The older I become, the more I realize the runway of life is a lot shorter than it looks when you begin the journey. Maybe my perspective changed because I began to see markers I previously missed and the passing of each year reminded me I can't go backwards, only forward. Along my personal and professional journey those around me impact my outcomes; intended and untended. Each year my calendar is filled with "moments" to gather or celebrate, such as anniversary's, birthdays and holidays; however, the date does not matter; only the people. Recently I was asked some questions by digital publication, Voyage Raleigh. Each question in this interview made me pause before answering. Pausing is not one of my "gifts", instead I usually charge ahead. Over the years I have watched or listened to numerous sporting events because of my kids; they love sports. It occurs to me, I've "charged the plate" for years. The definition of the term means the batter stands off the plate, then strides toward the pitch; sacrificing power, but gaining considerable plate coverage. My role as a business owner is to see the best play, not necessarily to be the most powerful in the moment. Similarly, owning a business is not about "charging the mound." (A baseball player's response to a perceived indignity, that usually results in a team brawl) Unlike baseball, a business does not have time outs to pause play, umpires to review and rule, and the innings keep coming. In fact, the years keep coming in a way that reminds me of a little league game with batters than can't hit and fielders that can't catch; it goes on and on. Life is not full of softball moments or mock interviews; life hits hard. Life hits fast. The team in your field either energizes you or drains you. Every team needs a pinch hitter. This player is able to step in for another batter, and in the workplace is someone who does something for another person in a pinch. Today marks 17 years Miranda and I have worked together. In a pinch, as the inning keep coming, Miranda has been a clean up batter and always knows what to do to advance the runner. I'm glad she's effective on both offense and defense! Back in 2022 I added a blog post that Miranda wrote back in 2007 as an intern, titled " Why Use a Distributor ." The line art photos in that post capture the zany side of Miranda. Her zany side probably keeps her sane when we strive for the perfect day. In baseball, the perfect game keeps all the batters from reaching the base in every inning. In a business the perfect day means around the interference, errors, obstacles and even the weather, we advance around the bases providing a home run experience for our partners. Life lessons I've learned? Celebrate people not specific dates. Also, don't get too caught up with what happens on the field during one game. Life has a lot of extra innings. Instead, focus on keeping the bench full of players that you can count on in a pinch!

Native Union, a Paris-based premium tech brand, combines modern design with durable materials to create elevated charging accessories, travel organizers, and desktop solutions.  As a Certified B Corp™, Native Union is dedicated to creating the highest-quality products with a focus on responsible sourcing. Wherever possible, the brand chooses eco-friendly materials that are just as durable—extending product lifetimes while limiting environmental impact. Perfect for premium gifting, Native Union delivers style, function, and durability in equal measure—making each piece a meaningful way to connect with clients and employees alike. Explore the collection here . Find the right product for everyone on your list this season.

Looking for ways to elevate your message, connect instantly and translate impressions into dollars? The answer is within your grasp- tap technology. Since your phone is always close by, tap technology expands the reach of your brand by instantly connecting to your target audience. Where can you integrate? Beverage cans- watch this video! Tees and other clothing options Pens Create your own trackable sticker AWARE brand products - like bags Ask us to share more about this growing trend! Besides, you know we love ideas that are quirky enough to work!

Marketing & advertising isn't about investing the most dollars, it's about wise investments. In fact. if you missed the data around comparing our industry to other forms of advertising- you missed some key data. Catch up here. Why does tangible branding work? It's YOUR story. Your why Your community heart Your value add Your influence Story-telling connects with consumers. Strong visuals elevate brands. The surface of a product has a unique ability to tell a story. Our team knows how to transform the ordinary into EXTRAORDINARY. PPAI, Promotional Products Association International, encouraged our industry to showcase the value of our relationship on Promotional Products WORK Day August 28, 2025. Industry professionals like our team, drive real marketing results. #PPWDAY The before & after of a blank canvas, to a final product is amazing! Consider these stat's: slide through to see all the facts. Ready to convert your message into a powerful story? Let's go!! That's our visionary assurance, united purpose at WORK strengthening your brand.

Heartbreak that's joyful? Yes- smash cakes! Take another piece of my heart! A smash cake is a fun way to convey a message and have fun in the workplace. I've heard we eat with our eyes first- if we are intrigued visually, and we begin to smell something delightful - well, that's going to compel us to touch.......get in there and sample! Pop in with a quick message. Tins of chocolates in fun industry shapes- click here. Smashing the ceiling? Celebrate. A pound of chocolate- yes, please. Intrigued how this type of promotion could WORK for your brand? USA Made Quirky Enough to Work Smart marketing & branding Memorable reward & recognition Explore options: Year- round kitting ideas - food plus tangible branding to keep & use in a kit! Fresh tins of baked goods- yummy! Holiday ideas here.

Post cards are still a classic souvenir and provide a way to share images from your "destination." Of course you've taken videos and pictures on your phone and shared those through texts & social media- but there is still something fun about getting real mail. When you're struggling for how to capture attention for your brand during gifting season, the answer is a unique mailer- with a seasonal card. Have fun with the theme. Your gift can enhance your recipient's travel, wellness and outdoor adventures throughout the year! Wearable products are always an appreciated gift. Discover what's new and trending here for the holidays or explore all the new brands and clothing options here.

The right gift ; one that wows the recipient. A gift that make the eye twinkle in delight might have a dose of glimmer & glitz added to the design or packaging, but when the product selected offers year-round enjoyment; that's evergreen marketing! Watch this video clip. The holidays are one of the biggest gifting moments for companies. Showing appreciation internally to teams and externally to key relationships that support their business drives Q4 gifting. Right now we're busy comparing new products, uncovering key trends and then suggesting to you the best ways to elevate your brand. Each of our partners has different budgets, goals and preferences- which makes the shopping fun! Looking for: Gifts that make a statement? Gifts that help one unwind & relax? Gifts that are functional in the home; perhaps warm & cozy? Gifts that make entertainment elegant & easy? Gifts that are visible around town, exploring nature or useful during travel? Gifts for the sport enthusiast in your life? Gifts that are snackable, sharable kits? Explore the collection here .

What about seriously ice cold beverages- with AMAZING decoration; that's SIC! We recently had the pleasure of meeting the founder of SIC cups! Here's a video clip from that event. What's special about the brand? 6 key notes stood out to us: Impressive quality. The full color, wrap around and dimensional decoration on the surface. Perfect for story-telling & our graphics team to create the wow factor with this partner. Low quantities, starting at 24 units. The golf dimples! Quick turn. Affordable luxury. The SIC Story SIC Cups was founded in 2016 with a simple goal: to create high-quality drinkware that could keep up with your busy lifestyle. Starting as a small operation, we quickly gained a reputation for our innovative designs and superior insulation technology. As our brand grew, so did our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Today, SIC Cups is proud to be a leading provider of eco-friendly and stylish drinkware, empowering individuals to live more sustainably and enjoy life to the fullest. The Bold City We're proud to call Jacksonville, Florida, our home base. From the sunny beaches to the bustling city streets, we've captured the essence of the River City in every SIC Tumbler. It's more than just a product; it's a piece of Florida, designed to keep you cool, calm, and collected, no matter where your adventures take you. Sip Sustainably, Live Consciously At SIC Cups, we’re more than just a brand; we’re a movement. We believe in crafting products that not only enhance your lifestyle but also protect our planet. Our durable, reusable tumblers are designed to replace countless single-use plastic bottles. By choosing SIC, you're not just making a stylish choice; you're making a sustainable one. Every sip from a SIC Tumbler is a step towards a greener future. We're committed to minimizing our environmental footprint, from sourcing sustainable materials to reducing waste in our production process. We believe in creating a positive impact, one sip at a time.

It's football season, with Friday night lights around the triangle skies. Behind the scenes, we WORK to make designs that pop & create engagement for our partners. For spirit & unity! For fun! For Fundraising! Promotional products WORK hard! Our partner CW22 MYRDC looked great for the 100 year match up between the Cary Imps & Apex Cougars. Who won? The Imps! We love both teams. Fun fact- Olivia was an Imp and Keith played for the Imps! Make sure your tail gate stands out, for all the right reasons! For ideas that will stand out, we've got the magnetic connection! Our experienced and award-winning designers know how to make your brand stand out!

Today's innovative brand partner is trusted by both the pro's and weekend golfer's, plus there is a wide range of choices to enhance your golf game. What's the brand? Srixon! Each ball is designed for different. Explore the collection here. For example, this tour ball offers l ow compression is tuned to your moderate swing speed, with the distance you need to get ahead of the competition and the greenside spin to park it by tough pin. Offers the performance of a true tour ball, but with lower compression for softer feel at impact. It offers powerful ball speed with its FastLayer Core that gradually transitions from soft inner core to firm outer edge. While this ball is designed for the perfect blend of greenside control and long-distance. You can expect it to deliver on the unique benefit of increased spin on long and mid Iron shots. After a day on the links, this bottle opene r divot tool will help you refresh at the end of play. This versatile 3-in-1 tool combines everything you need, from fixing divots to marking your ball and opening a cold beverage. A small magnet catches the bottle cap once opened, adding convenience to its clever design. Like a mulligan- we have an extra shot at scoring an impact beyond the green. Protect your clubs with this recycled towel that covers your clubs - keeping them clean and dry. This item is perfect for group play. The Recycled Ball Stencil with Marker allows you to create perfectly straight lines and personalized markings on your golf ball, helping you easily distinguish it from others. It’s also a useful tool for putt alignment, helping you line up each shot with precision. Small enough to fit in your pocket, it includes a ball link for attaching to your golf bag or belt loop. PLUS, this tool supports environmental nonprofits through a partnership with 1% For The Planet. This 3-in-1 Golf Cleaning Multi-Tool is all you need to keep your golf clubs and accessories clean and ready for action! This compact, multi-functional tool features a brass wire brush for tougher cleaning, a nylon brush for delicate surfaces, and a pointed plastic tool to clean out grooves in clubs. With a convenient ball chain attachment, it easily clips onto your golf bag or belt loop. This tool also is part of our partnership with 1% For The Planet . Purposeful partnerships matters, watch on our local advantage page, as we explain the value. Should we include in the showroom golf collection?

Looking for a better way to tie your brand up message up in a bow? We have options with a clear path towards- sustainability; including name brands. The holidays are upon us, and when you're considering what to give our with your logo on the product, the back story matters. betterway™ is more than a program – it’s a mindset that challenges us to do better every day for people and the planet. This philosophy shapes not only the products they design and the partnerships they build. Our partner, Gemline, is a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). Their legally required to balance profit with purpose. Additionally, as a Certified B Corporation , they voluntarily meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Through betterway, they hold ourselves to these commitments, driving meaningful impact and a more responsible future. Watch this video to learn more about what's trending. Then explore some of our holiday favorites here in a digital flipbook and discover more options in here . We love adding more value for your brand.

Promotional Products WORK Day, is August 28th 2025 Women are becoming entrepreneurs in record numbers. Supporting each other in business, education and mentoring helps shape a new generation of women in the workforce. For the past 18 years, our company's footprint as been found in workforce development conversations & organizations. We've been supporting women for years, through special events , sharing our journey & tips and mentoring. Speaking of mentoring, check our summer interns reflection page here. Effective partnership starts with a foundation of trust. Through our core foundation , built on collaboration, creativity, certification and community our team approaches projects as your story-teller. Sharing united purpose, visionary assurance behind each collaboration. PPAI, Promotional Products Association International, designated August 28th, 2025 Promotional Products WORK Day to put a spotlight on the impact of our industry as a marketing & advertising partnership. Take a look at this data: Promotional products WORK because in the hands of an experienced & expert team- the medium becomes the message, resonating with consumers and shaping behavior in a positive way. This 2023 post captures the power of touch. The next time you're ready to grow your brand- perhaps you need a "woman's touch"!