Remembering Casey Bard

This heartfelt episode of The Unofficial Shopify Podcast honors Casey Bard, the founder of Tacticalories, who passed away recently. Host Kurt shares that this episode was recorded in March 2021 as part of Casey’s wish for loved ones to hear his story after he was gone. The conversation dives into Casey’s journey from a corporate job to building Tacticalories—a brand born from a Venn diagram of his passions: tactical gear, nutrition, and bold flavor. He recounts launching his first batch in his home, underfilling products due to a scale error, and the addictive thrill of his first sales. After unexpectedly losing his job, Casey made the bold decision to go all-in on Tacticalories, leveraging his side hustle into a full-time venture. He shares how he scaled by adopting a 'residual product launch' strategy—releasing one product every 4–10 days instead of launching entire collections at once—keeping momentum and customer engagement high. Despite massive growth (4x in 2020), he faced supply chain chaos, including plastic shortages and labeling delays, but maintained a fiercely loyal customer base through authenticity and integrity. Casey also reflects on the importance of hiring creative talent—like a tattoo artist for his iconic labels—and the value of doing the work yourself rather than relying on dropshipping. His story is one of resilience, passion, and the power of building something truly personal. The episode ends with a powerful call to action: create, innovate, and stay true to your vision. Casey’s philosophy—'imagine if you just did the fucking work'—serves as a rallying cry for entrepreneurs. He emphasizes authenticity, customer service, and the joy of building something that feels like your own. The episode is both a tribute and a masterclass in bootstrapped entrepreneurship, authenticity in branding, and the emotional rewards of building a business that aligns with your values. It’s a reminder that success isn’t just about revenue—it’s about purpose, pride, and the daily thrill of creation.