In this week’s episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Kirby Hasseman and Jade Crider dig into three big brand moves that are making waves right now — and pull out the lessons that every small and medium-sized business can actually use. From reinventing the car buying experience to building buzz before a book even launches to getting creative when you cannot show your own logo, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. And before you dive in, grab your free spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
Carvana Playground — Remove the Friction and Win
Carvana made headlines recently with a bold move — a new experience built around one simple idea. No commission salespeople.
Think about what that communicates to a customer who has ever dreaded walking onto a car lot. The thing that makes most people anxious about buying a car is gone before they even walk in the door. And in its place is something fun, low pressure, and memorable.
That is not just a sales strategy. That is a marketing strategy.
The lesson for small businesses is powerful and completely transferable. Every industry has a thing that customers dread. The hidden fees. The pushy follow-up. The confusing process. The feeling that someone is trying to squeeze as much out of them as possible. What if you identified that thing in your business and eliminated it?
Removing friction is one of the most underrated moves a business can make. It builds trust before the sale even happens. It generates word of mouth because people talk about experiences that surprised them. And it communicates your values more clearly than any tagline ever could.
You do not need a playground to pull this off. You just need to be honest about where your customer experience creates anxiety — and be willing to do something about it.
ACOTAR Monopoly — Build the Buzz Before You Need It
If you are not familiar with ACOTAR — A Court of Thorns and Roses — you might not be in the target demographic. But pay attention anyway because there is a marketing lesson here that applies to every business.
Before the latest book in the series even launched, a branded Monopoly game tied to the ACOTAR universe hit the market. Fans went wild. They bought it, posted about it, talked about it, and built excitement for a product that was not even available yet.
That is the power of a built in community — and the power of merch as a marketing activation rather than an afterthought.
For small businesses the takeaway is this: are you building your audience before you need them? Most businesses only market when they have something to sell. The brands that build real momentum are the ones showing up consistently, giving their community something to engage with, and creating anticipation long before the main event arrives.
And think about your merch through that lens. A well chosen branded product is not just a giveaway. It is a conversation starter. It is a way to get your most loyal customers to carry your brand into the world before you even ask them to. Know your superfans. Give them something worth rallying around.
Levi’s at the World Cup — Creativity Beats Constraint Every Time
This one is almost too good. Levi’s — one of the most recognizable brands on the planet — found themselves in a situation where they could not display their own logo at their own stadium during the World Cup.
So what did they do? They got creative.
And that is the whole lesson right there. The rules of the game change. Budgets get cut. Platforms shift. Partnerships fall through. Algorithms change overnight. Every business faces moments where the obvious path is blocked and you have to find another way.
The brands that survive and thrive in those moments are not the ones with the biggest budgets. They are the ones with the most creative thinking and the clearest sense of who they are beyond their logo.
Because here is the thing — Levi’s did not need the logo. Everyone already knew it was Levi’s. That is decades of brand equity doing its job. And while most small businesses are not quite there yet, the principle still applies. Your colors, your voice, your values, your people — all of that communicates your brand. The logo is just the shorthand.
It is also a real lesson about sponsorships and partnerships. If you are investing in an event, a venue, or a collaboration, know exactly what you are getting and have a creative plan for maximizing that visibility. Do not write a check and assume people will notice. Show up with intention.
Product of the Week: The Recycled Mouse Mat
This week’s Product of the Week is the Recycled Mouse Mat — and it checks every box. Eco friendly materials that align with the sustainability values more and more customers care about. Full color decoration edge to edge included so your brand looks incredible right out of the box. And premium desk real estate that keeps your logo in front of your perfect customer every single day.
A mouse mat is one of those products that just lives on a desk. It does not get thrown away. It does not get lost in a drawer. It sits right there in front of someone for hours every day — which means your brand does too. Check it out here.
Grab Your Free Spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp
Ready to stop marketing randomly and start building something intentional? The FREE 5 Day Business Bootcamp is the place to start. Get access now at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
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