Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

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Nik brings firsthand experience, having bought and sold over a dozen businesses, achieved multiple 7-figure exits, and generated over $100 million in revenue.

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Nikonomics - The Economics of Small Business

178 - How Facebook Ads Nearly Killed This $12.5M Brand with Hans Dose

May 26, 2025 • Nikolas Hulewsky • Season 1 • Episode 178

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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Hans Dose (https://x.com/HansDose_Does) about his wild journey from a Shark Tank deal to building a $12.5 million business and now, launching a US manufacturing facility in California.

Hans is a real-deal entrepreneur who saw the challenges coming for e-commerce brands relying on overseas production, especially with tariffs and geopolitical risks changing the landscape. He shares how his product, Tenikle, went from struggling at $10k/month pre-filming to a massive sales spike after the Shark Tank airing.

We dive into the surprising reality of razor-thin margins in the e-commerce world, largely due to massive advertising costs. Hans explains the crucial difference between silicon and silicone, detailing why this flexible, non-toxic material is vital for countless consumer products. And he lays out his bold plan to "steal China's strategy" for efficient, small-scale production to make US manufacturing competitive again.

Questions This Episode Answers:
How did a Shark Tank deal lead to building a $12.5M business and a US factory?

Why are e-commerce margins razor-thin despite high sales?

What is silicone, and why do so many products use it?

Can US manufacturing really compete on cost with China?

Why build a factory in California instead of nearshoring?

Enjoy the conversation!

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