03/16/2026
So I’ll be straight up.
There isn’t one magic source I can track on a spreadsheet. It’s a mix of brands, bands, businesses, and events. I can’t always measure it, but I know where the momentum comes from.
The Word of Mouth Loop
Doing great work for great people leads to more of the same. In the custom world, reputation travels faster than an ad. When you over-deliver, you’re investing in the next orders. If the work is loud enough, you don’t have to shout.
Visual Proof
Your work needs to look as good as it feels, the ‘vibe check’. If you are stoked on the value you add, that shows on social media. A client just wants to see if you really ‘get it’. It’s critical to show that you’re dialed in.
The Quality & Consistency Moat
Most competitors can deliver a result once. Very few do it every time. We’ve built a standard that’s hard to replicate: being the reliable choice while layering in trending options. A cheaper shop can match a quote, but they can’t match HOW you do things.
Human Outreach
In 2026, every inbox is a graveyard of AI noise. When we reach out, it’s a human, not a sequence. Focused outreach to the right people is how we land clients who don’t hang out on Instagram. Quality over quantity, every time.
Say YES to In-Person
You can’t build an empire behind a screen. Whether it’s Chamber meetups or growth classes, you have to show up. In the room, you aren’t a name; you’re a peer. They ‘know a guy’ now. You hear about projects months before they go to bid.
The real lesson?
Business is about trust and relationships. Most people hide behind an algorithm; we built ours on service and quality. I’ve never run things the traditional way, but the foundation makes the systems work.
If you want to see how I manage merch day-to-day, stick around with a follow.
