We believe that brand identity lives everywhere: not just in what we say, but in what we wear, what we carry, and how we show up in the world.
So when it came time to create merch for our team and speakers, we knew it was a chance to build something that actually reflects who we are… ALSO, it turned into one of the most fun projects we've done.
This is the story of how we designed merch that our team genuinely loves: from the first brainstorm to the final products that now represent us beyond the office.
Here's what we realized: great merch lets you extend your brand into the real world in a tangible way.
Our speakers inspire audiences from stages. Our team builds experiences that create impact. We wanted our merch to capture that same energy.
We pictured pieces that told our story without saying a word. Items that sparked conversations. Merch that people would actually want to wear and use, not just stuff that sits in a drawer.
We also took inspiration from brands like Poppi. Proof that when merch is done right, it doesn’t just show up, it starts conversations.
Before sketching anything, we started with the fun part: dreaming big.
What makes VaynerSpeakers special? The care we take. The relationships we build. The belief that every detail matters.
We gathered the team for brainstorming sessions: what phrases or values made them proud to work here? We filled whiteboards with ideas, riffing off each other until we found the gems that felt authentically us.
We wanted a collection that balanced meaning with personality. Pieces that could inspire and make people smile. The challenge was finding the right messages that felt genuinely VaynerSpeakers.
That's when things started clicking.
This is where Christopher Lopez, our designer, got to work his magic.
Chris took our brainstorming energy and started translating it into actual designs. He dove into what makes VaynerSpeakers tick, then came back with dozens of initial mockups. Some were bold and typographic. Others played with clever metaphors. He kept experimenting with different approaches, always asking: "Does this feel like us?"
His designs pulled from our brand DNA.
But here's what made this project special: it was truly collaborative. Chris would share three or four concepts, walk us through his thinking, then listen as we reacted. It was creative ping-pong at its best. Through several rounds of feedback and refinement, three distinct pieces started to emerge. Each one served a different purpose and told a different part of our story.
"Your voice can CHANGE THE WORLD. What you think shapes you. What you say shapes others."
This became our signature piece, the one that captures why we do what we do. Chris designed it to be bold without being loud, meaningful without being preachy. The typography builds to "CHANGE THE WORLD," giving it the emphasis it deserves.
It's a reminder of the impact our speakers have and the responsibility that comes with amplifying voices.
"TALK BUREAU TO ME"
Sometimes you need to have fun with it. Chris nailed the playful energy we were after—designing something that shows we take our work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. Our social strategist, Ashley Jarman, brought that same spirit to the copy, helping shape the clever wordplay that made the final cut. The layout stayed clean and confident, letting the tone do the talking.
It's an insider nod that makes people smile—and usually ask questions. (Which gives us the perfect opening to talk about what makes us different.)
“Where inspiration pours.”
We loved the idea of creating something unexpected—and what’s more unexpected than a branded umbrella? It’s more than clever wordplay; it’s a metaphor for what we do. We show up when you need us, provide direction, and make sure inspiration flows where it’s needed most.
Chris refined every detail of the design, making sure the tagline hit just right—visible when opened, elegant when closed. And in a fitting twist, Sydney from our marketing team, never one for umbrellas, now swears by hers.
The most exciting moment came when digital designs became actual products.
Our Director of Marketing, Contessa Boorman, partnered with Chris to nail every detail: fabric weight, tag placement, umbrella quality. When the first samples arrived, they did a thorough review together. They tested prints, compared fits, and refined finishes.
The initial sweatshirt samples didn't cut it. The material felt wrong: too thin, not the premium quality they wanted. Worse, the hoods were too long and covered up the logos Chris had designed. They ordered new samples without hesitation.
The umbrella went through its own testing. Chris and Contessa took turns opening them, checking the handles, testing the mechanism, and making sure the print quality held up. Every detail mattered.
The final collection feels right. Three pieces, each with its own purpose, each telling part of our story. The sweatshirt inspires. The t-shirt connects. The umbrella delights.
Our favorite part? Watching team members genuinely excited to grab items.
Those moments made it all worth it.
You might be wondering why we're so passionate about three pieces of merch.
Because how you do anything is how you do everything.
When we tell clients we care about every detail of their speaker experience, we want to show that commitment in everything we do. Our merch isn't separate from our brand. It's part of how we approach our work: with intention and a little bit of joy.
Each piece serves a purpose. Each piece tells our story. And together, they represent who we are: thoughtful, intentional, and always ready to surprise you.
Plus, when you create something you're proud of, when your designer pours genuine creativity into every element, it shows. And that energy spreads.
Excited to see what passionate attention to merch design looks like? Check out our team photoshoot where Chris's designs come to life.
Want to work with a bureau that brings this level of care to everything we do? Browse our speaker roster and discover what makes us different.
Planning an event and need the perfect speaker? Reach out to our team. Let's build something extraordinary together.
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