and continuing to do that work. And then those start kind of rising above.

Like, that's where, you know, where the cream rises. And there's a few of them, you know, that I really enjoy listening to. And then there's so many where it's like, okay, well, what's the next one? Right. You know.

They do get tight, yeah, but once you work it in.

Yeah, it's what he does, and he does it well, and it works, you know.

Oh, every state, all kinds of countries. We ship international packages every other day.

That's really cool.

Most of what we print is a district shirt.

yeah the district brand um i would definitely i would say probably people want t-shirts yeah and this time of year yeah it would be t-shirts and then here in the next month it's going to be hooded sweatshirts oh yeah that's kind of kind of seasonal yeah good hoodie right the uh and like you guys talked about earlier like kind of staying on top of trends the um the crew neck sweatshirt without the hood that's coming back man it's yeah and it's that that's not my thing i love hoodies

And it's one of those things. It's like the more you use it, the better it gets. Got you guys a cup. Got you guys a coffee cup as well. Oh, look at that. And then got you guys some of our coffee.

I think they do make one of those, yeah. Oh. I think that's possible. Can you also have a chest pocket, too?

No. Neon Dion was wearing one the other day. Did you?

Yeah.

The three-quarter, yeah.

Yeah, that's the funny thing about apparel, too, is, like, a lot of people are pretty particular about it. So I feel like a lot of what we carry is...

We do. We do.

Holy smokes. That is a exclusive blend. Blueberry pecan. Yeah, blueberry pecan.

It's pretty close to home for us, so it's nice to make the trip out and see the farm show and see folks.

So, farmfocused.com. I always spell it for people because it sounds like farm focus. Which is a different website. I've tried to buy it. I can't get it just because so many people do that.

It's you?

Yeah, that's right. So, farmfocused, F-O-C-U-S-E-D.com. Stockandrod.com is where we have the outdoor merch. And then we're on all the socials and it's just farm focused on any of the socials. So, You can check that out. But you'll see all your favorite brands on there. There's an individual brand tab where you'll see all the farm folks.

And I got to say, I mean, there's a few companies that have popped up since we started doing this. Honestly, we were the original, and we just stumbled into it.

I guess. I mean, I think people were probably doing it in other categories.

And I'm a humble dude. But nobody does this better than we do. So if folks are looking for good quality stuff that you can be happy with, that you'll be proud to wear, we've got it. So come check it out.

That's great.

So we've got what you guys were talking about earlier, the Farm Focus brand. That's what we're most known for. That's what we started in 2015. That's good. And then just within the last, it's been about the last year, we started the Stock and Rod brand, which is what this hat is. I see that. That is cool. That coffee's listed.

So the Farm Focus brand obviously works with farm folks and in the rural ag community. And then Stock and Rod brand is more the outdoors, so hunting, fishing, camping, whatever. The brand is actually the hat. It's in the hat. It is, yep, yep. So you make the hat? We have them custom made, yeah. Really? Yep, yep. Those are some things to think about for you guys.

Yeah, I know. So it's the same story with this, too, the way these are set up. Oh, man. There's weight to it. Yeah, they're nice. Yeah. Wow. You feel it?

Oh, it is. Thank you for that. Cool. So that's all for you guys.

Dave's getting yelled at for bending the... That looks good. You give it a little bend. It'll come back.

It was just like a world of emptiness. I just didn't know where I was going. Well played. So smooth. I was just like blindly going through life.

uh so we i mean we grew up pretty differently um where we run farm focus today is at my family's property our we call it our farm we raced horses what kind of horses uh quarter horses paints um mostly that's like show horses yeah yep show horses yeah and my sister got big into barrel racing so she had some barrel horses that's what those you know is she crazy I can't comment on that.

Dave thinks they all are. Can chasing. So I was out there. Man, we moved out there when I was like eight years old and just kind of started living, I guess, that real life, which I really enjoyed. Grew up that way. And that was a big part of why I do or why we do what we do today because of growing up that way.

You know, it's just something that you just keep going back to, you know, no matter what. But then I went to high school in the next town over, which was a bigger town, which is where Morgan lived. And there's two high schools in that town. So I was at one. She was at the other. I was at the better one.

Yeah.

Long story short, I worked for the city when I was a kid mowing, mowing like city parks and pools and stuff. She was a lifeguard.

I saw the lifeguard. I was like, hey, girl.

From the lawnmower? Yeah, I gave her my number.

Yeah, that was back in the day.

How old are you? 42 or 43. Okay, that's us. Yeah, we're 42. Pagers were the thing, man. We didn't have cell phones. So we'd drive around town. The pager would go off. You'd have to stop and find a pay phone. And call whoever it was. Or they could send you a message and then you could call the number and you could listen to the message.

Figure out what you're going to do or where you're going to go or whatever. But, yeah, man, so I gave her that. And, you know, she couldn't resist. One thing led to another.

Yeah, that's right. Except she wasn't older than me, but yeah.

The lawnmower went to the pool? We weren't allowed in the pool. We were the scrubs. We were the lawnmowers. So I'd go up to the fence. She's on the stand, and I'm like, hey. What are you doing? Come down here. Here's my number. She's like, I've got to watch the pool. I can't leave my seat. Weirdo.

What year was it? Oh, two ish.

Um, I went to college. We, we had a, we had our first child very young. Um, and you know, life got real. So college spread out quite a bit. It took me about seven or eight years to finish college with night school and things like that. Um, and worked, you know, just a bunch of jobs. I worked in some body shops, you know, did some automotive repairs and things like that.

Um, and then once I got school done, You know, I was like, all right, well, it's time to put this degree to work. So I got hired on with a major auto parts supplier. We spent about almost 10 years traveling around the U.S., getting assigned to, like, different territories, running stores for them. So in that corporate role. and it was good.

I mean, I learned a ton, um, business wise and just people wise and management and all those kinds of things. And it was right up my alley with the degree that I got. Um, but it didn't take too long before I got real tired of that corporate BS and, you know, just they're having their thumb on you and how all that works.

So I remember we were in our last, the last stop was in Tennessee, which Tennessee was awesome. Um, and I hated my boss and I told, I told Morgan, I remember coming home one day, I'm like, If he says one more thing to me, I'm done. We're out of here. That's what Corey tells his wife.

And of course he did, and that was that. So just threw in the towel with little to no plans. I just told her, I was like, we have to go back home. I'm going to start a business. Screw it. I'm done dealing with these people. So I spent a good amount of time just trying to figure out what am I going to call this thing. You mentioned earlier the logo.

Um, I just feel like I've always kind of had an eye for design, although I personally can't bring it to life. I can just kind of see it, uh, which is great. Why we have people working for us nowadays, like Sarah, you know, you guys know, uh, from the Welkers. Um, and so created the logo, um, created the brand name and came home and started the business.

I came home like four, probably four or five months before Morgan and the kids did.

And just started traveling and talking to farmers and working on farm focused. This was 2014. 2015? It was 2015 is when it was, yeah.

I was going to say, I put it in my intro.