Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1202: How MERCH can build your brand and be mini-billboards EVERYWHERE w/ Kris McAlavey
In this episode, Kris McAlavey—founder of Merch Dept—pulls back the curtain on how merchandise can transform your brand visibility, deepen loyalty, and unlock new revenue streams. Kris isn’t just printing t-shirts—he’s building platforms for storytelling, collaboration, and impact across industries from tech to music to nonprofits.
You’ll hear how he went from printing for the Lakers to fulfilling orders for Grammy Award winners and Fortune 500s, all while staying lean, private, and purpose-driven. If you’ve ever overlooked merch in your business strategy, this episode will flip that script.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🚀 Why merch is one of the most powerful (and underused) tools for brand visibility
- 🧠 How to choose the right merch products for your brand, region, and audience
- 💼 The secrets behind working with major brands, from Meta to EA Sports
- 🔍 How to use merch as both advertising and identity—especially in saturated markets
- 🎯 The difference between “printing stuff” vs. building an ecosystem around merchandise
- 🌎 Why Kris focuses on domestic production and how that’s a competitive advantage
- 🤝 How relationships, referrals, and readiness drive sustainable growth
📝 About the Guest
Kris McAlavey is an entrepreneur and branding expert known for launching standout merchandise lines that blend quality, creativity, and consumer connection. While finishing college, he spotted a market gap for custom brand merchandise and built a business rooted in strong design and marketing. As founder of the Merch Dept, Kris leads product development and collaborates with artists and influencers to broaden reach. His focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing appeals to today’s conscious consumers. Beyond his ventures, Kris mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and shares insights on branding and creative business at events and in industry forums.
🎯 Kris’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
“Do one thing and do it well. Stick to your course. Focus, execute, and be the solution.”
💡 Key Takeaways:
✔ Focus breeds mastery—don’t get distracted by shiny objects
✔ Longevity is earned through consistency and delivering value
✔ Even when it’s hard, doing your work with integrity builds unshakable credibility
📢 Memorable Quotes
- “Don’t be invisible. Your merch is your billboard—your voice in the world.” – Kris McAlavey
- “If the trees weren’t doing their job, we wouldn’t be here doing ours. Everything’s connected.” – Kris McAlavey
- “Merch isn’t just branding—it’s advertising, identity, and storytelling all in one.” – Kris McAlavey
💡 Actionable Takeaways
- ✅ Start small: pick 1–2 merch items that align with your audience and values
- ✅ Focus on quality—people wear what they love, not just what they’re given
- ✅ Think regionally: your customers in Denver don’t need the same merch as those in Florida
- ✅ Use merch to fuel referrals, community, and conversation—not just as swag
🔗 Links & Resources