Hawaii National Bank

About the Entrepreneur

For many businesses, branded merch might be an afterthought—something that’s needed but you can’t devote a lot of time to. This is where Tiana Gamble, CEO of Goodmerch Supply, comes in. She and her team of 20 collaborate with businesses big and small who are looking to put their logo on a giveaway, promo item or event setup. The peace of mind of working with a local company using quality products and sharing inspired solutions is what keeps customers coming back and helps make business events a success.

Gamble is on a mission to design merch that people actually want to keep, and that doesn’t end up in a landfill. She also loves helping brands tell a story that makes a positive, lasting impression. Above all, her vision is to do good things through good merch.

More with Tiana

How did Goodmerch Supply start and how has it grown over the years?

I've had the business for almost eight years after taking it over from a previous owner. I was naive when I first bought the company, thinking I'd make merch for my other swim shop business. And at the beginning, it was just me and another friend learning the ropes. It scaled quickly, and every order would get bigger, so it was a massive learning curve how to handle cashflow and ordering, putting the right systems and training in place for employees all while figuring it out myself.

Once I got into it, I became really passionate about developing creative products for giveaways. I love going to events and seeing what they're giving away--it excites me. And today we have about 20 employees, most here in Hawaii and a couple that are on the mainland as well.

What sets Goodmerch Supply apart?

I think what separates us is just how much attention we pay to detail, trends, and each client’s needs, versus just trying to shop online and pick out something at random. We want our merch to be something that people will not want to throw away, and are really conscious of making sure it's a need that's being filled rather than just a thing to give away.

What does being a local, Hawaii-based business mean to you?

Being a locally-owned and -run business is really important to me. I have always wanted to be able to have a career in Hawaii and was really discouraged when I moved back after college and working on the mainland for a bit. I wasn't sure that I'd be able to find something here that would allow me to be creative and make money.

Now, I’m really happy that I can have a business and also provide jobs. I tell my team that you have to hold yourself like you would in a big company on the mainland. It’s important that we stay professional in a local environment but still understand the culture and continue to show a high level of customer service and experience.

Why is having a good banker important?

When you're trying to grow your business, I think it's really important to have a good banker because you don't always know if you're making the right decisions. Having someone that can counsel you or give you guidance on what other businesses are doing helps so you don't feel alone–and they can also help you find options when it comes to loans or lines of credit. Hawaii National Bank has been supportive and I think they actually see you for who you are. I feel like they know that my business has potential, and them seeing that potential also helps me feel confident in growing.