By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert

Some collaborations turn into real friendships. This one did.

Working with 🦬 Joseph Cope, M.Ed. – The Empathy Guy, we got to witness what fierce empathy truly looks like in action. Joseph brings heart, strength, and authenticity to everything he does. If you ever get the chance to meet him, take it—you’ll understand what we mean by “real.”

The Vibe: Fierce Empathy in Every Thread

Every phrase in this custom merch drop comes from real moments—breaking down, getting back up, and choosing to grow through it. These are the core themes of Joseph’s speaking and coaching practice: empathy as courage, growth as resistance, and vulnerability as strength.

What the Merch Says

Empathy isn’t soft—it’s strong.
It’s the courage to keep your heart open, even when things get hard.

That message runs through every piece in this collection. The designs, typography, and tone were built to reflect what real empathy feels like—raw, resilient, and grounded in connection.

The Merch Move: Brand Storytelling You Can Wear

When your branded merch reflects what’s real to you, it naturally sparks connection. People see it, ask about it, and feel your values woven right in.

That’s the secret to great brand storytelling through custom apparel—when your audience doesn’t just wear your logo, they wear your mission.

Your merch becomes a conversation starter, a brand amplifier, and a reminder of what you stand for.

Why It Matters

In an era of overdesigned products and surface-level branding, authenticity cuts through the noise. This merch collaboration isn’t just clothing—it’s a wearable story about empathy, leadership, and growth.

If empathy had a uniform, this would be it.