Why Trusted Brands Always Win the Downturn | Chris Farris, Boost Promotions | Ep. 20

Most founders think branded merch is a waste of money. Chris Farris has spent 20-plus years proving the opposite. In this episode of Return on Reputation, host Justin Obey and Chris Farris, founder of Boost Promotions, break down how branded merchandise becomes physical proof of a company's reputation, why trusted brands rise while commodities get cut in a downturn, and how a $100 gift can open the door to a million-dollar deal.

This one is for founders who already believe personal brand and reputation are real assets, and want to know where physical brand experience fits alongside content and personal branding.

What you'll learn:

Why "free stuff" fails and what gives merch intention instead

The real size of the branded merchandise industry and why nobody talks about it

How trusted brands like Coca-Cola and Procter and Gamble win when the economy turns

The gift-based demand gen math: spending $100 to close a million-dollar deal

Why the unboxing "Christmas morning" moment is what people actually remember

How merch acts as physical authority on top of the awareness your content builds

Where founders waste the most money on branded merch, and how to stop

Chapters:

00:00 Intro and Chris's path from the Mets to Boost Promotions