By Amanda Hofman, Chief Swag Officer and Branded Merchandise Expert
Key Takeaways
Running a business during a personal whirlwind, like NYC high school admissions season, is a lot, and designing meaningful company swag can be oddly grounding. Great merch isn’t just about logos; it’s about connection, comfort, and community, the things we need most when life feels messy.
What Does Running a Business During a Personal Whirlwind Look Like?
October is chaos, and honestly—I live here now.
This month, I’m deep in the whirlwind of NYC high school admissions.
We’re talking:
- Weeknight school tours
- Practice essays and mock tests
- Grammar flashcards everywhere
- Group chats lighting up like a slot machine
- And yes… the occasional panic Google about whether snacks are allowed during the SHSAT 😅
All while running a business. Because work doesn’t stop just because life gets loud.
Balancing Business and Real Life
Owning a business while navigating a personal storm is… a lot.
Some days, work feels like the perfect distraction—a place where I can focus, create, and connect through meaningful branded merchandise projects. Other days, it’s what gets pushed aside while I handle what really matters at home.
We’re all juggling something invisible. Whether it’s parenting, caregiving, health, or just life, we show up as whole humans to our work.
Finding Calm in the Chaos (and Great Swag Helps)
When everything feels like too much, I remind myself why I love what I do: creating branded merch that connects people to purpose.
Designing meaningful company swag is oddly grounding—it’s a creative outlet that reminds me that even small things (like a well-made hoodie or a thoughtful journal) can make someone’s day a little easier, a little better.
Great merch isn’t just about logos. It’s about connection, comfort, and community—all things we need more of when life feels messy.
What’s Pulling Focus in Your World?
So, I’m curious—what’s pulling focus in your world right now, beyond LinkedIn and inboxes?
Because behind every brand, every piece of merch, and every campaign… there’s a person doing their best to hold it all together.
(Photo from one of my favorite hikes this summer—where my mind wanders when everything else feels like 🤯)
FAQ
Why does designing company swag feel grounding?
It’s a creative outlet that reminds you even small things, like a well-made hoodie or a thoughtful journal, can make someone’s day a little easier and a little better.
What does great merch offer when life feels messy?
Connection, comfort, and community. Great merch isn’t just about logos, and those are the things we need more of when life feels messy.
Who is behind every brand and every piece of merch?
A person doing their best to hold it all together. We’re all juggling something invisible, and we show up as whole humans to our work.