1 00:00:00,040 --> 00:00:04,330 As a small business owner, have you ever felt that there's only a 2 00:00:04,330 --> 00:00:08,309 limited number of options available for you to promote your business? 3 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:14,220 A lot of times we rely on what's online and what we can do there. 4 00:00:15,220 --> 00:00:18,839 But when you think outside of your computer and you think of 5 00:00:18,850 --> 00:00:23,790 the real world, there is a ton of different options available to us. 6 00:00:24,730 --> 00:00:27,750 And one of them is custom brand and merchandise. 7 00:00:28,580 --> 00:00:33,660 And if you've ever been concerned about how to get started or worried that custom 8 00:00:33,660 --> 00:00:38,759 brand and merchandise felt too out of reach or too expensive, today's guest 9 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:45,039 is here to flip that script because Amanda Hofman, the co founder and CEO 10 00:00:45,039 --> 00:00:51,410 of GoToMarket is proving that custom high quality branded products can be 11 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:56,850 significant game changer for growing your business, no matter your size. 12 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:02,450 In today's episode, Amanda walks us through concrete strategies and how 13 00:01:02,450 --> 00:01:07,490 to use merchandise to improve your visibility, drive sales, and take 14 00:01:07,490 --> 00:01:08,930 your business to the next level. 15 00:01:09,850 --> 00:01:14,080 It's an opportunity that's often overlooked and has the potential 16 00:01:14,340 --> 00:01:15,780 to change everything for you. 17 00:01:16,390 --> 00:01:21,650 So get ready to rethink what's possible in this episode. 18 00:01:22,644 --> 00:01:24,214 Thank you for joining us today. 19 00:01:24,254 --> 00:01:29,374 We're all about passionately driven entrepreneurs, guiding you to success in 20 00:01:29,374 --> 00:01:34,584 business and in life, because it's never too late to make your business and career 21 00:01:34,604 --> 00:01:37,574 work for you and not the other way around. 22 00:01:37,924 --> 00:01:40,425 Learn more at KendraLosee. 23 00:01:40,454 --> 00:01:40,814 com. 24 00:01:41,794 --> 00:01:42,484 Welcome, Amanda. 25 00:01:42,484 --> 00:01:43,754 Thanks for being here today. 26 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:45,290 Thanks so much. 27 00:01:45,300 --> 00:01:46,810 I'm really excited to talk to you. 28 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:50,740 I know I've been following your Instagram account and some of the 29 00:01:50,740 --> 00:01:53,850 stuff that you're doing online for a while and it's fantastic. 30 00:01:53,910 --> 00:01:55,329 So you're welcome. 31 00:01:55,330 --> 00:02:00,709 Can you share with those people who's are fabulous and tuning in a little 32 00:02:00,709 --> 00:02:02,049 bit about yourself and what you do? 33 00:02:02,100 --> 00:02:02,340 Yes. 34 00:02:02,430 --> 00:02:03,589 My name is Amanda Hofman. 35 00:02:03,610 --> 00:02:08,375 I live in New York city and my company GoToMarket, is really focused on changing 36 00:02:08,375 --> 00:02:12,675 the way that businesses approach branded merchandise on a large scale, right? 37 00:02:12,695 --> 00:02:16,394 Like we're trying to teach companies how to be more sustainable, more 38 00:02:16,404 --> 00:02:20,674 interesting, and how to use merchandise as a tool to actually grow their 39 00:02:20,684 --> 00:02:24,385 business instead of just like junk that you're handing out or an annoying, you 40 00:02:24,385 --> 00:02:26,215 know, Task on your to do list, right? 41 00:02:26,215 --> 00:02:29,815 Like it should be a part of your marketing engine and it's a 42 00:02:29,815 --> 00:02:31,605 really fun part of the business. 43 00:02:31,925 --> 00:02:35,774 And so we're teaching people how to embrace that and get excited 44 00:02:35,774 --> 00:02:37,974 about their brand of merchandise because they're doing it in this 45 00:02:37,985 --> 00:02:40,134 like sustainable, non stressful way. 46 00:02:41,134 --> 00:02:42,965 I love so many things about this. 47 00:02:43,005 --> 00:02:48,645 And as someone who started my career as the marketing specialist and doing 48 00:02:48,645 --> 00:02:52,255 booths and trying to be responsible for the brand, for buying merchandise 49 00:02:52,265 --> 00:02:53,975 for trade shows and that kind of thing. 50 00:02:53,984 --> 00:02:58,975 I, it was, I can't tell you how many books I've poured through, how many websites 51 00:02:58,975 --> 00:03:03,375 I've poured through trying to figure out like what's going to be meaningful 52 00:03:03,425 --> 00:03:09,204 and actually tie into what we're doing and still be something that people are 53 00:03:09,204 --> 00:03:11,549 going to want to wear, keep around, like. 54 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:16,209 I call it like coming from a beach, like Northern California, like hippie 55 00:03:16,209 --> 00:03:18,859 town, like waste drives me nuts. 56 00:03:18,929 --> 00:03:22,070 So seeing all the waste at trade shows drives and like just 57 00:03:22,139 --> 00:03:25,700 merchandise in general, I think it makes a lot of people upset. 58 00:03:25,719 --> 00:03:31,140 And I think that one thing that companies miss is that when you're 59 00:03:31,179 --> 00:03:35,219 giving someone a gift, if they don't want it, it is not a gift. 60 00:03:35,230 --> 00:03:36,779 It's garbage and it's a burden. 61 00:03:37,399 --> 00:03:41,590 So it's just the kind of thing that's, it's a wildly. 62 00:03:41,955 --> 00:03:46,625 Large missed opportunity because not only are you creating a 63 00:03:46,625 --> 00:03:47,925 negative experience, right? 64 00:03:47,954 --> 00:03:50,644 Obviously, it's a positive experience when somebody first gets something 65 00:03:50,655 --> 00:03:53,454 because everyone loves to get a little gift But then they realize 66 00:03:53,454 --> 00:03:56,530 like oh this keychain is garbage. 67 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:58,280 I don't actually want this. 68 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:00,690 And then it's like, well, then you have the waste question. 69 00:04:00,690 --> 00:04:03,869 It's like, okay, well now I have the choice of like throwing 70 00:04:03,870 --> 00:04:08,610 this out or donating it or finding a way to repurpose it. 71 00:04:08,610 --> 00:04:11,249 And then people have the decision fatigue and they end up just like shoving it in a 72 00:04:11,250 --> 00:04:13,439 drawer, which is really bad for everyone. 73 00:04:14,010 --> 00:04:15,710 So we encourage companies. 74 00:04:15,860 --> 00:04:19,090 And just going back to another thing you said about trade 75 00:04:19,090 --> 00:04:20,910 shows, how it's stressful. 76 00:04:20,910 --> 00:04:24,480 One of the things that companies get wrong is that they're thinking 77 00:04:24,510 --> 00:04:28,130 about getting like the latest tech thing or trying there. 78 00:04:28,140 --> 00:04:30,749 They think that the magic of branded merchandise is actually 79 00:04:30,749 --> 00:04:34,795 in like the gadgetiness of the item that they're getting. 80 00:04:34,805 --> 00:04:36,385 And that's actually not it at all. 81 00:04:36,784 --> 00:04:44,275 We advise companies to design trendy, cool on, on trend, fashionable, exciting 82 00:04:44,284 --> 00:04:45,684 items that people actually want to wear. 83 00:04:45,684 --> 00:04:49,854 So it is still a t shirt or a sweatshirt or a hat or a tote bag. 84 00:04:50,255 --> 00:04:52,155 There's no like, chip in it. 85 00:04:52,155 --> 00:04:55,435 It's not like, it's not doing anything magical, but it's like 86 00:04:55,455 --> 00:04:58,815 meaningful because it represents the company and it looks cool. 87 00:04:59,354 --> 00:05:00,745 Which is magical in itself. 88 00:05:00,745 --> 00:05:01,025 Right. 89 00:05:01,075 --> 00:05:02,034 When you can get it right. 90 00:05:02,924 --> 00:05:07,455 There's so many times where like the polos with the logo, you're like, cool. 91 00:05:08,455 --> 00:05:11,034 There are some people who want the polos with the logo though. 92 00:05:11,085 --> 00:05:14,325 And that's why we're such big advocates of choice. 93 00:05:14,935 --> 00:05:18,175 Right, like we like to say, let people choose the merchandise that they want. 94 00:05:18,175 --> 00:05:20,995 And there are people, so one of our clients is a bookkeeping 95 00:05:20,995 --> 00:05:23,635 and accounting firm, and they're really like edgy and cool. 96 00:05:23,695 --> 00:05:27,505 We have these, this shirt for them that says Finance Rebel, and it's 97 00:05:27,505 --> 00:05:32,215 really cool, but there's a big part of their team who are these like middle 98 00:05:32,215 --> 00:05:33,596 aged white guys and they want the. 99 00:05:34,596 --> 00:05:36,296 with the embroidered logo on it. 100 00:05:36,296 --> 00:05:39,406 And like, we can offer that to them, but not everybody has to wear that. 101 00:05:39,406 --> 00:05:43,766 Some people can have the finance rebel, lightning bolt, David Bowie type t shirt. 102 00:05:44,046 --> 00:05:45,525 And so there's something for everyone. 103 00:05:45,526 --> 00:05:48,226 And people can order in the size, shape, style, color that they 104 00:05:48,226 --> 00:05:52,856 want in a way that The company doesn't have to have any inventory. 105 00:05:53,576 --> 00:05:54,676 And that's really important too. 106 00:05:54,676 --> 00:05:59,986 So there's, I have so many questions for you because as a small business 107 00:05:59,986 --> 00:06:03,865 owner, it's, you usually think of merchandise, you're like, Oh my gosh, 108 00:06:03,866 --> 00:06:05,555 it's going to be really expensive. 109 00:06:05,585 --> 00:06:07,376 I want to give something out to my clients, but I 110 00:06:07,386 --> 00:06:09,196 don't necessarily know what. 111 00:06:09,745 --> 00:06:12,536 There's a lot of things or something to my team. 112 00:06:12,546 --> 00:06:14,936 If I, if people have a small team, like. 113 00:06:15,291 --> 00:06:18,451 And even like, I would love to have something cool to be able 114 00:06:18,451 --> 00:06:19,711 to send out to my podcast guests. 115 00:06:19,751 --> 00:06:24,101 Like, how do you work with people? 116 00:06:24,546 --> 00:06:25,706 Who are in that situation? 117 00:06:26,066 --> 00:06:28,956 Like I said, it's really different from what traditional 118 00:06:29,056 --> 00:06:30,736 branded merchandise is, right? 119 00:06:31,016 --> 00:06:35,206 So like a traditional company is going to funnel you into bulk purchasing. 120 00:06:35,206 --> 00:06:37,445 And what that means is that there's order minimums. 121 00:06:37,696 --> 00:06:39,416 You have to know your sizes in advance. 122 00:06:39,416 --> 00:06:43,405 You commit to a style with like limited colors and you're like, okay, I'm going 123 00:06:43,406 --> 00:06:47,445 to do this like yellow and blue t shirt this many and small, this many and medium, 124 00:06:47,445 --> 00:06:49,195 this many and large and ship it to me. 125 00:06:49,195 --> 00:06:51,395 I'm going to have it here and then I'm going to distribute it. 126 00:06:51,396 --> 00:06:53,586 And that model is. 127 00:06:54,206 --> 00:06:57,886 Very like time consuming, expensive, annoying, and inefficient. 128 00:06:58,486 --> 00:07:00,786 So what we do, and wasteful, yes. 129 00:07:00,796 --> 00:07:07,345 So what we do is we design custom print on demand shops for businesses. 130 00:07:07,636 --> 00:07:09,516 So if your podcast. 131 00:07:09,996 --> 00:07:13,176 For example, where to have branded merch, we would create a beautiful 132 00:07:13,176 --> 00:07:17,346 digital storefront f for, for you that had, that highlighted the 133 00:07:17,346 --> 00:07:20,166 values of invisible to invincible. 134 00:07:20,166 --> 00:07:25,286 So it's not just gonna say invisible to invincible, it's gonna really make, it's, 135 00:07:25,286 --> 00:07:29,756 it's like gonna feel like what people feel like when they're listening to the show or 136 00:07:29,756 --> 00:07:31,881 relating to you or like working with you. 137 00:07:32,716 --> 00:07:35,596 People who are drawn to you are drawn to you for a reason. 138 00:07:35,886 --> 00:07:40,086 And we are figuring out what that reason is and designing it for beautiful 139 00:07:40,086 --> 00:07:45,016 branded merchandise, and then setting up a custom print on demand shop so that 140 00:07:45,016 --> 00:07:48,365 you can have merchandise for everyone who listens to you, no matter where 141 00:07:48,365 --> 00:07:50,765 they are in an inventory free way. 142 00:07:51,126 --> 00:07:51,836 That's amazing. 143 00:07:52,201 --> 00:07:53,451 That is absolutely amazing. 144 00:07:53,451 --> 00:07:54,471 What an amazing service. 145 00:07:55,470 --> 00:08:00,291 Once again, as someone who has spent hours, I would say days or 146 00:08:00,291 --> 00:08:04,711 weeks of my life trying to figure out like what the perfect thing is. 147 00:08:04,751 --> 00:08:09,271 And it's all, and it's very, and this might just be my age talking, but like 148 00:08:09,381 --> 00:08:12,451 I always think merchandise and giveaway stuff, I always think like trade shows, 149 00:08:12,961 --> 00:08:17,731 but it doesn't have to be limited now that we don't have to have inventory on hand. 150 00:08:17,731 --> 00:08:19,551 It doesn't have to be limited to trade shows. 151 00:08:19,581 --> 00:08:22,091 It can be, it opens it up for. 152 00:08:22,596 --> 00:08:25,646 cool t shirts just to be able to wear like yours, like you're wearing now. 153 00:08:26,646 --> 00:08:28,966 So it goes way beyond trade shows, right? 154 00:08:28,996 --> 00:08:32,226 So trade shows are a few people think of them for branded merchandise because you 155 00:08:32,226 --> 00:08:33,536 want to have something to give people. 156 00:08:33,885 --> 00:08:37,465 But I would say don't, if you don't have anything nice to 157 00:08:37,465 --> 00:08:38,475 say, don't say anything at all. 158 00:08:38,675 --> 00:08:41,006 If you only have junk, don't give away junk. 159 00:08:41,075 --> 00:08:44,296 Better to give away nothing than to give away junk to somebody. 160 00:08:44,786 --> 00:08:46,116 But we like to advise. 161 00:08:46,455 --> 00:08:51,336 That companies use brand and merchandise as a gifting platform as a loyalty 162 00:08:51,376 --> 00:08:57,106 reward as an incentive for purchase for community building as thank you gifts. 163 00:08:57,235 --> 00:09:02,165 Like there's a million ways to and also to highlight your values in 164 00:09:02,165 --> 00:09:06,746 social media to help you stand out and to add legitimacy to your business 165 00:09:06,746 --> 00:09:08,336 and excitement and fresh content. 166 00:09:08,415 --> 00:09:10,836 Like there's so many ways that you can use merchandise to 167 00:09:10,846 --> 00:09:12,106 actually grow your business. 168 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:16,031 It's not just the pens that you're giving out to people, right? 169 00:09:16,050 --> 00:09:17,971 In fact, we tell people not to print pens. 170 00:09:17,971 --> 00:09:19,691 Like pens are not relationship builders. 171 00:09:20,001 --> 00:09:23,170 Unless you're a stationary company or there's some like really 172 00:09:23,171 --> 00:09:24,830 compelling reason to do it. 173 00:09:24,831 --> 00:09:24,850 Right. 174 00:09:25,521 --> 00:09:26,511 Yeah, no, that makes sense. 175 00:09:26,921 --> 00:09:31,391 I have a friend who they went to, Oh gosh, the big tech. 176 00:09:31,471 --> 00:09:34,930 I momentarily forgot the name, the big tech conference in Vegas every year. 177 00:09:35,501 --> 00:09:39,301 And they had led backpacks that had messages on the back. 178 00:09:39,330 --> 00:09:42,781 And she's like, I've never had been stopped so many times with like that 179 00:09:42,781 --> 00:09:47,381 creative idea of for her business. 180 00:09:47,981 --> 00:09:50,911 And like, then she had the cool t shirts and things to go with it. 181 00:09:50,911 --> 00:09:58,390 And it's just so fascinating how creative you can become When you stop thinking of 182 00:09:58,420 --> 00:10:00,220 like, okay, it's gotta be a polo shirt. 183 00:10:00,230 --> 00:10:03,520 It's gotta be this, it's gotta be a pen and all the traditional ways that 184 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:05,140 we're used to seeing merchandise. 185 00:10:05,990 --> 00:10:08,300 Well, companies really run into a problem because. 186 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:12,800 They're thinking in terms of giving something to everyone, right? 187 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:15,470 I would say, and then the budget gets really small, which is 188 00:10:15,470 --> 00:10:16,970 why people end up making junk. 189 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,090 They're like, okay, well we actually only have $5 per person. 190 00:10:20,740 --> 00:10:22,630 And it's like, well, what can we, I get this all the time. 191 00:10:22,630 --> 00:10:24,220 What can we do with $5 per person? 192 00:10:24,225 --> 00:10:25,270 It's like, do nothing. 193 00:10:25,540 --> 00:10:26,320 Invest in something. 194 00:10:26,890 --> 00:10:29,680 I would say instead, take your budget, give fewer. 195 00:10:30,050 --> 00:10:33,480 thing, give high quality things to fewer people, right? 196 00:10:33,480 --> 00:10:36,840 So like just give it to your team or give it to your top, the people who 197 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:39,060 spend the most amount of money with you, the people who spend the most 198 00:10:39,061 --> 00:10:42,410 amount of time for you, people who are referring the most number of people, 199 00:10:42,590 --> 00:10:44,880 give them a gorgeous hoodie, right? 200 00:10:44,940 --> 00:10:48,400 Let them buy into your business and think about branded merchandise 201 00:10:48,830 --> 00:10:51,030 as an investment in advertising. 202 00:10:51,410 --> 00:10:55,915 So like if you have a local business, There is no reason that you should 203 00:10:55,915 --> 00:11:00,525 not be designing something beautiful that people actually want to wear 204 00:11:00,525 --> 00:11:02,145 and will wear around your town. 205 00:11:02,345 --> 00:11:05,645 Because how much would you pay someone to wear your brand around town? 206 00:11:05,675 --> 00:11:06,795 That's a walking billboard. 207 00:11:07,795 --> 00:11:10,225 Such a good way to look at this. 208 00:11:10,305 --> 00:11:12,580 And Amanda, how did you get into this area? 209 00:11:13,560 --> 00:11:15,300 So this is my second company. 210 00:11:15,570 --> 00:11:19,380 My first business was an events company for women in New York city, which 211 00:11:19,380 --> 00:11:21,380 was really fun and crazy and wild. 212 00:11:21,390 --> 00:11:24,720 And then I had kids and I was like, I don't, this is not, 213 00:11:24,890 --> 00:11:25,790 this is not for me anymore. 214 00:11:25,790 --> 00:11:26,850 So I sold that business. 215 00:11:27,150 --> 00:11:28,870 I was home with my kids for a little while. 216 00:11:29,190 --> 00:11:32,915 And then when I was ready to start another company, I was, Looking into 217 00:11:32,915 --> 00:11:34,225 lots of different opportunities. 218 00:11:34,445 --> 00:11:38,005 And obviously this is the very cleaned up tidy version. 219 00:11:38,005 --> 00:11:42,195 This was much messier than it sounds, but I came across print on demand 220 00:11:42,195 --> 00:11:45,795 technology, which is what I've been talking to you about, which means items 221 00:11:45,795 --> 00:11:47,985 print one at a time as they're ordered. 222 00:11:48,015 --> 00:11:52,755 So you don't have any inventory and you don't have the burden of distribution. 223 00:11:53,755 --> 00:11:57,850 And I was like, coming from the entrepreneurial world, I knew how 224 00:11:57,850 --> 00:12:01,370 many businesses needed this, how many businesses wanted branded merchandise 225 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:06,490 myself included, but like we're deterred by these minimum order sizes and all 226 00:12:06,490 --> 00:12:10,060 of this headache and just the sheer overwhelm of like, what do you mean? 227 00:12:10,060 --> 00:12:12,340 There are 80 types of t shirt, right? 228 00:12:12,390 --> 00:12:17,795 Like I just, I can't like I have had the same trouble when I was planning 229 00:12:17,795 --> 00:12:18,945 my wedding a million years ago. 230 00:12:18,975 --> 00:12:19,945 I'm like, I don't know. 231 00:12:20,065 --> 00:12:21,255 They're all napkins. 232 00:12:21,345 --> 00:12:27,025 Like just, I cannot bother with like the colors here. 233 00:12:27,065 --> 00:12:28,395 Now I was thinking about napkins. 234 00:12:28,395 --> 00:12:29,295 I lost my train of thought. 235 00:12:29,345 --> 00:12:31,225 How you started Print on Demand? 236 00:12:31,565 --> 00:12:34,175 Actually helping to find choice. 237 00:12:34,895 --> 00:12:36,245 I learned about print on demand. 238 00:12:36,245 --> 00:12:38,885 I'm like, everyone needs to know about this and how to do it. 239 00:12:38,915 --> 00:12:40,795 So we positioned ourselves. 240 00:12:40,835 --> 00:12:44,975 I approached my, my business partner was my designer on my first company. 241 00:12:44,975 --> 00:12:46,775 So we've been working together for a long time. 242 00:12:46,775 --> 00:12:48,485 We knew each other pretty well. 243 00:12:48,485 --> 00:12:51,305 I approached her with this idea and she was on board. 244 00:12:51,306 --> 00:12:51,975 So. 245 00:12:52,345 --> 00:12:57,095 Together we've been running this business for four and a half years almost. 246 00:12:58,095 --> 00:12:58,895 That's amazing. 247 00:12:59,545 --> 00:13:04,015 And I think that when you start to look at what you can do and the impact 248 00:13:04,025 --> 00:13:10,985 that it can make, because a lot of people in my mind get so used to, 249 00:13:11,375 --> 00:13:12,705 especially since the pandemic, right? 250 00:13:12,705 --> 00:13:16,225 Like are so used to working with people online and meeting people online 251 00:13:16,225 --> 00:13:17,665 that we forget the power of local. 252 00:13:18,665 --> 00:13:20,195 And like you said, a walking billboard. 253 00:13:21,195 --> 00:13:24,595 Well, not only that, when you're talking about remote, the, that 254 00:13:24,655 --> 00:13:27,655 people being digital now, it's like some teams are fully remote. 255 00:13:28,385 --> 00:13:33,025 And to have branded merchandise as like a tangible item to bring you 256 00:13:33,025 --> 00:13:35,115 together is actually quite powerful. 257 00:13:35,325 --> 00:13:38,535 So like everyone shows up to the team, to a team meeting and they're 258 00:13:38,535 --> 00:13:39,825 wearing their company merch. 259 00:13:39,835 --> 00:13:42,245 It's like nothing replaces being in person. 260 00:13:42,245 --> 00:13:45,555 But given that we're not like a lot of companies are not doing that anymore or 261 00:13:45,555 --> 00:13:49,525 doing it as often, branded merchandise is a thing that you hold in your hands 262 00:13:49,525 --> 00:13:51,145 that connects you to your company. 263 00:13:51,660 --> 00:13:55,520 I have been, we're using, we're streaming on e cam now and I just spoke 264 00:13:55,520 --> 00:13:58,860 at one of their events last week and it's like for a streaming software 265 00:13:58,860 --> 00:14:00,460 company, they're excellent at this. 266 00:14:00,460 --> 00:14:04,260 I've got a mug that they sent for free and they offered us t shirts 267 00:14:04,780 --> 00:14:08,070 and I frequently end up wearing my e cam t shirts because they're cool, 268 00:14:08,070 --> 00:14:12,540 they're comfortable, they're fun and it's very much like, hey, I'm hanging 269 00:14:12,540 --> 00:14:14,810 out in my key, my t shirt right now. 270 00:14:15,810 --> 00:14:20,840 It does, there is an element of that loyalty that I think a lot of. 271 00:14:21,475 --> 00:14:25,515 Business owners and entrepreneurs, it seems, I don't even know why, 272 00:14:25,525 --> 00:14:27,285 like it's such an overlooked thing. 273 00:14:28,215 --> 00:14:34,265 Because I think that people have this impression, rightly, that branded 274 00:14:34,265 --> 00:14:39,225 merchandise is expensive, bulky, annoying, time consuming, and wasteful. 275 00:14:39,525 --> 00:14:39,715 Yeah. 276 00:14:39,745 --> 00:14:43,285 Which, when you order in bulk, a lot of the times, it is. 277 00:14:44,260 --> 00:14:47,050 That's why we add, that's why we're trying to change things so dramatically. 278 00:14:47,050 --> 00:14:52,120 We're creating this longterm, easy, sustainable solution for businesses. 279 00:14:52,530 --> 00:14:55,940 And I think that the most important piece of what we do is that we're 280 00:14:55,940 --> 00:14:58,100 not putting a logo on things. 281 00:14:58,230 --> 00:15:01,200 I mean, your logo is on things, but it's not about your logo. 282 00:15:01,500 --> 00:15:03,310 It's about the values of your business. 283 00:15:03,311 --> 00:15:05,270 This is about the special part of your business. 284 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:10,550 It's that thing that draws your clients and your customers to you made it. 285 00:15:10,935 --> 00:15:14,415 like manifest in gorgeous branded merchandise. 286 00:15:15,185 --> 00:15:16,305 And I think that's, what's missing. 287 00:15:16,305 --> 00:15:19,105 So like the e cam shirts that you wear, I'm sure it's not just 288 00:15:19,125 --> 00:15:20,635 their logo on a shirt or a hat. 289 00:15:20,905 --> 00:15:21,325 No. 290 00:15:21,635 --> 00:15:25,135 And it's very much like the e cam fam and here's what it is. 291 00:15:25,135 --> 00:15:32,295 And like, it's a very cool kind of edgy streaming type focus, but you know, I want 292 00:15:32,295 --> 00:15:35,785 to go back to you for a second because you said this is your second business. 293 00:15:36,785 --> 00:15:37,285 And. 294 00:15:37,750 --> 00:15:41,960 When I see you on Instagram, like it's very much you highlighting 295 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:43,370 what's possible and what's there. 296 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:51,090 How did you Like did you always highlight yourself on as part of your business? 297 00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:54,990 Is that something that you had to work towards like talk a little bit about how 298 00:15:54,990 --> 00:15:56,940 you've incorporated yourself into it? 299 00:15:57,940 --> 00:15:58,550 Yeah. 300 00:15:58,570 --> 00:16:01,830 So my first business was pre social media and not to date myself too 301 00:16:01,830 --> 00:16:06,170 much, but that, that was, we were in business from 2009 until 2014. 302 00:16:06,170 --> 00:16:08,640 So like Instagram had really like just started. 303 00:16:08,730 --> 00:16:09,180 Yeah. 304 00:16:09,210 --> 00:16:14,620 So it really, I wasn't under pressure to like make reels, feature myself that way. 305 00:16:14,630 --> 00:16:21,850 However, I, The events company very much grew from my own network and I actually 306 00:16:21,860 --> 00:16:25,890 started very much front and center and eventually needed to extract myself from 307 00:16:25,890 --> 00:16:29,830 it so that the business could grow because it wasn't just like friends of Amanda 308 00:16:29,830 --> 00:16:33,360 and then friends of Amanda eventually it was like 10 degrees away from me 309 00:16:33,750 --> 00:16:38,340 growing and like people who didn't know my name and that to me was success. 310 00:16:39,340 --> 00:16:40,350 Could that work today? 311 00:16:40,350 --> 00:16:42,750 Like, not as well. 312 00:16:42,780 --> 00:16:43,020 Right. 313 00:16:43,020 --> 00:16:46,030 I think that like the landscape has completely changed with. 314 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:50,520 Reels and TikTok and all of that, like people, I feel like if they 315 00:16:50,530 --> 00:16:53,070 don't see that, they're like, well, wait, what's wrong with you? 316 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:54,030 Why wouldn't I? 317 00:16:54,545 --> 00:16:57,675 Why would I connect to you if I can't like see you and meet you? 318 00:16:57,675 --> 00:16:59,535 There's almost something suspicious about it. 319 00:17:00,075 --> 00:17:02,705 If you're asking me if it's comfortable for me, like I 320 00:17:02,835 --> 00:17:04,895 person, personality wise, yes. 321 00:17:05,295 --> 00:17:08,525 And it's part of the reason that my business partner and I work 322 00:17:08,525 --> 00:17:11,665 so well together is that we have completely opposite interests. 323 00:17:11,665 --> 00:17:13,925 Like you'll never see her on the Instagram feed. 324 00:17:13,925 --> 00:17:18,315 She's very much as much, she is as much a part of the company as I am, but 325 00:17:18,315 --> 00:17:20,950 she is not She's an introvert, right? 326 00:17:20,950 --> 00:17:24,480 Like she does not want to be, I mean, she'd rather I can't, I can 327 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:26,930 make you a list of a thousand things she'd rather do before she left. 328 00:17:27,470 --> 00:17:29,870 And which is why it's nice that I can do that. 329 00:17:29,870 --> 00:17:32,140 And of course there are things the other way around that she does 330 00:17:32,140 --> 00:17:35,520 that I would never ever want to do or don't have the skills to do. 331 00:17:35,820 --> 00:17:40,410 So I think that's a luxury that I have in Running a business with a partner. 332 00:17:40,770 --> 00:17:41,950 That's absolutely true. 333 00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:43,160 That is absolutely true. 334 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:48,270 I talked to so many people and so many people who tune in who don't 335 00:17:48,350 --> 00:17:53,620 love to promote themselves, who don't love to get out in front of things. 336 00:17:53,620 --> 00:17:58,320 But I also think that wearing brand and merchandise and having brand and 337 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:00,560 merchandise is an easy way to get started. 338 00:18:01,420 --> 00:18:01,600 Right. 339 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:02,140 Absolutely. 340 00:18:02,510 --> 00:18:05,110 It just communicates your values immediately. 341 00:18:05,150 --> 00:18:07,660 It just, especially when you're in a crowded field. 342 00:18:07,660 --> 00:18:11,150 So like if you're a coach, if you're a consultant, if you're a 343 00:18:11,150 --> 00:18:15,930 fractional worker, if you're a VA, like any kind of business accountant, 344 00:18:15,930 --> 00:18:19,870 bookkeepers, any kind of business that you're in, you want to stand out. 345 00:18:19,950 --> 00:18:23,230 And a lot of that comes from like your content and how you show up. 346 00:18:23,490 --> 00:18:26,750 But in a moment, in, in the blink of an eye, you want to 347 00:18:26,750 --> 00:18:28,270 communicate as much as you can. 348 00:18:28,620 --> 00:18:31,480 And like, so for example, I'm wearing my merch mentor. 349 00:18:31,965 --> 00:18:32,415 t shirt. 350 00:18:32,425 --> 00:18:35,345 Like I think this t shirt says a lot, even if you just see a 351 00:18:35,345 --> 00:18:40,025 thumbnail of this podcast, it's like, you know what I'm about. 352 00:18:40,515 --> 00:18:44,285 It's like, without really just with these two words and the way that this 353 00:18:44,295 --> 00:18:46,295 is designed, you have an idea of. 354 00:18:46,725 --> 00:18:48,105 Who I am and what I'm selling. 355 00:18:48,985 --> 00:18:53,315 So I think that everybody could have that and it would be like a huge 356 00:18:53,315 --> 00:18:55,295 leg up in the social media world. 357 00:18:56,205 --> 00:18:56,835 Absolutely. 358 00:18:56,905 --> 00:18:57,405 Absolutely. 359 00:18:57,405 --> 00:18:58,705 And my dog's growling over here. 360 00:18:58,705 --> 00:19:00,895 I don't know if you can hear him, but he's like, I don't care. 361 00:19:00,895 --> 00:19:03,465 I'm in here so I don't hear any background noise. 362 00:19:03,475 --> 00:19:05,585 It's just all in the background to me. 363 00:19:05,586 --> 00:19:06,005 Perfect. 364 00:19:06,005 --> 00:19:06,405 Perfect. 365 00:19:06,445 --> 00:19:07,425 Cause he's agreeing. 366 00:19:07,435 --> 00:19:09,085 He's growling in agreement over here. 367 00:19:09,086 --> 00:19:10,655 He's like, Amanda's right. 368 00:19:11,165 --> 00:19:11,545 Yeah. 369 00:19:11,545 --> 00:19:15,525 It's so interesting to me because it also like, I think the other 370 00:19:15,525 --> 00:19:20,065 thing that I see that I get a little envious about is The people who show 371 00:19:20,065 --> 00:19:24,955 up a lot in content and their merch becomes almost their uniform, right? 372 00:19:24,955 --> 00:19:26,475 Like you're used to seeing it. 373 00:19:26,485 --> 00:19:28,205 They don't have to worry about all their other clothes. 374 00:19:29,185 --> 00:19:29,595 Pardon? 375 00:19:30,435 --> 00:19:31,655 You're speaking my language. 376 00:19:31,685 --> 00:19:33,555 I wear this shirt all the time. 377 00:19:33,555 --> 00:19:37,765 It's this one or like my peace love merch or my, I just keep a bag of 378 00:19:37,795 --> 00:19:39,135 these clothes right next to my desk. 379 00:19:39,165 --> 00:19:43,355 I never show up to a call or a podcast without wearing one of 380 00:19:43,355 --> 00:19:44,575 these things because it's my brand. 381 00:19:44,575 --> 00:19:45,275 It's who I am. 382 00:19:46,095 --> 00:19:48,155 I'm trying to connect in people's minds. 383 00:19:48,590 --> 00:19:49,330 Amanda merch. 384 00:19:49,330 --> 00:19:51,900 So anytime somebody thinks about merch, they think Amanda. 385 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:53,760 And it's actually worked. 386 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:56,650 I get quite a number of referrals from people who are just like, 387 00:19:57,080 --> 00:19:58,160 Oh, this thing popped up. 388 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:00,200 And I thought of you and I'm like, yeah, it's cause I'm putting 389 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:02,180 it in your face constantly. 390 00:20:03,180 --> 00:20:04,540 It's like, there it is. 391 00:20:04,550 --> 00:20:05,510 Like it's effective. 392 00:20:06,185 --> 00:20:11,245 And it's so smart, and it's one of those things where, if, for those of you tune, 393 00:20:11,295 --> 00:20:15,705 tune, la la, for those of you tuning in, I hope you're paying attention to this 394 00:20:15,705 --> 00:20:19,855 because it is something that it's as subtle as like having it on your back wall 395 00:20:19,855 --> 00:20:23,085 when you see the neon signs or the signs that people have about their brand behind 396 00:20:23,085 --> 00:20:27,565 you, when behind them, it's the same, but it's actually, I think, more effective. 397 00:20:28,255 --> 00:20:30,375 Because it goes with you too, right? 398 00:20:30,375 --> 00:20:33,565 Like you said, it's like a billboard whenever you go places 399 00:20:33,565 --> 00:20:35,065 and it's a conversation starter. 400 00:20:36,065 --> 00:20:36,745 Absolutely. 401 00:20:36,945 --> 00:20:38,165 I could not agree more. 402 00:20:38,365 --> 00:20:40,545 And it takes the pressure off of like, what am I going to 403 00:20:40,545 --> 00:20:41,905 wear to this networking event? 404 00:20:41,915 --> 00:20:42,535 You know what? 405 00:20:42,665 --> 00:20:47,185 I wear these t shirts and sweatshirts to every event that I go to. 406 00:20:47,815 --> 00:20:48,525 And it's smart. 407 00:20:48,625 --> 00:20:49,185 You should. 408 00:20:49,845 --> 00:20:50,425 And they're cute. 409 00:20:51,115 --> 00:20:51,605 They're cute. 410 00:20:51,635 --> 00:20:52,365 They're super cute. 411 00:20:52,770 --> 00:20:58,280 So as we're looking as someone who might be thinking about how to stand 412 00:20:58,290 --> 00:21:03,890 out what they can do What advice do you have for someone who might 413 00:21:03,890 --> 00:21:07,160 be a solopreneur who might be like, that's not really in my budget. 414 00:21:07,310 --> 00:21:11,870 Should it be like, what advice do you have for someone who is new to the merch 415 00:21:11,880 --> 00:21:16,840 world and might be wanting to get their own networking, podcasting, video uniform? 416 00:21:17,840 --> 00:21:18,210 Yeah. 417 00:21:18,340 --> 00:21:21,190 So the, easiest thing that you can do. 418 00:21:21,230 --> 00:21:22,770 Well, okay, I'll start at the top. 419 00:21:23,550 --> 00:21:27,050 Everyone should hire us obviously to make a beautiful brand of 420 00:21:27,050 --> 00:21:28,050 merchandise page for them. 421 00:21:28,390 --> 00:21:32,280 Short of that, if you're going to do your own merchandise, the first thing I would 422 00:21:32,280 --> 00:21:36,710 say is think about your brand values. 423 00:21:37,025 --> 00:21:37,455 Right? 424 00:21:37,545 --> 00:21:40,625 Don't just print your logo on a shirt. 425 00:21:40,625 --> 00:21:43,035 That is not interesting. 426 00:21:43,045 --> 00:21:43,945 It's not enough. 427 00:21:44,005 --> 00:21:47,565 It's almost like printing the junkie pen. 428 00:21:47,595 --> 00:21:52,675 It's like, it's good, but it's not really doing what you want it to do. 429 00:21:52,675 --> 00:21:54,225 It's not relationship building. 430 00:21:54,295 --> 00:21:55,585 It's not moving the needle forward. 431 00:21:56,115 --> 00:22:00,725 So, I would brainstorm about like a two or three word phrase or a 432 00:22:00,725 --> 00:22:03,965 few of them that encapsulates who you are and what you're about. 433 00:22:04,025 --> 00:22:06,985 You can look at your Instagram feed and see what kind of text posts you've made in 434 00:22:07,015 --> 00:22:12,985 the past that have your own language and you can pull from there and then you can 435 00:22:12,985 --> 00:22:15,305 design one or two things on your own or. 436 00:22:15,555 --> 00:22:20,065 Think about an easier way to do that if you know a designer, and then you could 437 00:22:20,065 --> 00:22:22,275 just print like one or two things to wear. 438 00:22:22,275 --> 00:22:26,525 If you just want to get started like print one thing like you can do it. 439 00:22:26,895 --> 00:22:30,605 Go to a print on demand website like printful or printify upload your design 440 00:22:30,605 --> 00:22:32,375 print one shirt, wear that one shirt. 441 00:22:32,375 --> 00:22:35,865 That's like your, your, Step one, if you just want to get started, it's going 442 00:22:35,865 --> 00:22:40,485 to cost you a bit of time, a little bit of trial and error and around 25. 443 00:22:40,765 --> 00:22:45,385 And I actually can speak to that because I had my old live video was 444 00:22:45,435 --> 00:22:49,225 part series was part of my old brand. 445 00:22:49,235 --> 00:22:53,715 And I had a show called cannabis marketing live all puff, no fluff. 446 00:22:53,716 --> 00:22:58,325 And so I created a hoodie and a couple other things that just said 447 00:22:58,355 --> 00:22:59,905 all puff, no fluff, period, right? 448 00:22:59,915 --> 00:23:00,115 Perfect. 449 00:23:00,600 --> 00:23:04,770 On the back was the logo, but it was the all puff, no fluff 450 00:23:04,810 --> 00:23:06,120 that like people got, right? 451 00:23:06,150 --> 00:23:06,440 Like. 452 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:08,470 I'm going to interview people. 453 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:09,510 I'm going to talk to people. 454 00:23:09,780 --> 00:23:12,130 There's zero extra, right? 455 00:23:13,070 --> 00:23:14,530 We're going to get straight to the point. 456 00:23:14,900 --> 00:23:15,570 It'll be fun. 457 00:23:15,580 --> 00:23:17,290 It'll be entertaining, but this is what it is. 458 00:23:18,290 --> 00:23:18,800 There you go. 459 00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:21,500 And the colors that you choose and the fonts that you choose, all of that 460 00:23:21,510 --> 00:23:23,110 also communicates about your brand. 461 00:23:23,110 --> 00:23:25,920 And the same way that you take care when you make your logo, like 462 00:23:26,230 --> 00:23:29,690 these things should reflect who you are and what you're about. 463 00:23:30,230 --> 00:23:33,340 And if that feels intimidating, then you can reach out to us or a 464 00:23:33,340 --> 00:23:38,685 company like ours that can help you design something That feels really, 465 00:23:38,685 --> 00:23:42,125 it should feel good when you look at it, it should feel like your brand. 466 00:23:42,635 --> 00:23:45,285 If it doesn't, you know, start again. 467 00:23:45,755 --> 00:23:46,125 Yeah. 468 00:23:46,125 --> 00:23:47,295 And I'm going to reiterate that. 469 00:23:47,295 --> 00:23:49,315 Cause I was playing around to see what I could do. 470 00:23:49,315 --> 00:23:54,775 And I took one of the like design your own stuff and Options to try and see 471 00:23:54,775 --> 00:23:59,575 and get into the merchandise area for, so I'd have something for shows and 472 00:23:59,585 --> 00:24:00,785 for guests and that kind of thing. 473 00:24:00,815 --> 00:24:06,145 And I won't lie, it didn't feel like the final product felt good, but not great. 474 00:24:06,245 --> 00:24:09,895 And it was cool to see it in print and wear it, but it wasn't like, it 475 00:24:09,895 --> 00:24:12,725 was gray and it was just like, cool. 476 00:24:13,725 --> 00:24:13,935 Yeah. 477 00:24:13,935 --> 00:24:18,895 Brand and merchandise can feel like rockstar amazing when you have it right. 478 00:24:19,870 --> 00:24:22,670 Yeah, so I think that's like a really good point that you've 479 00:24:22,670 --> 00:24:24,160 made in terms of getting help. 480 00:24:24,160 --> 00:24:26,390 So if you're thinking about this, check it out. 481 00:24:26,400 --> 00:24:31,650 There are different options, but starting with someone like Amanda and 482 00:24:31,660 --> 00:24:34,510 her company, someone that knows what they're doing and a designer and all 483 00:24:34,510 --> 00:24:38,710 the places is a really solid place to start because then you're skipping all, 484 00:24:39,150 --> 00:24:41,950 let's talk about how much time I spent by the way, because I pretend I'm a 485 00:24:41,950 --> 00:24:45,910 designer, like the amount of time I spent, it would have been much better used. 486 00:24:46,905 --> 00:24:48,485 handing it to someone who is an expert. 487 00:24:49,215 --> 00:24:52,265 I think that people underestimate the amount of time that they spend 488 00:24:52,815 --> 00:24:55,365 handling bulk merchandise, right? 489 00:24:55,365 --> 00:24:58,155 Like deciding what to make, putting in the order. 490 00:24:58,155 --> 00:25:02,095 And then the hardest part of our branded merch at sorry, bulk 491 00:25:02,135 --> 00:25:05,525 print is that once you have it, that's when the real work starts. 492 00:25:05,545 --> 00:25:07,095 Cause then you have to distribute that. 493 00:25:07,105 --> 00:25:10,275 And for me, Going to the post office is like a nightmare. 494 00:25:10,335 --> 00:25:14,395 I just like, don't want to do it really ever. 495 00:25:14,395 --> 00:25:17,805 Like I will avoid returning things because I'm just like, I can't. 496 00:25:18,665 --> 00:25:20,025 I'll drive around with them in my car. 497 00:25:20,055 --> 00:25:20,615 They'll be fine. 498 00:25:21,595 --> 00:25:22,625 Don't waste your time. 499 00:25:22,635 --> 00:25:23,425 Like your time. 500 00:25:23,655 --> 00:25:27,015 If you're starting a company, probably the thing that you're really good at, 501 00:25:27,485 --> 00:25:30,005 the thing that you're selling, the thing that you're making the most money from 502 00:25:30,025 --> 00:25:32,145 is not designing branded merchandise. 503 00:25:32,245 --> 00:25:32,805 I'm guessing. 504 00:25:32,825 --> 00:25:33,775 Otherwise you would be. 505 00:25:34,775 --> 00:25:37,065 In my company or doing something similar. 506 00:25:37,315 --> 00:25:43,155 So like if you are a coach consultant, fractional CMO, bookkeeper, accountant, 507 00:25:43,205 --> 00:25:47,355 athlete, like do those things are going to make you money and outsource. 508 00:25:47,950 --> 00:25:49,600 I'm really glad one. 509 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:50,740 That's great advice. 510 00:25:50,740 --> 00:25:56,110 And two, I just, as we're talking, like I keep thinking of my, like I do an 511 00:25:56,120 --> 00:26:00,460 outrigger canoe paddling and the teams and the race jerseys and everything. 512 00:26:00,470 --> 00:26:02,680 Like you have to order them ahead of time because they're doing bulk 513 00:26:02,690 --> 00:26:03,900 and you have this and you have that. 514 00:26:03,900 --> 00:26:08,570 And there's so many things that could be created that would be so cool to have. 515 00:26:09,570 --> 00:26:15,260 And also not have to be worried about excess inventory that's been sold 516 00:26:15,260 --> 00:26:17,540 for way under cost the next year. 517 00:26:18,540 --> 00:26:18,890 Yeah. 518 00:26:18,890 --> 00:26:22,290 And also, or just like donate it or you don't want to see it 519 00:26:22,420 --> 00:26:23,700 like in your local Goodwill. 520 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:24,870 Exactly. 521 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:25,480 Oh my gosh. 522 00:26:25,500 --> 00:26:25,920 Yes. 523 00:26:26,480 --> 00:26:26,840 Yeah. 524 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:29,450 There's so many different applications for this. 525 00:26:29,470 --> 00:26:34,850 Not just, I know I'm talking to entrepreneurs and coaches, consultants 526 00:26:34,850 --> 00:26:38,450 and business owners, but there's also Like a lot of us have more 527 00:26:38,450 --> 00:26:40,050 than one thing in our lives, right? 528 00:26:40,080 --> 00:26:43,490 And so there's so many different applications that this could be used for. 529 00:26:43,820 --> 00:26:48,280 When you really start to think about how you want to stand out, what you want 530 00:26:48,290 --> 00:26:52,550 to stand out, and also the different aspects of our lives that include 531 00:26:52,550 --> 00:26:56,870 teams, and that include groups, or that include just fun things that, 532 00:26:57,030 --> 00:26:58,140 you know, could use some branding. 533 00:26:59,070 --> 00:27:00,270 Yeah, absolutely. 534 00:27:01,130 --> 00:27:05,710 Amanda, we're going to wrap up here as we get ready to go. 535 00:27:05,710 --> 00:27:08,000 Do you have any advice? 536 00:27:08,020 --> 00:27:09,790 You already mentioned how to get started. 537 00:27:09,810 --> 00:27:12,730 Do you have, can you tell everyone how they can get ahold of you? 538 00:27:12,890 --> 00:27:14,580 The links and things will be below as well. 539 00:27:15,580 --> 00:27:16,950 Yeah, so it's all those links. 540 00:27:16,970 --> 00:27:19,180 You can see our website at gotomarket. 541 00:27:19,190 --> 00:27:20,560 studio on Instagram. 542 00:27:20,570 --> 00:27:22,120 We are gotomarketstudio. 543 00:27:22,120 --> 00:27:23,440 I'm very active on LinkedIn. 544 00:27:23,450 --> 00:27:25,020 I'd love for you to follow me there. 545 00:27:25,040 --> 00:27:29,520 I'm Amanda Hofman with 1F and if you message me on any of those 546 00:27:29,570 --> 00:27:32,760 platforms, I will happily reach out and talk to you about your business. 547 00:27:33,470 --> 00:27:34,030 Awesome. 548 00:27:34,070 --> 00:27:38,160 Thank you so much and thank you all for being here and until 549 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:40,030 next time, I'm Kendra Losee. 550 00:27:40,090 --> 00:27:41,940 This is the Invisible to Invincible podcast. 551 00:27:42,330 --> 00:27:42,900 Thank you.