Dome Headwear marks 10 years, named to Inc. list

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August was a big month for Jacksonville Beach-based Dome Headwear. It marked the 10th anniversary for the full-service, custom headwear supplier. It also marked the announcement by Inc. Magazine that Dome had been named to its annual Inc. 5000 list.

“To be included on such a prestigious list is, in any year, very gratifying,” said company co-founder Jeff Whitaker. “But with 2020 being our 10-year anniversary, and after all the adversity that our company, our industry and our country has experienced this year, we’re especially humbled and proud of the recognition.”

The list recognizes the most successful independent, small companies in the United States. The annual event honoring companies on the list will be held virtually Oct. 23-27.

The secret of Dome’s success may lie not just in its ability to fill orders with a low minimum, high customization and quick turnaround, but also with its commitment to forming relationships with its customers and the belief that every hat has a story.

“We try to dive into what makes (each customer) unique, and what we can do to tell that story and to give them a much better product than they would get just from going to some promotional products company that’s going to throw their logo on top of a regular product,” explained Whitaker.

He recalled a local brewery that came to Dome for hats sporting the business logo. Whitaker suggested some design additions based on his knowledge of the company and tested his idea by giving the brewery two dozen of them.

“They were gone within minutes,” he recalled.

A company’s hat will be worn by dozens, hundreds or even thousands of people.

“That hat, just like an advertisement or a picture on your Instagram, is going to have thousands – maybe even millions – of impressions of people seeing it,” Whitaker said. “How do you want to represent your brand?”

After graduating from the University of Florida, Whitaker moved to Colorado where he got a job selling custom hats.

“I had a few years of experience doing that and realized I loved it and wanted to start my own company,” he said. “But I couldn’t do it alone.”

He called a friend from college, Chris Hetland. The men had both played on the Florida Gators National Championship team in 2006.

They sat down at a local Irish bar, had a few beers and discussed Whitaker’s idea. Chris was sold. He quit his job selling commercial real estate in Georgia, and the men founded their company with $500 in cash. For the first six months, they worked out of Whitaker’s living room.

Two big breaks proved key to the company’s success. Football helmet manufacturer Riddell and entertainment merchandise company Richards & Southern each placed large orders, helping Dome to establish its brand.

Staff has also been an important part of that success. Whitaker singled out longtime staff members Phuoc Huynh, who heads up graphic design, and Katrin Casey, who handles marketing and branding.

“If it wasn’t for Kat and Phuoc coming along, we never would have made it,” said Whitaker.