"We believe that everyone can spread joy and be a light in this world." Those are the words of business owners Phala and Jessica, a mother-daughter team with a passion for making artisan candles. This Tampa based business is not only a USA Made partner, but a woman-owned company representing 5 generations of family owned business; entrepreneurs at work! October's national focus on Woman In Business celebrates diversity ownership. This mother-daughter story is an inspirational story. Each of their soy candles are hand-poured in their historic Ybor City workshop; in what was once their family's dry cleaner business! The candles are beautiful, with amazing fragrances and crafted with American-grown soy wax from US grown soybeans! Seventh Avenue Apothecary is a story about passionate entrepreneurs, responsible sourcing and ownership diversity! Like me , the owners believe in community, giving back and honoring the stories that shape who they became. Isn't it ironic that a candle and it's light, are a metaphor for how we are warmed by the world around us? We prioritize stocking our showroom with products & brands that matter. Illuminating the story behind this purpose driven partner shares women making a difference. Their candles are part of our ProudPath collection of partners & products. To learn more watch the video on our website. Explore the collection of Seventh Avenue Apothecary  products Discover this and more products with purpose in our Downtown Apex NC showroom.

No syrup! Nearly two decades of collaborations has created interesting stories. This blog post is about a collaboration with the USDA for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science annual BugFest event. Our partnership started in 2011. After our initial meeting they remarked, "Thank goodness we finally have a partner that understand us and how to market our message, usually promotional groups suggest fly swatters." As a branding agency, our role in client collaborations is to utilize our suite of services to create impact and effect change; it's our secret ! In 2011, the director shared a fun story about no syrup for pancakes was the result of non-indigenous bugs destroying the trees that creates syrup. At the annual BugFest open house with kids, his story was fun and impactful on attendees. After sharing his goals for the event, I suggested non-traditional and totally custom products. Each product was also USA Made, low cost & high impact, as well as part of our quirky enough to work ideas. Seed paper  was suggested for his pancake story because it is a creative medium, adaptable to any shape or size. We designed a custom passport book, capturing all the stops an attendee should make at the event and the custom stamper to apply to the book after visiting each destination insured attendees received all the educational information offered at the event. Completely fulfilling the interactive activities, noted by a fully stamped book earned a badge. We created a Junior Inspector badge created a call to action among kids that attended to spot ingenious bugs and created a way to keep the conversation and education going by adding a website URL to the back of the badge. The URL directed kids to interactive computer games about bugs. ( QR Codes were not heavily utilized at the time of print) Through interaction at our museum, we educate the public about the effect of bringing non-ingenious species to North Carolina. While our target market is kids, we educate adults too. When a brand needs to add their voice to a promotion, to tell a story that resonates with their target audience, we use all the tools in our agency toolbox to add value to that collaboration.

A logo is the visual representation of your brand identity. It's the first impression of the brand behind the image. In this post, we introduce you to a new partner, Pine Springs Preparatory Academy. The school continues to grow and adapt to the educational needs of the community. The school leadership partnered with us to design a new logo for the Upper School opening in Holly Springs NC; beginning enrollment Spring 2026. The Pine Springs website, conveys this mission statement: Pine Springs Preparatory Academy is dedicated to improving the lives of its students by providing authentic learning experiences in a collaborative, nurturing environment that will build a foundation for students’ success in school, career, and in life. Their website describes the PSPA difference: We aim to inspire and educate the whole child. Our Traditional, Blended Academy, and Virtual offerings curriculum is a rigorous academic program rooted in our mission statement. Our students learn to think critically, listen with discernment, and communicate effectively which aids them in becoming the best he or she can be, and helping them become great American citizens. The purpose of our collaboration: Ahead of the opening of their new upper school location for fall 2026, our team worked with Craig Tucker, Upper School Principal and Superintendent Bruce Friend to create the brand guide and logos for the school. The challenge behind our collaboration: Creating a logo that will become part of an established brand requires a different level of mastery. The new logo needed to stand alone to represent the new school, while integrating into the existing branding for cohesiveness. The process: Each collaboration starts with vision and messaging questions to determine what our client wants to convey through their logo. It's important to learn about our client's preferences for color, font and design elements prior to creating design concepts. Through virtual meetings we were able to ask questions and screen share concepts to quickly refine the direction to go for finalizing the logo. Besides logo design, we updated a complete brand guide for their marketing and identity projects. The outcome? “As our school continues to grow, we recognized the need for a cohesive brand identity. Promotional Partners was an exceptional partner in this process. They took the time to understand our mission, values, and long-term goals, and translated it into a brand strategy that truly represents who we are. Their team was strategic, creative, responsive, and highly professional throughout. We’re extremely pleased with the results and confidently recommend their services.” Bruce Friend, Superintendent, Pine Springs Preparatory Academy Our designers knocked this recent collaboration with Pine Springs Preparatory Academy  out of the park!

If you've heard the expression- an artistic eye, you're really seeing the mind of a creative person at work. The artist's brain is having an internal dialogue about what to capture and share with others through music, dance, and of course painting. Visual arts are a language, using imagery to capture a mood, convey a message or capture a story without words. When the words are layered into a compelling image, magic occurs. Not the type of magic that makes you wonder where the rabbit went, but the type of magic that makes you....wonder. An artist has the ability to capture your attention and force you to consider ideas. What does wonder have to do with Promotional Partners? Our clients enjoy wondering. Sure, we can sell you a pen with your name, number, and website, but our creativity & collaboration create the wonder. Products become a marketing medium in our expert hands. Did you know that when we started our business in 2007, we had a mascot? Yep, Speedy; a paintbrush in motion. By 2011, we realized while fun, Speedy was not the image we wanted for our agency. Luckily we have artistic eyes and graphic professionals on our team- so we crafted our new logo and re-branded. We borrowed from our artistic roots, keeping the arch of a paint palette and dots of color to represent paint. We enjoy bringing your vision to life through creating logos, designing festival and trade-show booths, and print collateral. Now you have the back story behind our logo.

GoPrime Mortgage, Inc. is an award-winning, veteran-owned mortgage company with a simple goal: to provide clients with a path to homeownership and make a positive impact on the community. Founded in 2005 in Historic Downtown Apex NC, the company as grown, now located across multiple states. To celebrate the 20-year history, GoPrime partnered with our company to develop a 20-year logo that incorporated the milestone date. Brand identity is more than just recognizing your logo. It's understanding the who, what and why behind your brand. Effective storytelling that translates into a visual representation of your brand is our "day job". Collaboration is a central element to our design process. It's never gets old seeing our partners grow & thrive. It also still makes us a little "giddy" when we see our partners logo around town on shirts, caps, cars, signs and promotional marketing materials. Personally I love when modifying an existing logo to include special elements, such as a date or your heart seem to the viewer to be the only logical choice. Rasheal Banguela, described her experience with us : " Once again, Promotional Partners comes through for us! Olivia makes you feel like you’re in great hands, because you are. She takes the time to listen to what you’re looking for and does a phenomenal job guiding you to the best outcome. Most recently, she helped us create a fantastic 20 th  anniversary logo for our company. Olivia and her team are responsive, creative, and quick to deliver, but what really sets her apart is that she truly cares. She has deep knowledge of her industry and always provides thoughtful ideas and options to match your vision. She’s not just a vendor; she’s a real partner who works within your budget and goals to come up with the right design or product for your employees and clients. We also love that she’s a local Apex vendor who brings a personal touch, while keeping us updated on new and unique product options. Whether it’s event swag or the perfect promotional item, Olivia goes above and beyond to make sure your brand shines." This is an example of our Visionary Assurance, United Purpose at work!

That's a straight forward suggestion, but often it's the head space that someone else occupies in your mind that keeps you from being yourself. October is I'm Just Me Because Month , inviting people to express their individuality and create environments that break down stereotypes and embracing what makes us unique. Cotopaxi is a brand that's all about providing something unique. Their website states, "Our Gear For Good® Promise. Adventure inspires us to see the world and make it better. That’s why we create responsibly made outdoor gear that brings performance, color, and joy to all, and helps us build a movement to support communities around the world." Read  how Dave Smith, founder of Cotopaxi, turned his passion to upcycle, give back and fight poverty into a fun & functional brand! Did you now that in the Del Dia bag collection, no two Cotopaxi bags   are the same? Not only does that provide an element of surprise, but it's a great way to celebrate our diversity! Be Yourself! Explore the rest of the collection here . Let's design something unique- be bold and have fun!

If 90% of recipients are going to remember your brand, how do you want to be remembered? As part of applying our marketing & graphic design expertise to partner collaborations, we select products that insure we can fully utilize the imprint space to maximize your message. What's the story behind this collaboration? The opening of the town of Fuquay-Varina’s Hilltop Needmore Community Center marked a significant milestone for Fuquay-Varina. The design of this building is intentional, offering a community centered approach for recreation, fitness and learning- foundational to enhance the quality of life for residents of all ages. Visitors of all interests & fitness levels will find something to enjoy, providing a place for all to gather. The extensive list of amenities includes an active adult wing, basketball, volleyball, racquetball & pickleball courts, an indoor track & exercise room, gymnasium, meeting rooms & classroom, and fully equipped kitchen for workshops community gatherings and to enhance special events. This project required a product to market & promote this new space, as well as celebrating a milestone moment. Thoughtful & purposeful graphic design elements, around the town's color palette, filled the space with icons. The symbols, shapes like collectable stickers showcase all the ways to enjoy this space. A high quality water bottle offered a functional item that residents of any age could use when participating in programs, events or activities. Our suggestion to apply a seamless wrap imprint, with full color decoration, was the perfect canvas for our graphic designers to be creative. The result:   The strong visual reminder that adhered to the town's brand identity guidelines, while adding in the unexpected design elements that delighted attendees. This innovative solution capture the messaging behind a space for all. Watch this video   to see how the full wrap of the bottle was utilized. S usan Weis, Communications Director states, "Promotional Partners is our go to partner for promotional items and branding advise. Olivia and her team are extremely creative and helpful, even the most unusual request or custom development they have a solution. I really appreciate that they are on top of every order from the beginning to the end. I trust them to manage our brand." As our partner, we commit to understanding your story and the nuances behind your brand. It's our visionary assurance, united purpose at work for your brand.

Women are taking on leadership roles everywhere. As a boomer, I'm grateful to see woman in so many seats. Watching my mother balance roles and responsibilities shaped my perspective on an array of topics. Her actions laid the foundation for me to lead. Seeing a leader in action, inspires. Developing confidence starts at home. Besides being a "home-maker" and volunteer, she was a pre-school teacher, a book mobile driver, seamstress, and even labeled retail inventory and embossed greeting cards. She also blazed her own trail as a creative, selling her hand-crafted bags, belts and purse covers ( ask me, it was an '80's thing ) at local craft fairs! Apparently we both like service & creating! With every gray hair, I begin to look more like my mom. I tease our kids in a terrible Darth Vader voice, "You can't escape your destiny." Looking back, mom was modeling the foundation of my company's core values; collaboration, creativity, community and certification. She was always willing to learn something new. She was quietly making an impression on me. She was always volunteering for something! Recently I was interviewed by Voyage Raleigh for their Hidden Gems Series: Local Businesses & Creatives. Our discussion covered life, lessons learned, and legacy; all fitting topics for National Women In Business Month. Take a look at these stat's: Women own about 13.3 million businesses ; 45% of all entrepreneurs in the U.S Over the past 40 years, the SBE Council noted women business ownership increased by 438% According to the NC SBA , woman-own 46.6% of businesses. Clearly woman entrepreneurs are creating revenue in their communities. It's important to create time to supporting women as a mentor and champion organizations that add value. Thank for following our blog, and supporting our business with your partnership. Like a game of scrabble, forming a word requires vision, strategy and the right combination of letters. Our dynamic team includes my husband  and three strong, talented women, Sherri , Isabel and Miranda ! Note: Since 2007 we've been an NC HUB  certified woman-owned business. Additionally, we are part of Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBE) programs designed to promote & facilitate business growth opportunities for historically underutilized businesses (HUB).

The answer is always no if you don't ask the question. Don't wait to make connections. Accept networking opportunities and create your own space to gather! Make room for yourself at the table. Today 30 women from around the triangle gathered to get to know one another and make new connections in Downtown Apex. Sept 22 is National Women in Business Day! With billions of women in the workforce and millions of woman-owned businesses, it's a great day to celebrate women in the workplace. What's the time line behind Women In Business Day? If you are interested in NC stat's- read more here . There are reports on this site to download for reference, specifically this report about women as economic force in NC.

Fall always makes me crave warm, cozy drinks and desserts. There is a way to enjoy all the delights of fall without the calories! Aroma therapy. Flavored lip balm and aroma therapy sprays are also a great stocking stuffer! Speaking of stockings, let's create a custom stocking for your holiday distributions. Ask about all the sizes we offer! Our designers will create whimsical or magical graphics to fit your theme. By offering limited edition products at point of purchase or as party swag you're making a lasting impression. Besides, these products are also USA-Made, from one of our B-Corp Partners . What's another goodie for gifting? Yankee Candle® is America’s most recognized name in home fragrance, celebrated for authentic, true-to-life scents and iconic apothecary-style jars. Proudly made in the USA, these premium candles reflect a legacy of quality, craftsmanship, and cozy nostalgia. Explore Yankee Candles here. If you still crave hot coco , you know we " got you. " We'll bundle a camp mug with a warm blanket and ship that kit to everyone on your list! Watch this video for some of my blanket favorites!

Record numbers of Americans are hitting the green; google it! Green grass courses have appeal for leisure & relaxation, but also offer ways to expand your network. Golf is not a quick sport. Whether you play 9 or 18 holes, you're dedicating a significant part of your day to the game. Which means you'll be spending time with your buddies for hours, providing plenty of time to chat! Did you know our blog is full of posts about golf products and strategies for business development on the links? Our website has thousands of products from tee-time essentials, to prizes and giveaways, to the brand names to keep you looking like the pro's! Tee-Time Essentials From first-timers to seasoned pros, we’ve got the gear to set you up for success on the course. Event Prizes and Giveaways Make your golf event unforgettable with custom swag and standout prizes they’ll talk about long after the final hole. Look Like A Pro Entertaining clients? Hosting a scramble? No matter what your handicap is, you’ll look like a pro with top retail brands and the hottest performance styles. Set up a time to explore your options in our showroom location. Let's plan a custom product. Allow our design team create a memorable moment that captures the heart of your tournament fundraiser. For example we recently designed & donated these towels to the Apex Police Department for this year's annual LETR fundraising tournament.

Do we make signs? Do you heard me muttering back, do we make signs? Yes! Recently one of our long-standing partners, who prioritizes supporting local woman-owned businesses like ours needed signs! Carissa Johnson is running for re-election to the Cary Town Council. Years ago when she ran the first time we designed her signs and she continues to work with our company for her marketing materials. We were literally leaving from breakfast when we saw her putting out this sign. Carissa is always up for some fun, so we snapped this photo! The answer to our sign question is YES! Below are just of few signs we've created over the years. We create signs for fundraising to showcase sponsors, for school graduation, for directional instructions, for sports and of course for political candidates. This post outlines the "why" behind our sign partnership. Signs come in all types of shapes and sizes, from mini to large and dimensional shapes! This post reminds you to vote- and yes, there are both democrats and republicans who've trusted us over the years to create campaign materials. Our industry has a long history with politics making buttons, coins and key tags. October is about positive vibes - we'll design and print the tee   or the stickers , Signs are also a low cost, high impact way to get your message out to a crowd! In what has become a heated and divisive political landscape, keep in mind political figures from all parties are willing to put their voice "out there" in the public eye. Candidates talk about the issues that are important to them; that's authentic . When you're looking for ways to elevate you company goals; we can help. Ask about our diversity partners and cause marketing brands.