In this week’s episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Kirby Hasseman and Jade Crider tap into one of the most fun trending formats right now — the worth the splurge list — share updates on the upcoming Rock Your Merch show and why you need to be there, and get honest about something a lot of business owners struggle with — taking real time away from the business and why it matters more than you think. And before you dive in, grab your free spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
Worth the Splurge: The Products We Can’t Stop Recommending
There is a trend making the rounds right now and Kirby and Jade could not resist putting their own spin on it. The format is simple — five things you spent more on than you maybe planned to and would absolutely do it again without hesitation.
Because here is the thing about quality. You do not always know what you are missing until you experience it. And once you do, it is very hard to go back.
When people talk about branded merch feeling cheap or throwaway, this is the other side of that conversation. These are items that could carry your logo and deliver a premium experience every single time someone uses them. These are the kinds of products that sit on someone’s desk, ride in someone’s car, travel with someone to every meeting — and every time they do, your brand goes with them. Listen in to this episode for the full list!
The bigger marketing lesson underneath all of this is one Kirby and Jade come back to often. You cannot truly appreciate the difference between good merch and great merch until you hold them both in your hands. The weight. The finish. The feel of something that was made with intention versus something that was made to hit a price point. Words can describe it, but nothing replaces the experience of actually touching it.
That is part of what makes the Rock Your Merch show so valuable — but more on that in a moment.
Rock Your Merch Is Coming — And Here Is Why You Need to Be There
Speaking of experiencing great products in person — the Rock Your Merch show is coming up and Kirby and Jade took some time this week to talk about what to expect, what is new and different this year, and why attending is worth your time.
If you have never been to Rock Your Merch, here is the short version. It is a curated experience designed to help businesses see, touch, and discover branded merchandise and marketing ideas that they would never find on their own sitting behind a screen. It is the difference between looking at a photo of the Moonix Backpack and actually holding one.
This year there are some exciting updates and additions to the show that make it worth attending even if you have been before. Kirby and Jade get into the details in the episode — including tips for getting the most out of your time there.
If you are ready to stop guessing about what great merch feels like and start experiencing it for yourself, go grab your spot now at show.hassemanmarketing.com.
Time Out of the Office — And Why It Makes You Better
This one is personal — and Kirby is the first to admit it.
He is not always great at taking time away from the business. If you are a business owner reading this, you probably know exactly what that feels like. There is always something that needs attention. Always a reason to check in, respond, stay plugged in. The idea of truly unplugging can feel irresponsible — like you are leaving something important on the table.
But here is what Kirby has learned — and what he and Jade got into on this week’s episode. Time away from the business does not just recharge you personally. It gives you a perspective on the business that you simply cannot get when you are inside it every single day.
When you step back you start to see things differently. You notice where the processes are working and where they are not. You identify the decisions that only you can make and the ones that your team should probably be making without you. And sometimes — uncomfortably — you realize that you are the bottleneck. That things are not moving forward in your business not because of your team or your market or your resources, but because everything runs through you and you are spread too thin to let it move at the pace it should.
That is not a fun realization. But it is an incredibly valuable one.
Taking time away is not a luxury. For a business owner it is a strategic necessity. It makes you clearer, more creative, and more effective when you come back. And it forces the business to function without you in ways that ultimately make it stronger and more resilient.
So if you have been putting off that vacation, that long weekend, that day where you genuinely do not check your phone — consider this your permission slip. Your business needs you at your best. And your best requires rest.
Product of the Week: The EZ Breezy Neck Fan
This week’s featured product is the EZ Breezy Neck Fan — and with summer in full swing the timing could not be better. Hands free, portable, and genuinely useful for anyone spending time outdoors, at events, or anywhere the heat is a factor. This is a product people will actually use — which is always the goal. Check it out here.
Grab Your Free Spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp
Ready to get more intentional about your marketing and build something that actually works? The FREE 5 Day Business Bootcamp is the place to start. Get access now at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
And if you are not already subscribed to Better Merch…Better Marketing, find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. New episodes every week.
