Wild Bird's journey shows that even established brands hit plateaus. Founder Nate Gunn shares how a critical product pivot, coupled with strategic retail expansion into all Target stores and empowering key hires, reignited growth. This episode is a must-listen for DTC operators facing stagnation or considering omnichannel strategies.
Key takeaways
A product-market fit issue can severely limit growth, even with strong branding and marketing. Nate Gunn realized 'the brand is bigger than the revenue' but the product was holding them back.
Strategic retail expansion, like Wild Bird's move into all Target stores, can provide significant growth opportunities and increased security. However, it requires a robust operational foundation and effective buyer relationship management.
Empowering key hires with full ownership and autonomy is crucial for scaling a lean, remote team. Founders must learn to relinquish control and trust their team to make decisions and even mistakes.
Proactively managing relationships with retail buyers involves more than just selling. Wild Bird actively influenced Target's baby category strategy, demonstrating the importance of being a strategic partner.
Building 'moats' around the business through diversified channels and operational efficiency reduces volatility and creates long-term security, especially for founders seeking to build a legacy.
Nate Gunn spent nearly a decade building Wild Bird before it finally broke through. In this episode, Cody sits down with the co-founder and CEO to talk about what actually turned the business around — a full product pivot during COVID, two years of selling out on pre-orders, and the financial clarity that came from bringing in the right partners at the right time.Nate shares the three things that took Wild Bird from low seven figures to landing all 1,800 Target doors: getting honest about the product mix, investing in financial structure, and expanding into every channel where their customers actually shop.If you run a DTC brand and you have ever wondered whether the plateau you are in is a product problem, a marketing problem, or just a timing problem, this episode is worth your full attention.Subscribe for more conversations on DTC strategy, eCommerce marketing, paid media, and LTV optimization.👉 Grow your bottom line: https://www.kynship.co/ Tune in now. #TheBottomLine #DTCpodcast #ecommercegrowth #WildBird #targetretailKey Takeaways:00:00 Meet Nate Gunn, Co-Founder of Wild Bird01:28 Wild Bird's Two Existential Crisis Moments03:10 Considering Selling the Business05:08 Running Lean With Real Ownership06:40 Landing All 1,800 Target Doors13:28 The Full Pivot: Killing the Old Product Line18:02 Bringing in Fractional Partners for Financial Clarity21:50 The Loneliness of Running a Brand25:30 Why Founder Networks Matter33:00 How Wild Bird Chose the Right Agency40:50 The 3 Things That Turned Wild Bird Around44:30 Solving Patterns, Not One-Off ProblemsAdditional Resources:Featured Guest Nate Gunn, Co-Founder & CEO. WildBird <a href="https://wildbird.co" rel="noopener noreferrer" ta
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
A product-market fit issue can severely limit growth, even with strong branding and marketing. Nate Gunn realized 'the brand is bigger than the revenue' but the product was holding them back.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Strategic retail expansion, like Wild Bird's move into all Target stores, can provide significant growth opportunities and increased security. However, it requires a robust operational foundation and effective buyer relationship management.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Empowering key hires with full ownership and autonomy is crucial for scaling a lean, remote team. Founders must learn to relinquish control and trust their team to make decisions and even mistakes.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Proactively managing relationships with retail buyers involves more than just selling. Wild Bird actively influenced Target's baby category strategy, demonstrating the importance of being a strategic partner.
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Building 'moats' around the business through diversified channels and operational efficiency reduces volatility and creates long-term security, especially for founders seeking to build a legacy.
