Description

In this conversation, Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the founding and growth of Swag Up, the importance of employee engagement, and the role of technology in business operations. He emphasizes the need for quality merchandise, consistency in branding, and the significance of self-awareness in leadership. The discussion also touches on the balance between entrepreneurship and family life, and the value of continuous learning and personal growth.

Takeaways

1. The loudest person isn't always the most impactful.

Some people build their influence quietly—through substance, not spotlight—and their work reshapes entire industries even when the world isn't watching.

2. Swag isn't merchandise. It's identity.

When done right, it reinforces belonging, culture, and pride—internally with employees and externally with customers.

3. Timing doesn't make a business. Pattern recognition does.

The skill isn't spotting the wave; it's knowing whether to ride it, reshape it, or create your own.

4. Great brands win because they make the complex feel simple.

Design, clarity, and consistency beat features, budgets, and noise.

5. Empathy is a business strategy.

Understanding the person on the other side—from employees to factory partners—creates better products, better processes, and better outcomes.

6. Great teams aren't hired… they're curated.

Skill can be taught. Standards cannot. Excellence starts with who you allow in the room.

7. Winning is contagious—but so is losing.

Your environment shapes your identity. Change the environment, and everything else follows.

8. People don't buy what's available. They buy what you show them.

Your storefront—digital or physical—controls perception, trust, and spend.

9. The customer journey is a system, not an accident.

If you're not mapping it, measuring it, and refining it, you're losing people where you could be compounding value.

10. Momentum is the most powerful force in business and life.

Stack small wins, build belief, and the impossible becomes inevitable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Journeys

02:46 Building Swag Up: The Entrepreneurial Journey

05:51 The Importance of Employee Engagement and Company Culture

09:05 Navigating Challenges and Market Changes

11:57 The Role of Technology in Business Operations

15:01 Understanding Customer Needs and Preferences

17:56 The Power of Branding and Design

20:52 Building Partnerships with Retail Brands

23:57 Data-Driven Insights in Business

26:58 The Significance of Quality Merchandise

29:57 Lessons from Sports and Coaching

32:49 The Impact of Personal Growth and Learning

36:02 Creating a Winning Environment

38:58 The Importance of Consistency in Messaging

41:59 The Role of Self-Awareness in Leadership

44:48 Hiring for Success and Team Dynamics

47:49 The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Family Life

50:52 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations