From Swag to Strategy: Toby Myles & Amanda Hofman on Building Modern, Meaningful Merch

From Swag to Strategy: Toby Myles & Amanda Hofman on Building Modern, Meaningful Merch

Check Out These Highlights: Amanda Hofman didn’t set out to reinvent branded merchandise, but her frustration with outdated swag sparked a new path. In this episode, she shares how she went from running a women’s networking group in New York City to co‑founding a company that helps businesses create merch people actually want to use and wear.  We talk about the turning points that shaped her entrepreneurial journey, why swag should reflect values instead of just logos, and how perspective helps balance the highs and lows of business ownership. Amanda also explains how print‑on‑demand storefronts can transform client and employee gifting into something personal, sustainable, and memorable.  About Amanda Hofman: Amanda is the co‑founder of a modern merchandise company that helps businesses create branded products aligned with their values. She’s passionate about making swag strategic, sustainable, and something people genuinely love to use.  Connect with Amanda: 🌐 Website: https://gotomarket.studio/ [https://gotomarket.studio/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagoldfinehofman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagoldfinehofman/] 📸 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gotomarketstudio [http://www.instagram.com/gotomarketstudio] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

Unfiltered Visibility: Toby Myles & Melanie Borden on Building a Bold, Human Brand on LinkedIn

Check Out These Highlights: Melanie Borden didn’t grow her brand by playing it safe, and that’s exactly why people pay attention. In this episode, she shares how she carved out her space on LinkedIn by showing up with honesty, personality, and a willingness to be seen beyond the highlight reel. We talk about what it actually looks like to build visibility from the ground up, including the mindset shifts that come with putting yourself out there, the pressure to “perform” online, and how Melanie learned to trust her voice instead of following someone else’s formula. Melanie also breaks down her approach to content; why real, human posts outperform overly polished ones, how she creates connection through storytelling, and what consistency really looks like behind the scenes. If you’ve been holding back from showing up fully online, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what authenticity actually looks like in your brand. About Melanie Borden: Melanie Borden is a LinkedIn strategist and personal branding expert known for helping entrepreneurs and professionals grow bold, authentic brands that stand out. She’s built her presence by blending strategy with personality, showing others how to turn visibility into meaningful connections and opportunities. Connect with Melanie: 🌐 Website: www.humantobrand.com [http://www.humantobrand.com] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieborden/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieborden/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humantobrand/ [https://www.instagram.com/humantobrand/] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

The Skill You Didn’t Know Was Your Superpower: Toby Myles & Sara Torpey on Bridging Gaps and Building What’s Next

Check Out These Highlights: If you’ve ever felt like your career path has taken unexpected turns, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Sara Torpey’s story is one of evolution, from classroom teacher to instructional coach, to working in the corporate world with a major digital education company, and eventually building her own business. In this conversation, Sara shares what it was like to leave the structure of teaching for a completely different world, including the steep learning curve of working remotely long before it was the norm. She opens up about becoming the “translator in the middle”, bridging the gap between educators, sales teams, and developers, and how that skill became a defining strength in her career. We also dive into how her business began organically, with people asking for her guidance until it became clear she was already doing the work of a coach. Today, through her Uncomplicating Business Lab and her refreshing approach to sales, “Selling for Weirdos”, Sara helps entrepreneurs simplify their businesses, embrace what makes them different, and sell in a way that actually feels good. This episode is a powerful reminder that your skills are transferable, your path doesn’t have to be linear, and sometimes you’re the last one to recognize your own brilliance. About Sara Torpey: Sara Torpey is a former educator turned consultant and coach who helps entrepreneurs simplify their businesses and sell in ways that feel authentic. Through her Uncomplicating Business Lab and “Selling for Weirdos” philosophy, she supports people in building businesses that actually fit them. Connect with Sara: 🌐 Website: www.torpeycoaching.com [http://www.torpeycoaching.com] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saratorpey/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/saratorpey/] 💬 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saractorpey/ [https://www.facebook.com/saractorpey/] 🎙 Podcast: https://www.torpeycoaching.com/podcast [https://www.torpeycoaching.com/podcast] 🎁 Free Resource: https://torpeycoaching.kit.com/freemasterclass [https://torpeycoaching.kit.com/freemasterclass] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

Flipping the Mic: The One Where I'm in the Hot Seat

Check Out These Highlights: If you’ve ever struggled to talk about what you do, or felt like your message isn’t landing, this episode will shift the way you think about storytelling. Toby Myles shares how she built her work around helping entrepreneurs find the beauty in their lived experiences and turn those stories into meaningful connections. In this conversation, Toby walks through the role storytelling plays in building trust, why your story is more powerful than you think, and how many business owners overlook the very things that make them relatable. We also dive into the difference between simply sharing content and telling stories that resonate, and how that impacts your ability to speak and sell with confidence. Toby also introduces her approach to story work, including her Core Storyhub Framework inside the Her Story Authority mentorship, and how it helps clients bring their voices to life in a way that feels natural and aligned. This episode is a reminder that your story isn’t just part of your brand; it is the bridge that connects you to the people you’re meant to serve. About Toby Myles: Toby Myles is a storytelling coach and strategic copywriter who helps entrepreneurs find the beauty in their stories and use them to build connection and trust in their marketing. Through her workshops, private coaching, and Core Storyhub Framework inside the Her Story Authority mentorship, she helps clients speak and sell with confidence. Stalk Me Online! 🌐 Website: https://tobymyles.com/ [https://tobymyles.com/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-myles/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/toby-myles/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobymyles.storycoach/ [https://www.instagram.com/tobymyles.storycoach/] 🎙 Podcast: https://tobymyles.com/podcast/ [https://tobymyles.com/podcast/] 🎁 Free Resource: https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6 [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] 📖 Her Story Authority: https://tobymyles.thrivecart.com/her-story-authority/ [https://tobymyles.thrivecart.com/her-story-authority/] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

Rewriting Your Next Chapter: Toby Myles & Chrissy Liu on Letting Go of Old Identities and Starting Again

Check Out These Highlights: Chrissy Liu’s path is anything but traditional, and that’s exactly what makes her story so powerful. From working as a lawyer to transitioning into healthcare administration, then building a career in jewelry design, and now stepping into authorship, Chrissy opens up about what it really looks like to evolve across multiple chapters of life. In this episode, she shares the internal struggles that come with outgrowing identities that once felt “safe,” and the courage it takes to walk away from paths that no longer align. She talks about navigating uncertainty, trusting your intuition even when it doesn’t make logical sense, and permitting yourself to start over, more than once. If you’ve ever felt pulled in a new direction but questioned whether you’re “allowed” to change, this conversation will remind you that reinvention isn’t failure, it’s growth. About Chrissy Liu: Chrissy Liu is a former lawyer, healthcare administrator, and jewelry designer turned debut author, whose work explores identity, reinvention, and the courage to embrace new chapters. Connect with Chrissy: 🌐 Website: https://chrissyliu.com/ [https://chrissyliu.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissycliu [https://www.instagram.com/chrissycliu] 💬 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrissy.cianflone [https://www.facebook.com/chrissy.cianflone] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.