How Collars & Co. Went from Side Hustle to Shark Tank Success

What do you get when you mix a million-dollar ad budget, a stiff collar, and a Shark Tank deal? A menswear revolution you’ll actually want to wear.

In this energetic and inspiring conversation, Adrienne Barker interviews Justin Baer, the founder of Collars & Co., a premium menswear brand that redefined the humble polo shirt. Justin shares how a simple discomfort—wearing dress shirts under sweaters—sparked a viral product idea that led him all the way to Shark Tank, where he landed deals with Mark Cuban and Peter Jones. Hear how Collars & Co. is transforming branded apparel, why firm collars matter (yes, really), and how this founder turned a COVID-era side hustle into a powerhouse brand shipping over a million shirts. If you're in the promotional products world—or just love a good startup story—you'll want to hear this.

✅ 5 Key Takeaways

✅ Firm Collars, Big Vision: Collars & Co.’s signature stiff-collar polo was born out of a personal frustration—and it clicked with millions.

✅ Shark Tank Gold: Justin landed a deal with Mark Cuban and Peter Jones—and the deal actually closed, which only happens for 30% of contestants.

✅ From Idea to Industry Player: Collars & Co. now offers over 300 SKUs, including performance blazers, women’s polos, and embroidered merch.

✅ Perfect for Promo: With in-house embroidery and college licenses, Collars & Co. is disrupting the corporate apparel game with premium, stylish options.

✅ Marketing Muscle: They’re spending $1M/month on ads—and Justin shares how that strategy fuels growth across digital, podcast, and catalog channels.

💬 Quote to Share

“Your brand is everything. Even the pens and polos you hand out should reflect that.” – Justin Baer, Founder, Collars & Co.

🎯 Call to Action

👉 Want premium branded apparel your clients will actually wear?

Visit collarsandco.com and ask for Jordan for custom orders or distributor inquiries. 📬 Email: [e-mail] 🔗

And of course, don’t forget to Google “Collars & Co. Shark Tank update” to watch their journey on TV!