17 Oct Leaving Amazon to Buy a $3m Apparel Brand
Today’s guest spent 10 years at Amazon in a variety of roles, from running a $100m e-commerce P&L to developing the Just Walk Out grocery concept. And even with all that experience at a notoriously hard-driving company, there has still been quite the learning curve in his new role as business owner. Eric Bauer bought Turner Hat, a brand whose hats are sold at hardware stores, garden centers, travel centers. You’ll hear Eric say that he’s able to apply his Amazon experience about 40% of the time in his business; the other 60% is new and different. Listen for what that 60% is. So, note: Just because you’ve run a $100m P&L in corporate, it does not mean that running a $3m P&L small business is simpler & easier — just different. But regular listeners of Acquiring Minds already know that. Now in addition to a professional pivot, this was also a big lifestyle change; Eric pulled up stakes and moved from his native Seattle to Auburn, Alabama, where his acquisition is based. Enjoy this interview with Eric Bauer, owner of Turner Hat Company.
