I’ll be away all next week for some eye surgery. While I’m recuperating, I’ll also be working on some exciting new ways to help you Get Your Merch Made—including a cool surprise coming in September. But first, I want to know what would be most useful to you: Take the poll and let me know which would help you most right now? Drop a comment about what are you currently working on for your community, clients, or members—and what would help you turn it into something that builds engagement, strengthens your brand, and generates revenue?

Your audience is surrounded by people teaching the same playbook: Grow your audience Scale your income Post more content Run more ads Use better AI prompts And they're often reaching them with the same templates, prompts, thumbnails, and merch too. (I mean, who needs another baseball cap or mug?) Here's the thing: You can be excellent at what you do and still blend in because, from the outside, your business may look similar to everyone else offering a comparable result. The answer is not another random product with your logo on it. Here are some ideas: - A dog trainer could create a Walk Better Kit with training cards for real-life problems clients face between sessions. This could also include a treat pouch, clicker, and leash light. - A bookkeeper could create a Month-End Kit that helps clients organize receipts, meet deadlines, and stop sending twelve months of chaos at tax time. - A leadership consultant could create a Better Conversations Kit that managers pull out when they need to give feedback, handle conflict, or inspire members. Each one takes something the business already teaches and puts it where the client actually needs it. So here's the question: What does your client struggle with when you are not in the room? That may be where your best merch idea begins.

Join the call July 24th 10 am CST where you can ask me anything. - Where are you currently blending in with everyone else in your niche? - What do you want people to remember about your brand after the post, program, or sales call is over? - What could you create that makes that difference tangible? Who's in? Pop your questions below.

I’ve been thinking about a piece of marketing advice from Gary Vee that shaped the entire social media era: Go where attention is underpriced. Gary was right. The brands that moved quickly, posted consistently, and understood new platforms early had an enormous advantage. But we are no longer operating in that version of the internet. AI has made it possible for you to produce more content than anyone could possibly consume. Yet being visible still doesn't guarantee you will be remembered. It's not an argument against content, and it is definitely not a “Gary Vee was wrong” takedown. It's about what has changed—and what your brand needs to do once attention alone is no longer enough. I made a video about this because your post may get seen today, but the real value begins when someone still remembers you three months from now. And, I also wrote a piece: Start Building A Brand People Remember -- it's where I share more thoughts on this subject on how to stand out in a crowded market. What are your thoughts?

I am so glad you're here. If you've ever spent money on branded products that went nowhere — got ignored, tossed, or quietly ended up in a drawer — this is where that stops. This community is built for business owners, brand builders, and marketers who are done treating merch like an afterthought and ready to use it as a real strategic tool. Here's what to expect: In the Classroom you'll find four core modules walking you through how to think about merch strategically — from choosing the right product to building loyalty and revenue. Each one is short, direct, and built around real decisions you'll actually make. Download the worksheets. Use them. In this community expect real conversations, honest answers, product feedback, sourcing questions, and examples of merch that works — and merch that doesn't. No fluff. Just strategy. I've spent 30 years creating over 1M products for brands from founder-led companies to Netflix and Coca-Cola. Everything I teach comes from what actually works in the real world. Now let's talk about you. Drop your answer below — one or all three: 🎯 What kind of business are you building merch for? 🎯 What's the #1 problem you've had with branded products in the past? (Too expensive? Wrong product? Nobody used it? Not sure where to start?) 🎯 What would a win look like for you in the next 90 days? Would you like a 1:1 chat with Barbara? Just send me a DM or post it in the chat when you introduce yourself, and I'll send you the link to book a personal call to help you get started with merch.