In just five years, Davie Fogarty went from an insecure kid in Adelaide, Australia, to a multi-millionaire, listed on the Australian financial rich list below Chris Hemsworth. His story isn’t just about money; it’s about resilience, overcoming insecurities, and finding purpose. From launching small Instagram accounts to building one of the most beloved comfort brands, Davie’s entrepreneurial journey is filled with hard-earned lessons and remarkable insights for young entrepreneurs. Here’s how he built a $500 million empire from humble beginnings.
Davie Fogarty (Portfolio) – https://www.davie.co/
Davie Fogarty (Instagram) – @daviefogarty
Davie Fogarty (Twitter) – https://x.com/daviefogarty
Davie Fogarty (Youtube) – @DavieFogarty
Growing Up: The Early Struggles
A Shy Kid with Big Dreams
Davie wasn’t always the confident entrepreneur we see today. Growing up in Adelaide, he was a shy, insecure kid who struggled with his self-image and self-worth. He recalls being the kid at the beach who wouldn’t take his shirt off. Despite a supportive family, Davie’s early years were filled with challenges—particularly at school, where he often felt stupid, especially after being told so by teachers.
Family’s Influence: The Furniture Business
While Davie struggled in school, he was always inspired by his parents’ relentless work ethic. They ran a small furniture business in Adelaide, and he would watch them work tirelessly to support him. This exposure to business from a young age would later shape his own entrepreneurial ambitions.
Turning Point: Discovering Greatness
Finding Inspiration in Nike Commercials
Davie’s life took a pivotal turn during a seemingly normal YouTube session. Amongst viral videos, he stumbled upon Nike commercials, particularly the famous Michael Jordan ad about his failures. These ads sparked a realization: greatness is achieved through hard work and failure. This was the moment Davie knew he could change his life.
The Ultimatum from Parents
In grade 10, after a disappointing parent-teacher interview where all of his teachers labeled him as a failure, his parents issued an ultimatum—work harder or lose their support. Feeling deep shame but also determination, Davie decided to take control of his life. He aimed to improve his grades, get a job, and pursue university as a path to financial stability.
The Hustle Begins: Early Jobs and Lessons
Warehouse Job and Gym Obsession
Davie’s first job involved working in a warehouse for minimum wage. Despite the grind, he used this job to fuel his newfound obsession with the gym, where he learned the power of consistent, compounded effort. The gym not only helped him physically but also mentally, as he began to build self-confidence.
Academic Turnaround
With the help of a tutor, Davie began to tackle subjects like math, physics, and chemistry. A year later, during another parent-teacher interview, one of his previous teachers was amazed at his transformation, saying it was the biggest turnaround he had ever seen. This was a major validation for Davie, solidifying that he was on the right path.
University: A Path Not Meant for Him
Mining Engineering: The Wrong Choice
After high school, Davie enrolled in mining engineering at Adelaide University, drawn to the six-figure salaries associated with the field. However, from day one, he realized that this wasn’t the right path for him. He struggled to find passion in the subject and eventually failed his courses. But university wasn’t a total loss—during this time, Davie’s love for business was growing, and he started experimenting with entrepreneurial ventures.
The Birth of Instagram Businesses
Starting Small with Supplement Reviews
Davie’s first real business venture began on Instagram. He started by visiting supplement stores, taking photos, and writing reviews. What began as small shoutouts grew into a legitimate business, with Davie selling advertising space to fitness brands. Soon, he was making enough money to quit his warehouse job, earning the six-figure income he had initially wanted from mining engineering.
Scaling the Instagram Empire
As his Instagram accounts grew, Davie created multiple verticals—fitness, nutrition, and cooking. His accounts gained traction, and he quickly scaled his business to a six-figure income. Despite the success, Davie didn’t rest. He continued working long hours, sometimes using six phones to manage his various Instagram accounts, all while personal training clients in the early mornings and late evenings.
Major Setback: The $40,000 Instagram Scam
Losing Almost Everything
Despite the success, not everything went smoothly. One of Davie’s biggest mistakes came when he spent $40,000 to buy an Instagram account that turned out to be hacked. Instagram returned the account to its original owner, leaving Davie with nothing. At the time, $40,000 was nearly all of his money, and he was left devastated. This, combined with the failure of his Vietnamese roll food business, sent him into a dark place.
The Rock-in-the-Shoe Lesson
At his lowest point, Davie’s father taught him a lesson he’d never forget. He made him walk down the driveway with a rock in his shoe, painfully poking his foot. Afterward, he removed the rock and made him walk again. The lesson was clear: carrying mistakes will only hurt you—learn from them and move on. This was a pivotal moment in Davie’s journey, one that helped him shift focus and rebuild.
The Game-Changer: Calming Blankets
The Birth of Calming Blankets
After moving to Melbourne to surround himself with inspiring people, Davie stumbled upon an article about weighted blankets and their benefits for sensory disorders. Seeing a gap in the Australian market, he knew this could be his breakthrough product. Using his Instagram marketing skills and with just $500 in his account, he decided to launch Calming Blankets.
Pre-Selling to Success
With no stock in hand, Davie decided to sell on pre-order, promising customers delivery in a few weeks. While the product was held up in customs for five weeks, nearly derailing his launch, he eventually delivered. The business took off rapidly, making $1,000 in the first week and scaling to $1.5 million in profit by the end of the first year.
Scaling to New Heights: The Oodie
Introducing The Oodie
After the success of Calming Blankets, Davie launched his most successful venture yet—The Oodie, a cozy, oversized hoodie-blanket hybrid that became an instant hit. The Oodie took his business from millions to tens of millions in revenue. With a team of over 60 employees, Davie built a brand that millions of customers adore, offering comfort and warmth to people worldwide.
Living the Dream: From Range Rovers to Beach Houses
Spending on Personal Goals
With his newfound wealth, Davie was able to fulfill childhood dreams. He bought a Range Rover, a house, and even his girlfriend’s dream car. He’s now looking for a beach house and frequently travels the world with his American Express points, earned through his thriving business.
Key Lessons for Entrepreneurs
Never Give Up
One of the most significant lessons from Davie’s journey is persistence. Whether it was his early failures at university or losing $40,000 in a scam, Davie never gave up on his entrepreneurial dreams. He kept learning, experimenting, and growing.
Compound Effort Pays Off
From his time in the gym to building multiple Instagram accounts, Davie learned that small, consistent efforts compound into massive success over time. This principle was foundational in his ability to scale his businesses.
Find Your Passion
Davie’s journey shows that passion plays a crucial role in success. He didn’t thrive in mining engineering because it wasn’t his passion. However, when he discovered Instagram marketing and later e-commerce, his excitement fueled his relentless work ethic.
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