Company case study
Golf HQ
Golf HQ is a brick-and-mortar golf shop that expanded its sales through the Whatnot platform, focusing on golf products. It came up on The Side Hustle Show, hosted by Nick Loper, in the episode "740: This Part-Time Pastor Sold $2M On Whatnot Last Year" (aired May 21, 2026).
At a glance
| Podcast | The Side Hustle Show |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Nick Loper |
| Episode | 740: This Part-Time Pastor Sold $2M On Whatnot Last Year |
| Aired | May 21, 2026 |
| Revenue and traction | Golf HQ reported $3 million in revenue from its brick-and-mortar location and over $2 million through Whatnot in the past year. |
| Category | E-commerce |
Figures and claims are as told on the episode, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What the episode said
740: This Part-Time Pastor Sold $2M On Whatnot Last Year · aired May 21, 2026 · hosted by Nick Loper
Why it works
The integration of online live selling allowed Golf HQ to reach a broader audience beyond its local customer base, helping to counteract declines in foot traffic due to the loss of local golf courses.
The playbook
Golf HQ leverages live streaming to engage with customers, hosts themed shows around major golf events, and builds a community by recognizing and interacting with regular viewers.
Also mentioned
The shop has adapted to the challenges of shipping products like golf clubs by hiring additional staff and using dedicated software to manage logistics.
Why this works now (our analysis)
Whatnot's live selling feature allows Golf HQ to expand its reach beyond local customers by hosting interactive sales events. Initially, the shop capitalized on this platform by promoting golf equipment through scheduled live streams, attracting golf enthusiasts from various regions. The business faces a significant risk related to platform dependency, as reliance on Whatnot for over $2 million in sales could impact revenue if the platform's policies or user engagement changes.