In episode 331 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Justin Baer, founder of Collars & Co., a direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) brand that’s flipping the switch on elevated dresswear with a comfortable twist. Listen in as Baer discusses his entrepreneurial background, the inspiration behind Collars & Co. shirts' unique design, and and rapid growth of the company following a viral TikTok video. He shares how the shifts to casualization in business and remote work has amplified the brand, and discusses the expansion of Collars & Co. product lines to offer more colors, sizes and collar styles.

In addition, Baer discusses the power of community and brand discovery on social media platforms like TikTok, the challenges of meeting increased demand and scaling a startup business, and how he's grown his team. He shares how he uses customer feedback to influence product design, his plans to expand the business in the future, and the customer-first culture he's building at Collars & Co.

After working on Wall Street for over 10 years, Justin Baer was all too familiar with the uncomfortable work uniforms of white-collar jobs. A serial entrepreneur, he sought out to create an innovative alternative to the conventional dress shirt that was flexible, breathable and comfortable, while still delivering on the same buttoned-up style. Justin is also the founder of MemberText and Textology, helping 400-plus businesses and clubs communicate more effectively, increase engagement, and generate more revenue through text message marketing.