From Inside Joke to 6-Figure DTC Brand - The Fatboy Story - The Shopify Growth Show (#12)

It started with a nickname. Then became a joke. And somehow… a 6-figure DTC brand. In this episode, Ryan Rock shares how Fatboy was born and how he turned culture, community, and UGC into a real business.

Jim sits down with Ryan Rock to tell the unconventional story behind Fatboy - a brand that started as a laugh between friends and ended up hitting six figures. From pop-up marketing to micro-influencer strategy, Ryan breaks down what it really takes to turn momentum into money (without VC money or fancy tactics).

Key Topics Covered:
  • How Fatboy started from an inside joke
  • The early wins and major milestones
  • UGC-first growth and creative content plays
  • Pop-ups, local events, and offline hustle
  • Building clubs and communities around the brand
  • Micro-influencer and word-of-mouth strategy
If you’re thinking about launching a DTC brand — or want to grow without paid ads — this episode is packed with scrappy tactics and founder truths.

Resources:
 
Additional episodes you might enjoy: