I didn't buy a company to protect it. I bought it to rebuild it.

I've spent 23 years in the branded merch industry. I know the good, the bad, and the weird. For more than two decades, I worked inside a company started by my father-in-law. It was successful, steady, and respected.

But I wanted more than steady. I wanted to modernize, grow, and take what they'd built into the future. So when the time was right, I bought the business.

The challenges came fast. Outdated systems. The pressure of growth. Protecting long-time client relationships while trying to win new ones. It wasn't easy...and it still isn't.

There was no "big turning point" moment. Just small, gritty wins stacking up: modern systems, a more efficient operation, and stronger client connections. The kind of progress that doesn't make headlines but builds real momentum.

The biggest lesson I've learned so far? Patience. With the process, with people, and with myself.

My company turns 40 in 2026. That milestone is about legacy. But the work I'm doing now is about the future, launching a new brand extension to fill a gap I've seen in this industry. My mission is simple: keep the trust we've built for 40 years and build something strong enough to last another 40.

That's what I'll write about here: branding, merch, growth, and what it takes to run a business that lasts. Real stories from inside the industry, not recycled business-school BS.

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