You’re eyeing that clean, Southern-inspired t-shirt or thinking about adding a duck-themed hat to your shop. Local Boy Outfitters has probably crossed your radar, whether you’re a small retailer wanting to stock regional bestsellers or a curious entrepreneur learning how successful “main street” brands are built. Ownership matters here because who owns a company can shape its vibe, customer focus, and resilience through rough patches.
Let’s get clear on who owns Local Boy Outfitters, why it’s stayed local, and what lessons you can apply to your next big business decision.
Introduction: Why Ownership Matters in Small Business
When you walk into an independent clothing shop, you feel it the difference between a founder-led brand and a faceless chain. Local Boy Outfitters stands out because it still has that “owner in the shop” magic. It’s not just about logos and taglines; it’s about who makes the calls and signs off on every new design.
So, who’s calling the shots at Local Boy Outfitters? It’s not some distant holding company or national conglomerate. The ownership and day-to-day leadership are in the hands of two Columbia, South Carolina locals: David Faulkenberry and Patrick Stamps. Understanding their background, mindset, and local pride can show you how staying authentic keeps customers loyal, staff motivated, and growth steady even when budgets are tight.
Meet the Founders of Local Boy Outfitters
You know the phrase, “lead from the front”? That’s how Local Boy Outfitters started. The brand was founded by two longtime friends who grew up in the heart of Columbia, SC: David Faulkenberry and Patrick Stamps.
David Faulkenberry: CEO, Co-Founder, and Columbia Native
Let’s talk about David Faulkenberry the founder who doesn’t just oversee the business from afar. David is the company’s CEO and remains actively involved in both the day-to-day and big-picture moments. Born and raised in Columbia, he’s steeped in the laid-back, outdoorsy spirit that so many customers buy into when they pick up a Local Boy Outfitters hat or pullover.
He didn’t have a giant trust fund or a celebrity investor behind him. David started out as a regular guy with a knack for finding what local shoppers wanted, listening hard, then acting fast. As CEO, he’s not shy about rolling up his sleeves and being the first to test a new product or fielding feedback when something needs tweaking.
Hometown pride runs deep in David’s approach. That’s more than a talking point on the website; it’s visible in how the stores are managed and how employees interact with customers. If you’re running your own brand, take a note: when the founder is still 100% hands-on, it’s easier to win trust and steer through tough patches.
Patrick Stamps: Co-Founder and Creative Driver
Every great brand needs a partner who challenges the status quo and isn’t afraid to stick with what works. Meet Patrick Stamps David’s longtime friend and the other half of the founder team. Patrick’s fingerprints are all over the creative direction and business development at Local Boy Outfitters.
Where David keeps the engine humming, Patrick handles the stylistic choices and branding cues that set Local Boy apart. From choosing which regional lingo to print on new shirts, to brainstorming clever in-store experiences, Patrick makes sure the brand speaks to Southern pride without sliding into clichés.
Patrick’s hands-on strategy (think: starting small, testing ideas, and scaling what clicks) should sound familiar for anyone who’s managed a growing shop or product line. Instead of chasing the next viral thing, he helps keep growth measured, staff focused, and customers at the center of every pivot.
Do you need a celebrity founder or Silicon Valley-style pitch deck? Not if you get scrappy, listen to your base, and prioritize steady growth over hype.
Company Structure—Why LLCs and Private Ownership Work
You don’t need a lawyer’s brain to see why Local Boy Outfitters chose an LLC setup. The company operates as Local Boy Outfitters LLC meaning it’s privately owned, with the legal paperwork to protect both the brand and its founders. LLCs are popular among small businesses for a reason: you get some liability protection, control stays with the original owners, and you don’t have to answer to shareholders with short attention spans.
On top of that, Local Boy Outfitters holds its own trademarks so when you see that distinctive dog logo or “local boy” embroidery, you know nobody’s copying their stuff. The legal structure isn’t just background noise. If you’re launching your own brand (or thinking of a side hustle), make it legal early so your hard work doesn’t get stolen or tied up in messy arguments.
The best part? The ownership hasn’t changed hands. As of now, David Faulkenberry and Patrick Stamps keep things close to home. There’s no parent company. No buyouts. Just two founders keeping things simple, legally clean, and hyper-focused on the Southern customer.
Vision and Mission—Driven By The Founders, Shaped By Locals
Let’s face it a company’s mission statements often look good in frames but feel empty in the aisles. At Local Boy Outfitters, though, what’s on paper lines up with what you experience inside the store or when shopping online.
David and Patrick built their vision around three things:
1. A deep commitment to celebrating the Southern lifestyle;
2. A mandate to offer tough, comfortable clothes without designer markups;
3. Treating every customer and staff member as a neighbor, not a number.
They didn’t rush into launching dozens of stores or signing risky licensing deals. Instead, they doubled down on customer feedback, adjusted their designs to match local tastes, and built a company culture where staff are empowered to solve problems sometimes with a handwritten note or an unexpected discount for longtime buyers.
Does this sound like common sense? Maybe. But it’s practical, low-cost, and keeps loyalty high without expensive ad campaigns. If you’re growing your own business, focus on culture and clarity more than splashy stunts.
Growth and Development—Small Wins, Smart Moves
Not every business starts as an overnight success. Local Boy Outfitters built its growth on what we call “stacking wins.” Here’s how they did it:
– Started with a handful of core products built for durability;
– Focused on quality, then listened to every bit of feedback, good or bad;
– Opened new locations only *after* the numbers justified it, not just for show.
There weren’t million-dollar launches or influencer blowouts. Instead, David and Patrick invested in small-batch releases, tested new patterns and colors in local markets, and let word of mouth do the heavy lifting for brand awareness.
A great lesson for your own journey: test new ideas with a “trial and tweak” mentality. If a shirt style didn’t work, they shelved it. If a certain logo or phrase resonated, they doubled their order. It’s about small, steady bets especially when your cash flow looks more like trickle than river. Want more cost-saving strategies? Check out our favorite operational “hacks” here.
Key milestones?
– Rolling out new product lines each season *only* after earlier designs proved profitable.
– Expanding their footprint through both branded retail and select local retailers always with a focus on controllable growth.
– Earning regional press and a loyal repeat customer base, mainly because the founders were never too busy for a store visit or community event.
Local Impact—Rooted in Columbia, SC (and Proud of It!)
It’s one thing to say you’re local; it’s another to show it. Local Boy Outfitters makes its roots visible in how it hires, gives back, and supports other small businesses in the Columbia area.
Instead of casting a wide net for distant vendors, they try to keep as much of their supply chain regional as possible. Employees tend to stick around because when the CEO and co-founder know your name, loyalty follows. They support community fundraisers, participate in local sports sponsorships, and offer event space to small non-profits when possible.
That homegrown pride spills over to how they treat every Columbia-area walk-in personal hellos, staff recommendations, and the feeling that you matter. It’s not manufactured; it’s genuine, because the owners are never far from the floor.
For your own business? Double down on local partnerships before running after national deals. Making a real impact starts with listening and adapting to your direct community the big contracts can wait.
Conclusion
So, who owns Local Boy Outfitters? Two Columbia, SC entrepreneurs who cared enough to put their savings, sweat, and personal pride on the line: David Faulkenberry and Patrick Stamps. They still own the company no silent partners, no distant shareholders, just two locals who keep their name on the lease and their eyes on the customer.
Ownership shapes everything: from the customer experience to how staff are treated and whether the company can pivot in tough years. Would you rather answer to a board of strangers or to your own customers? Founder-led brands like Local Boy Outfitters show the power of keeping business decisions local, legal, and closely held.
If you’re running your own show, this is your blueprint. Focus on clear legal structure, hands-on leadership, and lean, steady growth. Invest in your people and your local community. That’s how you weather the storms, earn loyalty without burning cash, and build something that won’t disappear at the first hiccup.
Alright you’re ready to grow. Surround yourself with founders who care, customers who matter, and a plan that puts culture over stunts. You don’t need to spend a fortune; just focus on the basics, stack your wins, and keep the ownership (and pride) close to home.
