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Case Study: Scaling Operations for Wool & Company with Transformative Leadership
Wool & Company is one of the fastest-growing independent yarn retailers in the U.S. Founded and led by passionate entrepreneurs, the business has become a beloved brand with a loyal and engaged customer base. With a strong e-commerce presence, a 40,000 sq. ft. warehouse, and a retail storefront in South Elgin, IL, Wool & Company has scaled rapidly through organic growth and exceptional service.
The Challenge
While demand and growth were strong, operations had not yet been built to scale.
The founders remained heavily involved in day-to-day management, limiting their ability to focus on broader strategic initiatives.
Specific challenges included:
- The need for scalable systems in fulfillment, inventory, and CRM.
- High-volume fulfillment operations under strain, especially during peak Q4.
- Pressure to professionalize operations in advance of facility expansion and new business lines.
Failed Attempts
Prior efforts to divide responsibilities internally and rely on ad-hoc contractors failed to create a sustainable, scalable operations model. The founders realized they needed a seasoned executive with proven experience scaling consumer brands—someone who could build infrastructure, develop teams, and relieve them from operational bottlenecks.
Recognizing the need for operational leadership, Wool & Company engaged Cowen Partners Executive Search to find a leader who could strengthen the business while honoring its entrepreneurial roots.
Strategic Partnership
Cowen Partners Executive Search was engaged to identify a seasoned operator who could stabilize operations and enable the founders to focus on long-term growth. Our team worked closely with the founders to understand their culture, urgent needs, and strategic objectives.
Key aspects of our approach included:
- Defining critical experience: Candidates needed proven success in e-commerce fulfillment, system build-outs, and scaling mid-market consumer brands.
- High-growth, high-SKU expertise: Priority was given to leaders who had successfully managed complex, high-volume operations.
- Cultural alignment: Ensuring the candidate could thrive in a founder-led, entrepreneurial company.
- Broad industry sourcing: Instead of limiting the search to yarn or retail, Cowen Partners Executive Search tapped into leaders from consumer and CPG industries with transferable skills.
Wool & Co especially valued Cowen Partners Executive Search’s ability to surface exceptional talent beyond traditional channels, expanding the candidate pool to proven leaders with diverse perspectives.
The Solution
Wool & Company hired Dale Hastert as its first-ever Chief Operating Officer. Dale is a seasoned operations executive with over 25 years of experience in supply chain, contract manufacturing, and e-commerce strategy.
His career highlights include:
- Optimum Nutrition: Scaling the company from a startup into a $200M+ category leader.
- Nutrivo: Leading a $90M+ private label portfolio, driving cost savings and operational efficiencies.
- Expertise in systems: Deep experience implementing ERP/WMS platforms, fulfillment automation, and managing high-SKU inventory.
Beyond technical expertise, Dale is recognized for his people-first leadership style, which fosters accountability, culture, and growth within large teams —exactly the balance Wool & Company needed.
Conclusion: Transformative Leadership, Delivered with Precision
The partnership between Wool & Company and Cowen Partners Executive Search demonstrates the power of aligning the right leadership with the right business need.
Faced with operational strain and the pressure of rapid growth, the founders needed more than just an experienced operator; they needed a proven leader who could both scale complex systems and thrive in a founder-led, entrepreneurial culture.
Cowen Partners Executive Search worked closely with Wool & Company to understand those unique dynamics, define the “must-have” expertise, and source leaders with transferable success in high-growth consumer environments.
That process ultimately delivered the ideal candidate: a seasoned COO whose operational expertise and people-first leadership style matched the company’s immediate needs and long-term vision.
By securing this transformative leader, Wool & Company removed operational roadblocks and created space for its founders to focus on vision, innovation, and strategic expansion while operations now run at scale.
If your organization is ready to overcome similar challenges and find the right executive to unlock growth, partner with Cowen Partners Executive Search to secure the leadership your business needs.
About Cowen Partners Executive Search
Cowen Partners is a premier executive search firm in all 50 states, dedicated to connecting organizations with top-tier talent that drives strategic objectives and fuels success. Our executive recruiters specialize in C-Suite, board, and senior leadership placements, providing unparalleled access to the top 1% of leaders across diverse industries.
Our proven processes and guaranteed results have empowered hundreds of clients in sectors including manufacturing, technology, financial services, healthcare, and private equity to build winning teams. Partner with us to find world-class leaders who will accelerate your company’s growth and success.
To learn more about how Cowen Partners can support your organization’s executive search needs, explore the resources below or contact us today.
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