Here’s something you don’t hear every day: Being naive can help you in business.
Shaun Neff, founder and CEO of Neff Headwear, launched his lifestyle brand in college. This meant he had his own business before he ever had a full-time job.
Starting out, he didn’t know a thing about finding manufacturers, setting up contracts with vendors, or doing deals with celebrities. Today, he has mastered all three, turning his eponymous brand into a business that generates more than $100 million in sales.
Neff Headwear sells beanies, hats, T-shirts, and accessories. Neff has worked with artists, actors and athletes such as Snoop Dogg, Scarlett Johansson, and Kevin Durant.
One of Neff’s proudest and most surreal moments as an entrepreneur came when he was listening to the radio in his car. He heard a countdown of the top three songs on the charts that day, and he realized he had made it.
“The top three songs, their music videos were all these individuals artists wearing my brand Neff,” he said. “The most glorifying piece of it is just to see people rocking these brands and using them and liking them and know that I helped create that.”
Watch the video above to learn more about Neff’s entrepreneurial journey.