Inside Ted Church’s Anthem Branding Journey
didn’t set out with the intention of building a standout merchandise agency- at least not at first. What started as a spontaneous trip to Boulder on a snowy Ohio afternoon led to a pivot that would shape the rest of his life. He gave up a Division I soccer commitment, fell in love with 鶹ѰBoulder’s sunshine and energy, and never looked back.
From a young age, Ted had an entrepreneurial spark. Whether it was mowing lawns, selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, or spotting gaps in the college merch scene, he was always looking for creative ways to hustle. When he landed at CU, he quickly noticed the lack of stylish, customized campus gear. That observation turned into action- partnering with his uncle to bring edgy, original products to Greek life and local bars. At just 19, he was learning the ropes of licensing, manufacturing, and campus marketing on the fly.
By senior year, he was already handling sizable orders for national companies through friends in the dot-com and entertainment scenes. He realized he was making more running his own apparel business than most entry-level roles could offer.
The journey didn’t stop there. Over time, Ted evolved his business into what would eventually become: a Boulder-based creative agency that brings a design-first mindset to branded merchandise.
Where Strategy Meets Style
stands out as more than just a promotional products company. It’s a full-service merchandise agency that blends the strategic mindset of an ad agency with the hands-on execution of custom product design. From apparel and packaging to brand development and sourcing, Anthem helps businesses tell their stories through high-quality, thoughtfully designed products.
What sets the company apart is its commitment to creativity. Ted and his team treat every project as an opportunity to push boundaries, whether they're designing limited-edition apparel for a lifestyle brand or helping a startup build out their first swag collection. Instead of simply slapping logos on water bottles and calling it a day, Anthem takes a collaborative approach: getting to know the brand, understanding its audience, and creating something that actually resonates.
Forged in Fire
Like all businesses, Anthem Branding didn’t necessarily find success overnight. Early years were full of tight margins, big swings, and nonstop problem-solving. Ted often describes entrepreneurship as a daily “knife fight”- a phrase that encapsulates the constant hustle of meeting deadlines, managing client expectations, and juggling cash flow, all while trying to scale a growing operation.
Operating in a deadline-driven industry like branded merchandise means pressure is always high. Clients have launch events, music tours, and seasonal promotions that can’t shift. That kind of demand meant Ted and his team had to be not just creative, but dependable. Whether it was sourcing custom gear for a band or pitching ideas to MTV and Atlantic Records on self-made trips to New York, Ted learned quickly that energy, confidence, and follow-through were often more important than having every detail locked down from the start.
When it comes to managing risk, Ted leans into action over analysis. He believes in taking the leap, learning from the process, and adjusting as you go. That mindset has kept the business flexible and open to unexpected opportunities. Sometimes, products they didn’t expect to take off end up becoming bestsellers; and when that happens, they double down, adapt, and repeat the cycle. Taking calculated risks, chasing ambitious clients, and bringing unmatched creative energy to every project.
That relentless energy helped differentiate Anthem from the pack. In an industry where it’s common to slap a logo on generic swag and call it a day, Ted wanted every touchpoint: emails, packaging, the website, to reflect the same level of thought and brand identity as the products themselves. That creative consistency became a core part of Anthem’s ethos and what ultimately built its reputation as the go-to partner for companies looking to elevate their merchandise.
Leading by Example
At the core of Ted’s approach is a strong belief in leadership through action. For him, leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about showing up, being approachable, setting the pace, and trusting his team. While his natural drive pushes things forward, he’s mindful that not everyone operates at the same tempo, and he’s constantly learning how to delegate effectively and support his team’s growth.
What drives Anthem’s culture, and Ted’s leadership, is a shared belief in creativity, collaboration, and character. There’s a deep respect for doing what you say you’re going to do and following through with consistency and care. Optimism also plays a big role: it’s the mindset that fuels bold ideas and keeps the team moving forward, even when things get tough.
A Legacy of Creativity
As for legacy, Ted hopes that Anthem is remembered for raising the creative bar. Whether it’s the custom gear they’ve developed for major brands, the innovative building they designed in Boulder, or the team members who’ve gone on to thrive in their careers, he wants people to look back on Anthem as a place that stood out- where people learned, grew, and contributed to something genuinely unique.
When asked to define entrepreneurship, Ted doesn’t reach for a buzzword-filled answer. For him, it all comes down to optimism, grit, and a relentless belief in your ability to figure things out. It’s about being comfortable in the chaos, solving new problems daily, and having the guts to say,“What could go right?”