Talking Smack, Taking Swings, Creating the Best Skirt in Golf
How Erin Samson Barney turned time on the course with her smack‑talking grandma into the modern golfwear company ERIN BAILEY.
Hello!
Continuing with last week’s summer series, I’ve got another great guest for Who I’d Rather Be Talking About—the space where I spotlight fascinating and inspiring people doing remarkable things.
Sometimes I’ve met these people in real life, other times we’re internet pals. In the case of today’s guest, Erin Samson Barney, we first connected on LinkedIn about a year ago after the PGA Merchandising Show put us in each other’s orbit (and in this case, the LinkedIn algorithm).
Since then, we connected on Zoom and then in person at this year’s PGA Show. In case you’re wondering, the behind-the-scenes world of golf (sales, media, merchandising, equipment) is like a small town. We all seem to know each other somehow, or through some person. I just returned from a golf media trip where many of my fellow travelers were Erin superfans like me.
You’re probably wondering, who is this superstar?
Erin is a business owner and golfer who started a golf brand to honor the woman who introduced her to the sport… her grandma. Not sure about you, but I think any woman who starts a brand in honor of their grandma is cool right off the bat. And after you hear Erin’s story, I bet you’ll agree.
Let’s meet Erin Samson Barney of ERIN BAILEY…
I want more women to play golf, and I own a premium golf apparel brand, ERIN BAILEY, with the intention of supporting that statement.
We are designed by women for golfers.
We prioritize FIT. FUNCTION. FABRIC.
I started ERIN BAILEY to honor my grandma, an elite shit talker who never broke 100. I wanted to create best-in-class apparel for women, specifically the game’s best golf skirt, and support the continued growth of the game for women.
My marketing friends don’t like this answer because it’s too vague, but it’s the truth: our target audience is women who golf.
I want a woman to see something for her in our product, whether she’s 19 or 79, a beginner or an LPGA player. I don’t think our line is robust enough to have achieved that goal, but I think we’re in a great position for it to be a reality.
In addition to our apparel, there are so many wonderful organizations helping women find the game. As we scale, I plan to contribute to those initiatives.
I was fortunate to be born to parents who taught my brothers and me the value of family and relationships. They stressed, treat people the right way.
My parents would support us in whatever we wanted to do, but that didn’t mean through rose colored glasses or without tough love when applicable. Once, after an AAU basketball tournament, our team had won, and I was awarded the top scorer. My dad was sure to tell me, “There will always be someone better than you. Taller (I capped out at 5’2” so he was definitely right there), faster, smarter, more well-traveled, etc., but you don’t ever need to be outworked. That you control.”
Before ERIN BAILEY, I spent 20 years working for the biggest brands in sports headwear and apparel, learning from the best in their fields. Some of the folks I’ve met along the way have helped me to get ERIN BAILEY to where it is now and are still working with me today.
When they say your network is your net worth, they aren’t lying!
I wanted something strong and aggressive, a logo that wasn’t overly dainty/fragile.
The cheetah is the most athletic animal in the world. They’re graceful and viscous, and they’ve always been my favorite.
The cardinal is said to represent someone visiting who has passed. I like to think when I see one, it’s my grandma checking in.
I’m really happy with how the logo turned out, combining the two!
It’s easy to get caught up in all of the responsibilities that fall to you when starting any type of business. I think it’s important to keep priorities in their appropriate place. My most important job is to be a good partner to my husband and raise children who become good people ~ empathetic, kind, confident, civically minded, and professionally (in whatever it is they care about) motivated adults.
I’m actively relearning how to organize my time. I’m not sure I’ll ever master it, but I try. On any given day, I might be training a wholesale club partner’s staff on our product, jumping on a call with our legal team, sitting in a product design and production meeting, or touching base with a content creator partner.
Really, it’s a bit of everything. It’s chaotic, but fun!
Do it.
The time will never be right. You’ll never know everything. It certainly won’t be perfect. Nothing ever is. I say that with this caveat: You better be passionate about what you’re doing. There are highs and lows that you can’t imagine, and you have to be able to temper those.
If you aren't able or willing to do that, you're probably better off keeping your steady salary and benefits.
I don’t mean that in a snarky way; I mean that sincerely. It’s harder than you think but also incredibly rewarding.
Be smart about it, but go for it!
It’s never too late. I’ve met fantastic women and great golfers who started at all sorts of times within their lives. Start by learning the basic etiquette before you go on the course. Sign up for lessons and find someone (or a group) you feel comfortable playing with. Once out there, just remember to keep things moving and mind your pace of play. Keeping those things in mind, you’re already halfway there. Then, just keep playing and practicing like the rest of us! It’s a difficult but great sport, and we’re all constantly working on our games. That’s golf!
Email: erin@erinbailey.com
Instagram and TikTok: @erinbaileyofficial
Website: erinbailey.com
Favorite golf course you’ve played: We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)
Golf course you’d like to play: Too many to say, probably Pebble Beach.
Best destination to unplug: Siesta Key
If you could play a round with your grandmother, what would you ask her? My grandma was the ultimate truth teller. She and my grandfather built a beautiful life from extremely humble beginnings. They worked hard and didn’t complain. I’d want to know something she always wished she had done but was never able to do.
Podcast: I could list 100, but some top favorites… How I Built This, Business Wars, Wiser than Me, the Nordy Pod, and of course, a good true crime - I like Morbid. Plus, I love any Gary Vaynerchuk podcast!
Netflix: Current rewatching, Homeland. I’d recommend Shrinking to anyone, although I’m not sure if that’s on Netflix.
Go-to meal: Salmon with rice and veggies.
Binge meal: Lou Malnati’s (Chicago folks will know).
Course cocktail of choice: I’m all about a cold Surfside these days.
Celebrity or golfer you’d love to see in ERIN BAILEY: Becky Robinson/The Entitled Housewife, hit me up!
Mantra, quote, or words of wisdom that inspire you: Progress not perfection.
Thank you, Erin, for sharing your story & inspiring us!