PPB October 2019

Orde rMyGea r many new stores,” she says. OrderMyGear frequently hears from distributors that they only set up online stores for their larger customers, because of the time and expense required. But through OrderMyGear's platform, distributors can offer this service to more of their clients, no matter their size. OrderMyGear makes order processing easier because it was purposely created to do so. Actually, when Kent McKeaigg founded the company, he did so in search of a solution for his father, Ronnie McKeaigg—to help himmove towards using technology. Ronnie sold team gear for more than 35 years, but he did so the traditional way: by collecting paper orders from parents of children on teams, along with cash and checks, which proved time-consuming. The solution, Kent found, was to develop an online platform for his dad, which allowed the opening of virtual stores to serve these individual teams. The idea not only took off, but it was a hit, and Kent became CEO in 2015. In 2019, Dave Dutch joined the company as CEO, and with experience in private equity and growing companies, he’s dedicated his skillset to expanding by building a solid team of professionals. Since its start, OrderMyGear has grown to more than 100 employees with 3,000 accounts serving 6,000 reps and 3.6 million consumers— all without paper orders. The company has sold more than $1 billion in product through its platform, and by the end of 2019, they expect to have opened more than 160,000 stores. But aside from the business aspect, the experience of buying team apparel and receiving it together, as a team, leaves an imprint in recipients’ minds. “In high school and middle school sports, there’s something about the fraternity and that bonding. If you’re with 15 kids buying [teammerch] as a team, buying it through the [virtual] shop, there’s something more to that than saying, 'Hey, I saw a t-shirt we should all get at the store,'” says Matt Kaplan, vice president of customer success. “It’s also putting individuals, groups and organizations in touch with the ability to share their message, who otherwise may not have access, or may be unaware, of how to do so.” Aligned with bridging old methods with newer and easier processes, OrderMyGear is housed in a historic, remodeled building in downtown Dallas. Built in 1908, it bears the bones of its former life as Dallas’s first Cadillac dealer; the crest still preserved on the lobby floor. The building spans three floors of open concept work space with a minimalistic design and maintains an industrial look—true to its roots—with exposed brick and piping, and weathered hardwood floors. And to connect old with new, the facility includes games for employees and a rooftop terrace overlooking the Dallas skyline. Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB. The headquarters is housed in an industrial- style building that honors its traditional look and feel, combined with minimalistic and sleek décor that offers modern refresh. Alignedwith bridging old methodswith newer and easier processes, OrderMyGear is housed in a historic, remodeled building in downtownDallas. 84 | OCTOBER 2019 | THINK