Jared Doerfler, founder of Hanna Golf, joined The Brand Herald podcast. Hanna Golf makes handcrafted putters in Iowa. Jared discusses his journey from a corporate career in medical sales to pursuing his passion for golf and entrepreneurship. He touches on the fragility of life and the importance of pursuing one’s dreams. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, simplicity, and a focus on the process rather than just the results.
We talk about his personal story, including his college golf experience, his father’s health challenges with MS, and the inspiration behind Hanna Golf’s name and branding. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of starting a business, the importance of learning from failure, and his admiration for entrepreneurs like Sam Walton and Elon Musk.
The conversation also touches on the importance of building relationships with customers and the unique opportunity to connect with the person making the product. Doerfler shares his vision for the future of Hanna Golf, including new putter models and a limited-edition release. He highlights the importance of sourcing high-quality materials and his commitment to making cool putters and providing excellent customer service.
The episode concludes with Doerfler providing information on how listeners can connect with him and learn more about Hanna Golf and his Perfect Putt newsletter. He also teases an upcoming article on the business case for a shot clock in golf.
Enjoy!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Jared Doerfler and Hanna Golf
02:46 The Journey from Corporate to Craftsmanship
05:56 The Impact of College Golf on Life and Career
09:05 Family, Health, and the Spark for Entrepreneurship
11:59 The Genesis of Hana Golf: A Personal Story
15:00 Creating the Perfect Putter: A Hands-On Approach
18:10 Building a Brand in the Golf Industry
21:05 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations
23:00 Understanding Manufacturing and Material Choices
25:01 The Inspiration Behind the Putters’ Names
27:00 Lessons from Generational Sacrifices
28:58 Branding and Design Philosophy
31:02 Sales Journey and Early Successes
33:49 The Importance of Persistence and Learning
38:57 Insights from Successful Entrepreneurs
41:00 Future Aspirations and Customer Relationships
Resources:
Hanna Golf
Hanna Golf Instagram
