Biz founders, ever feel like you’re stuck doing everything, all the time? One moment you’re celebrating a spike in sales from your latest campaign—the next moment, you’re drowning in day-to-day operations with no time to think about scaling. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to stay stuck. Growing a brand isn’t just about killer products and clever marketing. It’s about building the right team to support your vision.
Managing a brand solo is a great way to start a business, but it’s not a system built for long-term growth. At some point, doing everything yourself becomes the bottleneck. And while building a team is the obvious next step, it often feels overwhelming. That’s where offshore talent comes in. In this blog inspired by a Talent Talks episode, we’ll explore how Ryan, the founder of Caley Golf, turned his one-man brand into a global operation by leveraging Filipino remote professionals and partnering with More Staffing. Let’s dive into how this shift helped Ryan scale smarter.
The E-Commerce Balancing Act
Starting and scaling a brand requires wearing multiple hats for any DTC founder. For Ryan, it meant managing everything from product sourcing to marketing, customer service, and fulfillment. When Caley Golf launched just before the COVID-19 pandemic, it gained unexpected popularity—but this quick growth exacerbated the workload challenges that were already stretching Ryan to his limits.
Realizing he couldn’t do it all alone and still maintain the brand quality Caley Golf was known for, Ryan decided it was time to grow his team. Enter offshore talent from More Staffing, an outsourcing solution that helped Caley Golf scale smarter without breaking the bank.
From Scotland to Shopify: How Caley Golf Was Born
Ryan’s background in golf retail and digital marketing gave him the perfect foundation to create a brand for passionate golfers. In 2019, he launched Caley Golf, offering high-quality, affordable golf products that combine style and performance.
However, growing a direct-to-consumer (DTC) sports brand wasn’t easy. At first, Ryan used fulfillment from China, which caused major logistical challenges during the pandemic. On top of that, increasing customer inquiries and operational issues kept him working nonstop. He quickly realized that scaling sustainably meant he couldn’t handle everything on his own.
Why Offshore Talent Was the Turning Point
Ryan’s first step toward scaling was outsourcing customer service to remote Filipino professionals through More Staffing. Customer service was the most time-consuming aspect of his business at the time, making it the perfect task to delegate.
At first, he was hesitant. Would a remote team understand Caley Golf’s unique customer base? Could they handle technical golf-related questions? And how would communication work? However, with guidance from More Staffing, those uncertainties were addressed.
The results spoke for themselves. The customer service support not only matched but often exceeded the quality of local hires. Offshore professionals quickly adapted, provided exceptional support, and even retained golf customers through timely assistance.
Can Offshore Talent Really Understand Your Brand? Debunking the Myth
One of Ryan’s standout hires was Donna, a Filipino virtual assistant with no prior golf knowledge. Through a structured onboarding program that included training on golf lingo and the Caley Golf brand ethos, Donna quickly became an integral part of the team. Her initiative, empathy, and willingness to learn turned her into a top-performing team member.
This example challenges the misconception that remote hires need extensive prior experience in niche industries. Instead, a growth mindset and the ability to learn on the go are often more valuable.
Many niche brands, from DTC golf accessories to niche apparel like Grateful Dead fan gear, have found that remote professionals with the right training can excel in specialized markets.
From One to Four: Scaling the Team with Confidence
Seeing the success with Donna, Ryan was confident in scaling his team further. He began hiring remote talent for roles in email marketing, creative production, and operational support. More Staffing’s process ensured each new hire was thoroughly vetted and aligned with Caley Golf’s needs.
The cost savings were another major draw. With high-quality Filipino professionals costing up to 80% less than their U.S.-based counterparts, Ryan was able to scale his team efficiently without sacrificing quality.
However, not every hire was perfect. A failed DIY hiring attempt taught Ryan the importance of working with a structured staffing agency. He quickly returned to More Staffing for future hires, noting their robust recruitment process as a game changer.
Inside the More Staffing Model and Why It Works
What sets More Staffing apart is its comprehensive and structured approach:
- Kickoff Process: Every hire starts with an in-depth consultation to understand the client’s needs.
- Thorough Vetting: Candidates undergo a series of interviews, skill tests, and reference checks.
- Role Clarity: More Staffing helps refine job descriptions to attract the right candidates.
- Long-Term Support: With guarantees and ongoing coaching, More Staffing minimizes hiring risks.
This framework allowed Ryan to build a global team without the usual headaches and costs associated with international hiring.
Culture Connection and the Future of Remote Teams
Ryan believes that trust and autonomy are essential for managing a remote team. To keep his global team connected, he implemented practices like virtual check-ins, lunch-and-learns, and regular team-building activities.
Looking ahead, Ryan plans to expand Caley Golf to the U.S. market and continue working with his remote team to build an exitable company. A visit to the Philippines to meet his team in person is also on the horizon, underscoring the strong connections they’ve built virtually.
Should DTC Founders Consider Offshore Talent?
If you’re a DTC founder thinking about outsourcing, here’s some advice from Ryan:
- Start with customer service—it’s a high-impact role that’s low-risk to outsource.
- Treat remote hires as long-term partners, not short-term solutions.
- Work with a structured hiring agency like More Staffing to avoid costly missteps.
By leveraging offshore talent, Ryan was able to scale his business while building a sustainable model for long-term growth. If scaling feels overwhelming, following Ryan’s approach could be exactly what your business needs.
At More Staffing, we connect businesses like yours with top offshore talent. Ready to explore the possibilities? Book a call with us today!
