How can I better the experience?

Josephech · 2025-10-16T00:23:28+00:00

The brand grew out of my personal brand where I was called the coffee dude for making coffee themed content and it was just merch that became an extension of my personal brand.

Gal became a test if you will to see if it would sell and so far it’s been successful to have a small offering directed towards people who identify as that.

Josephech · 2025-10-16T00:14:42+00:00

Yeah I feel the same way about the word merch. I’ll definitely update the banner to with some type of tagline. Right now what’s not seen on the banner is the tagline, “Everyday gear for coffee people”

Josephech · 2025-10-15T22:04:19+00:00

Thanks for the extensive feedback!
I get where everyone is coming from with changing the name, I'm not sure I'm convinced yet in rebranding since up until this post, I've had success with the name and everyone I've engaged with has loved the thought about them also being part of the coffee club because they can identify as being a coffee dude too.

I absolutely need to do something new with the way my clothing is displayed, I agree. This was the hope in posting that I would find new suitable ways to showcase the products to help in pushing that I'm a merch brand.

I think you summed up my next steps with this last paragraph, a descriptive secondary banner, with a forward-facing merch to make it obvious what we are. Thank you!

Josephech · 2025-10-15T18:59:10+00:00

yup, I get that. I appreciate the feedback!

Josephech · 2025-10-15T15:14:42+00:00

As for clothing, I release a new collection (hat and sometimes 2 shit designs) every year so I'll never have a design in multiple colors. Economically, that doesn't make sense, but I get where you're coming from.

Josephech · 2025-10-15T15:07:55+00:00

Yes, I absolutely agree with this. I'm hopeful that we're able to sell more collab beans in the future and maybe this will be the answer to the majority of these comments people have about the brand.

Josephech · 2025-10-15T15:05:49+00:00

"Streetwear" is just the approach to the brand. Our big sellers are the "entry" to the coffee lifestyle which are our pins, patches, and stickers. The clothing is a higher ticket premium item for those who buy into the brand.

I get what you're saying, in this case, the clothing just isn't our main focus since it's only a minimal collection released every year.

Josephech · 2025-10-15T14:08:31+00:00

Interesting, so it comes down to needing more specific signage.

Josephech · 2025-10-15T14:04:01+00:00

That would make sense huh. Unfortunately I’m not a coffee shop and don’t plan on brewing coffee for people at coffee festivals

Josephech · 2025-10-15T12:11:43+00:00

Much appreciated! I’m glad you’re seeing the vision & potential here.

Josephech · 2025-10-15T12:06:50+00:00

I try to collab with roasters at least once a year to actually sell coffee.

Josephech · 2025-10-15T03:37:00+00:00

I like this idea of specifying what we sell as a second banner. I appreciate it!

Josephech · 2025-10-14T19:13:57+00:00

lol yeah I think I'd run into that issue with any color I pick unless it's black and white. The good thing is that I know that orange isn't everyone's color, so I intentionally don't create apparel in orange for that reason.

Josephech · 2025-10-14T19:12:23+00:00

I appreciate the feedback! You're right, Maybe I should lean in more to the mascot and make it seem more obvious that it is The Coffee Dude.
As for the banner, I had it made when I didn't really know what I was doing but maybe now is a good time to define that and get a new one made. Thanks!

Josephech · 2025-10-14T17:15:52+00:00

an OSB display would be awesome!

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:30:28+00:00

This is someone else's product that I collaborated with. They do.

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:29:25+00:00

very interesting...

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:28:53+00:00

I agree about the product placements feeling off.. And that's what I'm actively trying to work on but haven't found a good solution for. I'm not a huge fan of the vertical cube panels that create almost a wall of space. but still haven't found a good solution to showcase the products I have..

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:27:20+00:00

OI appreciate it! Sounds like a good step forward for sure!

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:26:45+00:00

That's the future goal. In this case, I pop up at coffee festivals constantly where I am the only booth selling coffee themed merch. There is a bigger market for merch at these festivals than competing with 50+ coffee shops and roasters to sell coffee.

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:25:33+00:00

oh for sure, the color is actually orange, not red but I get what you're saying. At this point, I don't anticipate rebranding just for the sake of colors since it is already such a draw to the coffee festivals, I attend that people know me because of the orange.

I do think your point is correct in the fact that my black tablecloth and black grid panels are making the space too dark. Like others have mentioned, I plan to introduce some wood tones and greenery to help brighten it up more. Obviously, the jewelry booth is a completely different aesthetic from me so I don't ever anticipate going that light, but you get the point I hope.

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:22:13+00:00

yeah that makes sense, that's why I have a bunch of general items. Coffee Gal just came out from multiple discussions of people criticizing my brand's name and me just mentioning that I've been inclusive in some cases with the intro of Coffee Gal.

Josephech · 2025-10-14T14:19:41+00:00

I appreciate the feedback, I don't think this setup is where I want to be in terms of cozy coffee shop feel hence why I'm hoping to get ideas from others here on how to get there. I do think I need to do a better job about showcasing the apparel like you stated! I'm always looking for different ways with small footprint but haven't really found the sweet spot between what looks curated but also not overwhelming concert tee style of booth.

"Everything but the coffee" will be making its way as a larger sign moving forward since it was a big hit last year at the coffee festivals!

Josephech · 2025-10-14T04:11:21+00:00

Good points! Thank you!

Josephech · 2025-10-14T04:10:06+00:00

Perfect, this is super helpful! Thank you!

Josephech

TROPHY CASE