Mitch Cahn, good guy entrepreneur, hatmaker to the candidates, accidental media star and overnight sensation after more than three decades in business, was not up all night last night, waiting for the election results to come in.
And for good reasons.
For one, he and his company, Newark-based Unionwear, already have been big winners in this presidential election cycle, as it is one of the few remaining Made-in-the-USA manufacturers where candidates can get their hats produced onshore.
For two, no matter who ends up winning, Cahn will benefit (more on that a few graphs down).
And for three, while political swag gives him a once-in-four-years boost, it remains just a small part of his business, a business that has been booming lately.
“We have all the work we can handle, now,” he said. “We have so much work that we have kind of pushed off because of the election that we’re now going to spend the next several months just kind of catching up and delivering to our regular customers.”
To be clear, should Harris ultimately be the winner, Cahn figures to win, too. Inaugurals for first-time winners always do better than for repeat winners (even Obama showed that).
But know this: A victory by Trump would be beneficial, too.
“Trump has proposed things that are going to help domestic manufacturing – I think a little better than Harris and Walz will,” he said. “But I think that Harris and Walz proposals may be better overall for the economy – and a stronger economy is probably better for business in New Jersey.”
Of course, what’s good for business is having received millions of dollars of earned (read free) media. That’s what happens when everyone realizes your company seemingly has cornered the market on presidential hats.
Stories detailing Cahn’s business (ROI-NJ may have been the first to do, see it here and here) have made Unionwear a household name around the country.
“It’s definitely raised our profile,” he said. “There are so many people who’ve contacted us that didn’t even know that they could have the products that we make, still made in America. People just assume that every baseball hat is made in China or Vietnam or Bangladesh.
“Our web traffic is up about 500% from last fall. And this is with people with real inquiries. These inquiries are going to lead to clients. That’s going to help us for the next several years for sure.”
Or until the next presidential election in 2028.
Know this, while presidential elections are great for Unionwear, races for the senate or the governor are not. The large number of candidates running for governor in New Jersey in 2025 will not necessarily be knocking down Cahn’s door.
“It takes a lot for someone to want wear someone else’s name on their hat,” he said.
Not to worry.
Cahn said he has picked up so much new business in recent months that it’s all good.
“Presidential campaigns are maybe 25% of the business we’ll do this year,” he said. “You have to remember; this has only been going on since August – it just seems like years.
“It’s all been great, but it’s not the main focus of what we do. That part of the business is doing better than ever.”
Allowing Cahn to sleep well – even on election night.
