On this episode of Hammer Down! The Official SEMA HRIA Podcast,  Kevin Oeste dives into the world of automotive merchandise, branding strategies, hot rod industry insights, SEMA Show behind-the-scenes, apparel design tips, and more with special guest Tim Sousamian of Traders ABM. Tim shares his journey from truck accessories to running massive pop-up merch ops at SEMA and events all over the country.

Key topics covered:

• How to start small with branded merch without overcommitting inventory
• Avoiding common pitfalls like over-relying on logos and matching quality to your brand's image
• The risk-reward of event merchandising, including on-site manufacturing in custom rigs
• Turning merch into a profit center or marketing tool for hot rod shops and builders

Funny moment: Kevin admits to wearing more SEMA gear than his own brand's stuff – his wife cringes, but it's great promo!

Whether you're a seasoned gearhead or just starting your professional Hot Rod journey, Hammer Down delivers informative and entertaining discussion that celebrates the passion, ingenuity, and enduring legacy of the Hot Rod community and how the SEMA HRIA aims to help Hot Rod businesses succeed.   

Subscribe today for more!

More about the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance:

https://www.sema.com/hria

Traders ABM:

https://www.tradersabm.com 

#HammerDownPodcast #SEMA #HRIA #HotRodIndustry #AutomotiveMerch #BrandingTips