What does it take to build a profitable DTC brand when everything seems to keep changing?
From global trade wars to AI disruptions—and let’s not forget the hard lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems like the only constant in DTC is uncertainty. For Andrew Faris, an experienced DTC operator turned advisor, the key to survival—and growth—is resilience. His advice: Build lean. Operate smart. Hire globally.
In a Talent Talks podcast conversation with Lara Guevara, Andrew shared how he’s leveraging offshore talent and a disciplined, efficiency-first mindset—to grow his brand and guide other DTC founders through today’s chaos. Let’s dive into the highlights.
From Consultant to Creator
Andrew Faris is a well-respected name in the DTC world, with a career spanning leadership roles and advisory work for some of the space’s most innovative brands.
Andrew’s extensive experience in DTC includes roles at AJF Growth, Common Thread Collective (CTC), QALO, and 4×400. Over the last decade, he’s advised countless founders, helping them scale their businesses. But recently, Andrew shifted his focus from advising to building.
“I realized running leaner is the future of DTC,” Andrew explains as he sets up his own cologne brand. Unlike traditional teams, Andrew’s is small, purpose-driven, and supported heavily by offshore talent, a decision inspired by years of experience with bloated teams and unnecessary expenses.
For Andrew, this new venture isn’t just a business; it’s a commitment to creating profitable operations built on lean startup principles.
The Three Levers of Lean Growth for DTC Brands
Andrew believes that any business can become a lean, high-performing operation if it focuses on three key areas. Here’s how his framework works and why offshore hiring plays a central role.
Growth Lever #1: Optimizing the Supply Chain
A common challenge in DTC is supply chains that aren’t optimized for cost-efficiency or disruption resilience.
The problem: Many businesses rely on a limited set of vendors, leaving them vulnerable to tariff changes and shipping delays.
Andrew’s advice: Pre-approve backup vendors and proactively diversify suppliers before disruption strikes. By spreading out your risk, you lower costs and create a supply chain that can handle unexpected challenges.
Pro Tip: Companies like Move Supply Chain specialize in reducing costs of goods sold (COGs) while diversifying supply sources, ensuring that businesses can stay resilient even during global trade fluctuations.
Growth Lever #2: Cutting Operational Costs with Offshore Hiring
Reducing operational expenses (OPEX) isn’t just about slashing costs; it’s about reallocating those savings to create higher returns. And this is where Andrew saw the biggest wins with offshore hiring.
During his latest venture, Andrew embraced a “Philippines-first” hiring strategy through More Staffing. By bringing on Filipino executive-level hires and junior team members, Andrew launched his brand with exceptional talent at a fraction of the cost of hiring locally.
Example: A local hire with high expertise might cost $80,000 annually, whereas an equally skilled team member in the Philippines can achieve the same outcomes for significantly less.
Key Wins of Offshore Hiring Include:
- Access to high-performing offshore talent ready to take on executive and specialized roles
- 50-80% savings compared to US-based hires
- Accelerated results by leveraging trained professionals
Growth Lever #3: Strengthening Customer Acquisition in DTC Brands
With supply chains optimized and operations running lean, the final lever focuses on customer acquisition. Andrew’s philosophy here is simple yet powerful: effective performance marketing relies on two factors—expertise and delegation.
By integrating Filipino virtual media buyers onto his team, Andrew reduced his customer acquisition costs (CAC) while maintaining a high level of execution. These professionals are trained to launch, manage, and optimize campaigns cost-effectively, allowing his team to focus on strategy rather than micromanagement.
Mentoring and Scaling Teams with Offshore Talent
One of the most common mistakes DTC founders make is failing to scale themselves. Instead of duplicating their decision-making skills, they remain the bottleneck, holding their team back from its full potential. Andrew’s approach to this challenge? Mentorship.
Andrew believes in creating “mini-me” leaders capable of independent decisions. He shares, “Every time I expect more from my Filipino team, they meet it. I’ve learned that I should’ve expected more from the start.”
Offshore hiring isn’t just about cost savings. It’s a pathway to scalable leadership. Through personalized mentoring, business owners can create self-reliant teams that require less oversight while driving high-impact results.
Bonus Takeaway: Inside Resolute, Andrew’s New DTC Brand
Launching a brand demands creativity, strategy, and a smart allocation of resources. Andrew’s new cologne brand, Resolute, embodies all three elements. Built from the ground up using lean operational principles, the brand boasts strong margins and exceptional execution.
What made Resolute possible?
- Offshore sourcing: Move Supply Chain helped Andrew secure reliable, cost-effective suppliers without compromising quality.
- Offshore team: Filipino hires managed production timelines, helped with creative execution, and handled post-launch activities.
- Shared leadership: By partnering with Gregg from More Staffing, Andrew ensured that operations stayed scalable and managed remotely with expertise.
“I don’t think I would’ve started this business if I didn’t know Lara and her team existed,” Andrew remarks, attributing a large part of the brand’s success to both offshore partnerships and lean operations.
Actionable Tips for Founders
Want to replicate Andrew Faris’ success? Start by making these changes in your business structure today.
- Audit your OPEX: Identify areas where offshore talent can save costs and add value without affecting performance.
- Diversify suppliers: Avoid costly disruptions by setting up global vendor partnerships before you face issues.
- Train and mentor: Focus on improving decision-making across your team so they can handle high-responsibility tasks with confidence.
- Build smart with the right people: Choose top-tier offshore talent vetted for your business needs.
“Great brands constantly optimize their people and processes. There’s always room to build smarter, deeper, and leaner,” Andrew explains.
Get Started with Offshore Hiring With More Staffing
Andrew Faris’ success didn’t happen by chance. By choosing to work with platforms like More Staffing and adopting a lean mindset, he turned operational challenges into competitive advantages. If you’re ready to take your DTC brand to the next level, it’s time to optimize your operations and hire smarter, leaner, and better.
Book a free call with More Staffing today and transform your business.
