Why a Former Software CRO Joined MerchFarm to Reinvent Branded Merchandise

Podcast Recap: Episode 20 of “Software Sales Simplified: MOVE to Success” with Derek Francis

If you’re a business owner, creator, or startup leader exploring how to build a brand with high-quality merch, this episode is a must-listen.

Derek Francis—former CRO of multiple high-growth software companies—made a bold pivot from SaaS to branded merchandise. Now helping lead MerchFarm, a tech-enabled merch production company, Derek is applying everything he learned from scaling enterprise sales teams to the fast-evolving world of merch for creators, sports teams, and corporate brands.

🔄 Why This Tech CRO Moved Into Branded Merchandise

 Production

After leading enterprise go-to-market teams and growing one SaaS startup from $4M to $300M+ in ARR, Derek saw a new opportunity: the creator economy and branded merch space were ripe for innovation.

MerchFarm stood out because it’s not just a print shop. It’s a platform for building scalable brand experiences through merch—something I’ve spent my entire career doing in software.”

💡 Bringing Enterprise Sales Strategy to the Creator Economy

Derek’s transition revealed that the fundamentals of building a business don’t change—just the product.

• Predictable revenue still requires a healthy pipeline.
• Go-to-market strategy still hinges on clear value articulation.
• Brand growth still starts with a strong foundation.


Whether selling software or selling merch, you need systems that scale.

We’re helping creators go from influencer to brand, and helping businesses turn merch into a growth channel."

🧱 How MerchFarm Helps Creators and Companies Scale with Merch

MerchFarm is more than just a merch vendor. It’s a full-service, tech-powered partner for:

• Creators and influencers launching custom apparel lines
• Businesses creating branded merchandise for employees, customers, or events
• Youth and adult sports teams looking for high-performance team gear
• Corporate buyers seeking local alternatives to overseas production

With production facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, MerchFarm eliminates tariff concerns and offers faster turnarounds—without sacrificing quality.

🎧 Listen to the Full Podcast: Build a Scalable Merch Strategy

This episode of Software Sales Simplified dives deep into:

●      Derek’s journey from SaaS CRO to MerchFarm leader

●      How enterprise strategies can empower small business owners and creators

●      What it takes to build a brand—not just sell a product

●      The future of local merch manufacturing and the tech powering it


Listen to the full episode here

Want to learn more? Email Derek directly at derek@themerchfarm.com or check out our services at merchfarm.com.