GEAR CHECK: Interview with Dominic Scalise of IYKYK
These are the things the Entrepreneur, Intermittent YouTuber, and 'Good Thing Enthusiast' can't live without.
IF YOU’RE ON the men’s lifestyle side of Substack, then you probably know Dominic Scalise. He writes IYKYK—the place where Good Thing Enthusiasts hang out. Over there, he covers menswear goods, iconic cars, beautiful furniture, and thought-provoking design.
Writing is only part of his story—Dominic is an entrepreneur at heart. Over the past 10 years, the Kansas City native has gone from selling fine leather goods from around the world to opening a cafe inside the most iconic art museum in all of KC, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Right now, he’s manning the ship at his SEO agency, Growth Bureau.
What I love about Dominic is that he’s no one-trick pony—he’s a master of many things, a true Renaissance man. From traveling the world to staying fit, these are the essentials the KC native can’t live without.
GEAR CHECK
The Observer Collection Seebag ($1,595)
G-Shock GW5000U Series ($300)
Le Labo Santal 33 ($235)
Kettlebell Kings Kettlebells (Price varies by weight)
Alden Indy 403 Boots ($720)
FUJI X100V Camera (See Price)
DOMINIC’S WORDS ON…
Before we get to Dominic’s essentials, did I mention he has a badass YouTube channel? He’s making some of the best reviews on menswear, home goods, and cars on the platform. Some of his essentials have video reviews attached—a true sign Dominic swears by these picks. So check out his page after reading if you want to learn more.
The Observer Collection Seebag
“I submit this as the greatest duffel bag ever made,” he says. “I recently took this to Oaxaca, and I’d take it to the beach to throw all my gear in. After swimming, I could always find my way back because of the stand-out color.”
G-Shock GW5000U Series
“Not long ago, I bought this for a motorcycle trip in Southern Mexico, and it hasn’t left my wrist since. It’s my ultimate sleeper watch.”
Le Labo Santal 33
Dominic has a cache of fragrances he’s collected over the years. His current scent of choice? Leave it to a classic: Santal 33. “I’ve tried so many times to stray from this one, but it’s really it for me,” he says. “Earthy, sandalwood, and tobacco—there’s something rugged yet refined about it that I love.”
Kettlebell Kings Kettlebells
“This is the Cadillac of Kettlebells,” he says. “I especially love the coating and handle finish.”
Alden Indy 403 Boots
“A pair of Alden boots was my first big purchase after getting a job out of college,” he says. “I’ve done everything in them: I wore them in a workshop every day for several years, rode motorcycles in them, traveled the world in them, and beyond.”
FUJI X100V Camera
Dominic is no stranger to the X100 series (he owns both the original X100 and the X100V). “Last summer, I brought my X100V to my friend’s outdoor birthday party,” he says. “I told everyone to pass it around and take some shots. They all had a blast using it.”
The Liontracker’s Guide to Life by Boyd Varty
“The author, Boyd Varty, is co-owner of Londolozi, a safari lodge in South Africa. He’s a great storyteller,” he says. “The book follows the tracking of lions, which is ultimately the metaphor he uses for helping navigate through life and finding your true purpose.”
Snow Peak Titanium Water Bottle
“Wildly expensive, but once you handle this, you’ll be like, ‘Dammit, I need one.’”
LIVE A LITTLE
CONNECT WITH DOMINIC
Dominic is putting out some of the best YouTube reviews in the menswear space right now. You can find his YouTube channel here.
If you want to connect with Dominic to talk SEO, go to Growth Bureau here.
As mentioned earlier, Dominic has a damn good Substack. If you like LIVE A LITTLE, you’ll enjoy reading IYKYK.
THANKS FOR READING
Have a specific person you want to see a GEAR CHECK of in the near future? Drop your suggestions in the comments below.
Thanks for having me, JT! I really appreciate the love.
So Spangle coded