KC hat maker’s sales soar after national news spotlight, capping year with validation: Made-in-the-USA still sells
December 21, 2024 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Santa came early for Sandlot Goods — in the form of an ABC World News producer, said Garret Prather.
Garret Prather, Sandlot Goods
On Dec. 13, Kansas City’s only local hat manufacturer was featured on the “Made In America Christmas” segment on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir.
“Forty-five workers, 10 new hires, and 115,00 hats this year, many of them soon under the Christmas tree,” Muir mentioned during the segment.
Within just a few hours of the broadcast, Sandlot saw a 700-percent increase in its daily online sales average, noted Prather, the vice president of strategic partnerships for Sandlot, one of Startland News’ Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2023.
A Sandlot Goods hat going through the shaping process at the company’s Kansas City production site; photo courtesy of Sandlot Goods
A Sandlot Goods worker sews one of the Kansas City company’s popular green dad hats, crafted for the “New Heights” podcast featuring Travis and Jason Kelce, in partnership with Homage; courtesy photo
“Momentum has continued after that, including requests on our custom bulk order side,” he continued. “But that initial spike had us all scrambling to answer the online chats and then quickly get orders fulfilled.”
Sandlot is currently running a 15 percent off sale — using code ABC — in appreciation for being showcased, he added.
Prather said it feels reassuring to see the Kansas City company featured on the national news.
“The response from the national audience told us we are on the right track,” he explained, “both with our designs — but just as important — with our belief there is a wide appeal for ball caps made in the USA that are also high quality.”
Sandlot learned they would be highlighted on the national news a week before the segment aired when a producer from ABC World News reached out on the website chat, Prather shared.
“From there, it was a quick scramble to create the content and send it over for their team to edit for the segment,” he explained. “Huge credit to our team, and in particular Blake Hamilton, who did the filming.”
2024 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Route to Mr. K Award runs through Union Station: See which small businesses may have a ticket for Chamber’s top honor
Editor’s note: The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce is a non-financial partner of Startland News, which serves as the media partner for the Small Business Superstars program. Being recognized as one of the KC Chamber’s 2023 award nominees hasn’t fully sunk in for Dr. Karen Patrice Boyd, she said Tuesday amid dozens of her…
Founder to founder: One day you’re eating cheap ramen, the next you’re KC’s big exit story; struggles define startups as much as success
Even after building a startup into one of Kansas City’s biggest exit success stories, the entrepreneurs and leaders behind BacklotCars don’t sit around to talk about their grand achievements when they reunite, said Anders Ericson; they reminisce about how the tech company nearly went out of business along the way. “Everyone always wants to ask…
KC Pioneers to their visiting Aussie players: Feel what it’s like to have an entire city behind you
Playing professional esports has given 17-year-old Ethan Klumpp an opportunity to travel the world; Kansas City has been one of the most livable cities he’s visited yet, he shared. “My experience in Kansas City, it’s different from the other U.S. cities that I’ve been in,” said Klumpp, an Australian who plays for the Kansas City…
Kelce Jam set for April 28: KC’s favorite tight-end is bringing a new music festival in time for NFL Draft weekend
The celebration continues, said Travis Kelce, announcing Tuesday his first-ever personal music festival — Kelce Jam — on the heels of the star Chiefs player’s Super Bowl victory alongside Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the two-time championship squad. “The Super Bowl victory lap is not over yet,” Kelce said in a press release announcing the April…