After finishing up my final work trip before maternity leave, I can start to shift gears into the last stretch of my pregnancy before the final stage of metamorphosis of becoming a RICH MOM. To be entirely honest, becoming a mother is something I never romanticized. If anything, I have had a very pragmatic view on it – that even when done with an absolutely amazing partner, that it will be equally the biggest blessing and challenge of my life. Primarily because as I observe many people go through this stage, they just look extremely tired, which sounds like quite the struggle as someone who loves and needs sleep.
However, there is a very select sample size of people I have seen do it that make it look chic… the RICH MOMS. And before we get ahead of ourselves about finances, resources, and help let me clarify that a RICH MOM isn’t defined by a number in her bank account. A RICH MOM is extremely present in her circumstances but doesn’t lose herself in it all. She isn’t focused on the outside world perceiving her to have it all together. She knows her values, priorities and can get done what needs to be done. She isn’t fooled by the concept of “balance” but finds moments to take care of herself to then be able to show up as a better version of herself for the people and things that matter most. This allows her to be rich in health, love, and in return prosperous in any other aspect of her life.
With that said, I don’t anticipate the near future to feel remotely chic because evolution typically isn’t. This is why I am taking time to strategize, batch, and schedule out content in anticipation of my priorities shifting for a while. However, I know that when I come back, I will be in a completely different headspace, inspired, with an even more iconic perspective and RICH MOM energy to share with you all.
Tasteful Truth: Not Another Sherpa Blanket – It may seem a little odd to bring up blankets as we wrap up winter and start looking toward spring. But if you are paying attention to what is happening in retail and culture, blankets are not just another thing in your home to keep you warm. They have quietly become signals of comfort, status, and taste.
Think about the range that exists in the market right now. On one end, you have the cult favorite Barefoot Dreams blanket that people happily spend around $150 on. On the other end, you have a Hermès throw that can easily run over $2,000. Both serve the same basic function, but the message they send is entirely different. A blanket can communicate lifestyle, aesthetic, and even a sense of being in the know.
That shift creates a real opportunity for brands. Our industry has access to retail inspired options that deliver the same elevated feel without the luxury price tag. Instead of defaulting to the standard sherpa blanket that looks tired after one wash, brands can create pieces that people actually want to keep on their couch, in their office, and visible in their everyday spaces.
Netflix Store Flop: It is painful to see a missed merch moment when TV shows build these incredible worlds, brands, and storylines that fans become completely obsessed with… only to release merch that appears to be from an Etsy shop.
Fans aren’t just casually watching these series, but they’re emotionally invested. Rather than going out on the weekend, or opting for the recommended 8-9 hours of sleep, they binge an entire 8-episode season in one sitting. But it doesn’t end there, they then discuss theories, dissect the character development, and post it all online for others to get in on. Proving these plots aren’t just fleeting moments but creating real connections starters and builders.
Which is exactly why merch for these shows shouldn’t be such an afterthought. When done strategically, merch becomes an extension of the world the audience already loves. It lets fans step a bit deeper into the universe, by giving them something to wear, or use it in their everyday lives to show off their enthusiasm.
Great storytelling builds fandom, but iconic merch monetizes and amplifies it!
Mantra of the Month: Our empathy isn’t stronger than our boundaries.
From a young age, women are conditioned to be go with the flow people pleasers, so it is natural for us to feel uncomfortable when we need to enforce boundaries. Not caring too much or avoiding confrontation was reinforced in many of the most popular romantic comedies. Bridesmaids, 27 Dresses, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days all feature protagonists who bend over backward to accommodate everyone around them and somehow still end up with the happy ending. Seeing that storyline romanticized over and over again can make it confusing to know if and when we are allowed to draw a line in the sand. That is why us GIRLYs cannot allow our empathy to be stronger than our boundaries. Caring about people and wanting to support them is a fabulous trait, but it should not come at the expense of our own, extremely valuable time, energy, or wellbeing. Empathy helps us understand others, but boundaries determine how we allow others to treat us, and the healthiest relationships require a balance of both. Boundaries are not a rejection of kindness or care. They are what creates and maintains respect, while keeping things sustainable… especially as we continue to climb to the top!!!
XX,
MERCH GIRLY
Savannah Dmytriw — better known as MERCH GIRLY — didn’t exactly plan on joining the promotional products industry. (Thank you, pandemic layoffs.) Thrown into unprecedented times with even more unprecedented circumstances, Savannah built a thriving book of business while marketing budgets everywhere were frozen solid. Armed with creativity and sheer determination, she landed a $3.5M client in her first calendar year and continues to hunt whales as the VP of Marketing at TEAM SCG. Her approach isn’t to just “sell swag”, rather she sees herself as a brand connoisseur — someone who dives deep into a brand’s essence before suggesting a single product. When she’s not crafting fabulous campaigns, you’ll find her chronicling merch moments on her Instagram @MERCHGIRLY, pulling inspiration from the wellness, live event, hospitality, and luxury retail worlds. Her fresh perspective has earned her a spot as a Top 10 Influencer on PPAI’s Online 18 and a feature in The Marketing Millennials newsletter and podcast, cementing her status as the girly twirly authority in the merch game.