Teresa McCandless | The Power of Branding with Swag — Utah Business Spotlight Podcast

Episode Summary

On this episode of Utah Business Spotlight, host Peter Anthony sits down with Teresa McCandless, founder of Trifecta Swag, for a working masterclass on branded merchandise that businesses actually keep — custom hoodies, hats, beanies, water bottles, direct mail pieces, and curated client gift packages built to drive real-world impressions long after the handoff.

Teresa McCandless walks Peter Anthony through a live tabletop tour of the swag that wins right now: a light-up direct mail flashlight piece for under a dollar, premium soft-touch water bottles with QR codes that turn handouts into leads, the rope-detail baseball cap everyone is asking for, the cotton-poly beanie that gets worn all winter, the heavyweight hoodie clients steal from their spouses, and the canvas tote bag that anchors the perfect client gift package.

Peter Anthony breaks down the marketing math throughout the conversation — why cheap swag is the most expensive marketing decision a business can make, why pairing a logo on the front with a QR code on the back ("scan me for free stuff") turns every piece of merch into a lead-generation device, and why building a curated bag-plus-hoodie-plus-beanie-plus-bottle gift package is one of the highest-ROI client appreciation plays a Utah business can run before Christmas.

Teresa McCandless also explains why Trifecta Swag wins on speed and curation — most suppliers take a month, Trifecta Swag can turn rush orders in a couple of weeks — and why the right swag partner is a curator of merchandise, not just a supplier. To learn more, visit trifectaswag.com, find Trifecta Swag on Instagram at @trifectaswag, or call Teresa McCandless directly at 801-347-4103.

Utah Business Spotlight is produced by INCubator Marketing Agency and filmed in Sandy, Utah.

Key Moments

00:00 Peter opens with why swag still matters · 00:38 Meet Teresa McCandless of Trifecta Swag · 01:23 Holiday ordering window and why timing matters · 02:25 Direct mail piece with a light-up logo · 04:09 Why functional swag gets remembered · 05:20 Water bottles that people actually keep · 07:09 QR codes that turn swag into leads · 10:38 The hat style everyone wants right now · 14:23 Why cheap swag costs more in the long run · 17:36 Fast giveaway items and mailer options · 18:07 Beanies that people wear all winter · 21:12 Premium hoodies people keep stealing

Notable Quotes

"Cheap is expensive. When you do something cheap in marketing, it's costing you money you don't even see." — Peter Anthony

"Put a logo on the front, a QR code on the back that says "scan me for free stuff" — and every piece of swag becomes a lead-generation device." — Peter Anthony

"Instead of giving away gift certificates to CVS or Amazon, give away something that has your name on it." — Peter Anthony

"Trifecta Swag is the best swag on the planet — Teresa McCandless is a curator of swag, not just a supplier." — Peter Anthony

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Teresa McCandless?

Teresa McCandless is the founder of Trifecta Swag, a Utah-based curator of branded merchandise, promotional products, custom apparel, and client gift packages. Teresa McCandless helps businesses choose the swag people actually keep — premium hoodies, rope-detail caps, soft-touch water bottles, beanies, totes, and direct mail pieces engineered for retention and impressions.

What does Trifecta Swag do?

Trifecta Swag is a curated branded merchandise and promotional products company. Teresa McCandless and her team source and brand custom hoodies, hats, beanies, water bottles, canvas totes, direct mail pieces, and client gift packages for businesses, and offer fast turnaround on rush orders so corporate gifts and holiday client appreciation can ship before Christmas.

How do I contact Trifecta Swag?

Visit trifectaswag.com, follow @trifectaswag on Instagram, or call Teresa McCandless directly at 801-347-4103. Calling will get you straight to a real person who can help you choose the right product, quantities, and creative for your brand.

What is the marketing strategy Peter Anthony recommends with branded swag?

Peter Anthony recommends pairing a clean logo on the front of a piece of swag with a round QR code on the back labeled "scan me for free stuff." That turns every hoodie, beanie, hat, and water bottle into a lead-generation device — recipients scan, opt in, and you mail them another low-cost branded item, compounding impressions and capturing data.

Why is cheap swag actually expensive?

Peter Anthony's rule: cheap swag is expensive. A premium hat or hoodie that gets worn dozens of times produces tens of thousands of additional brand impressions versus a cheap version that ends up in a drawer or the donation bin. Spending a few dollars more per item is a marketing investment, not a cost — the wearable, useful, premium pieces are what compound your brand visibility.

What is the ideal client gift package?

Teresa McCandless and Peter Anthony recommend a curated package: a canvas tote bag containing a premium hoodie, a matching beanie, and a soft-touch water bottle, all color-coordinated and branded with a QR code. Add a handwritten card. This is one of the highest-ROI client appreciation plays a Utah business can run for the holidays.

Where is Utah Business Spotlight filmed?

Utah Business Spotlight is filmed at Sandy, UT (venue TBD). The show is produced by INCubator Marketing Agency and hosted by Peter Anthony.

About INCubator Marketing Agency

INCubator Marketing Agency is Utah's first AI-integrated marketing infrastructure team, headquartered in Sandy, Utah and serving small businesses, founders, and operators across Utah County, Salt Lake County, and the wider Wasatch Front.

Every engagement is built around the INCubator Method: seven core marketing systems — authority web design, local SEO, CRM and pipeline, marketing automation, AI voice receptionists, video content, and conversion-focused funnels — installed together as one accountable infrastructure so every dollar compounds month over month.

The agency was founded by Peter Anthony Wynn (Founder & Marketing Strategist) with Marc Olsen (Partner & Automation Expert) and Chelsie Wynn. INCubator operates Utah Business Spotlight, a long-form Utah small business podcast filmed at Bad Bet Productions in Sandy, Utah, and hosts Tuesday Night at the INCubator — a weekly marketing training and networking event for Utah business owners.

Contact: team@incubatormarketingagency.com · +1 385-386-6988 · Office hours Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Mountain Time.