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If you are one of our loyal partners, check- you already support a woman-owned business. There are many models that qualify as woman-owned. We are 51%- with Olivia as the majority owner, but that does make a business that is 100% woman-owned- more woman-owned; just a different model. October is National Women's Small Business Month, which is an opportunity to highlight how women are making an impact in their community. There are over 11 million women owning a small business in the United States! #WOMENSSMALLBUSINESSMONTH Our team of 5 includes 4 women! We try to support other women-owned businesses in several ways. 1- We buy from local partners! 2- We mentor local partners & brainstorm ways to grow their business. Olivia has several businesses she works with unofficially- not part of a program, just because she cares. 3- We partner with woman-owned businesses in our industry. 4- We offer internships- often for young women. 5- Olivia has been a speaker for several local women's networking groups & chamber's of commerce over the years. Throughout the month, organizations, businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs share resources and advice that support women-owned businesses. We hope you are signed up for the Apex Chamber's Women of Innovation panel. Locally owned small businesses bring revenue to communities. Small companies are more likely to support local organizations, schools and projects. They also provide a tremendous number of jobs, keeping local economies going and growing. Consider these facts: When you include women in the small business factor, you increase business diversity. Did you know that 50 percent of these small business owners are women of color? Supporting women in small businesses also inspires young women in powerful ways. When they see other women succeeding, they're motivated to succeed, too! In 2012, 44 percent of women small business owners also had children under the age of 18 in their household. That means, by supporting women-owned businesses, you're also supporting families. Businesses owned by women come in all varieties, too. They pursue business in STEM fields, creative and consumer domains, and service-oriented professions. There's really no limit to the opportunities available. Whether you own a small business or are considering starting one, there are several ways to participate all month long. Attend or host an event. For example: Women of Innovation - October 28 Be Your Own Shero in January. Be a mentor to other women. Share what you've learned. Offer insights & support that lead to confidence in others. One on one listening & sharing means a lot to an entrepreneur- we encourage you to back and watch our Pearls series in this recap post. Sharpen your skills. It's vital to keep learning and discovering. Learning & professional development is one of the reasons we were a sponsor for the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce, Women's Empowerment Conference , back in June of 2024. Join an organization. Network! Discover local, regional & national organizations that offer resources & support. Plug into your community, Olivia loves meeting people, as you can see from her profile. Discover other resources.  For example, the U.S. Small Business Administration includes an Office of Women's Business Ownership that serves not only as a guide, but advocates for women business owners, too. Support a Woman-Owned Small Business. Did you notice all month long both our blog posts & social media are featuring partnerships with women! Follow our Instagram F acebook and LinkedIn accounts Stop by for a pair of support local, woman-owned socks. Each pair is FREE. We'd love to catch up with you. What are some of your favorite ways to support woman-owned businesses?

Throughout the Pearls of Wisdom series, we embarked on a journey with remarkable women in business, delving deep into their experiences, challenges, and triumphs. This series served as a beacon of inspiration, offering invaluable insights into navigating the complex terrain of careers and life as a woman in the business world. Exploring Key Themes: Resilience in the Face of Challenges: The women featured in the series exemplified unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. Their stories reminded us that setbacks are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth and transformation. Mentorship and Support Networks: Behind every successful woman, there's often a network of mentors, sponsors, and allies who provide guidance and support. The series highlighted the profound impact of mentorship on personal and professional development. Continuous Learning and Adaptability: In a rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to learn, unlearn, and adapt is paramount. The women in the series shared their commitment to lifelong learning, whether through formal education, mentorship, or hands-on experience. Their stories underscored the importance of staying agile and embracing change as a pathway to success. Authentic Leadership: Authenticity emerged as a cornerstone of effective leadership, with our guests emphasizing the importance of staying true to oneself while leading with integrity and empathy. To all the trailblazing women who graciously shared their time, wisdom, and insights in the Pearls of Wisdom series, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your courage, resilience, and passion have not only inspired us but have also paved the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in business. As we wrap up the Pearls of Wisdom series, let's take these lessons with us as we navigate our own paths. Together, let's continue to inspire and support one another, making strides towards a more inclusive and equitable world. If you missed a pearl, catch up here . Emily Freed Did you miss our videos on our socials? Catch up here. Julianne- on entrepreneurship, leadership and getting out of your comfort zones. Part 1 and part 2 Chris Hilt- in entrepreneurship, career transitions, volunteering & mentor and champions- part 1 , part 2 , part 3 Stephanie Lake and part 2 - discussing self- forgiveness and utilizing your creativity in business. Ann Rollins - discussing the power of hugs Emily Freed & her mom , Clare Freed- lessons learned & passed down through generations

In 2020 we all started using the word "pivot"- which to me suggested embracing a zig or a zag from your normal routine. When I was in college I considered a minor in textiles instead of painting- but, I love to paint! My draw to textiles came from the unique yarn textures and the oxymoron created from the exactness necessary to weave cloth on a loom, yet simultaneously creating unlimited results is exciting. Think about it- beside all the colors of yarn, the feel of the fabric depends on the type of yarn & how it's spun. The holidays are a perfect time to offer tactical comfort & beauty with blanket gifts. What's extra special about these brands? Hilana - is woman-owned company with a zero waste solution turning upcycled scraps into something beautiful, durable and long lasting. Image the impact of this type of gift for your brand. Explore the options here. We love a family run- small business story of success, that offers a USA Made solution. Made * Here New York basketweave blankets are not only USA Made, but luxurious! The passion for textiles is obvious. Her story also resonated with me- starting as a painter with art in local galleries to teaching in the public schools & local arts centers for adults, to taking time to raise our boys- while staying in touch with my creative side painting murals for 15 years. Finally applying creative ideas into developing the vision for our company that's kept us moving forward these past 17 years. Founder + CEO, Karyn Villante graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology- AAS Fashion Design, BS Textile Production Management. She designed for imports as well as domestic, but really loved working domestically in the knitting mills in New York. She left the industry years ago to raise her two daughters, working part-time jobs and always in a creative field. Pushed by her daughter to reignite her business & share her designs, based on a sweater that she knitted for her daughter, she forged ahead. Karyn states, "The decline in establishments making knitted apparel in New York is dramatic and sad. According to the United States Census Bureau, there were 283 Apparel Knitting Mills in 1998, and there were 44 in 2011. Far too many knitting mills have gone out of business. I had tried in the past to call many of the knitting mills that I had worked with only to find that the number was no longer in service.   I needed to try harder.   After many hours on the phone, and many days “pounding the pavement”, (yes, I knocked on doors, and spoke into the microphones”), I was hopeful. The exact knitting machine that made the original sweater was undoubtedly in a landfill somewhere; but there were new, better faster machines that could replicate the stitch. I found a knitter. I found a dye house. I found a finisher. Would they make a small order? Small orders are more difficult in production but the mills were willing to help me.  What grew from that original small order came more requests. MADE*HERE NEW YORK™ is the start of something really great. Hope you like our product and support manufacturing in New York."   Each product comes with a handwritten tag with a different quote from a famous New York woman.    “Do one thing every day that scares you” –Eleanor Roosevelt We hope you are inspired by these amazing stories! Olivia

How can you elevate your kitchen to "master chef" caliber? The secret to a winning promotion, with high ROI starts with a master plan. Our recipe for success starts with quality products. You've heard the term home is where the heart is- and if you follow our blog, then you already know that we have numerous posts about cooking , the kitchen and products to make your tasks easier. In the spring, we posted about Joesph Joesph brand products for your home or office break room, catch up on the back story of the brand here . Besides, you also should know by now that we love word play. The retention & recall around those cheesy promotions- works! A little quirky, but that's okay. Brand building, relationship development and long term connection is part of magic behind tangible marketing strategies. Consider the word play around these items- "let's whip up", "a cut above", "precise", "stay sharp", "organized", "right tool", "right blend", " a touch of" and even a problem solver. Home products statistically also have "stay power"- meaning as long as they are useful & functional, you can count on your brand dollars staying "home" for years. Besides offering high ROI for low CPI- this type of promotion will resonate on a personal level. Brand names are also an appreciated gift for key relationships & to reward, retain and acknowledge top talent. Check out the full line here .

Our industry has long been associated with the power of touch; meaning putting marketing & advertising in the hand of your target market. The consistent engagement yields response, reaction and converts prospects to consumers. However there are ways to add more value & inclusion for your message. What if your audience can feel the product, use it- but can't see the imprint? We have a partner with awarding raised imprinting, trademarked TruColor™ offers Braille imprint on drinkware. For those they rely on braille, this technology is a game changer. Rather than relying on communicating your message through discussion, individuals with vision impairment can interact with a brand message in a more personal way. The pronounced dot system created by the raised imprint meets the ADA point size specifications. This type of technology applied to a marketing campaign, demonstrates an additional layer of understanding and inclusion to the visually impaired community. Take a look at how this process looks: Pretty cool right?

Did you know that Sept 22nd is American Business Women's Day? It's a day meant to honor the accomplishments of businesswomen around the USA. In fact, according to the SBA, Women represent $1.9 Trillion  in revenue! We love networking with other women, it was in fact the motivation behind our spring Pearls Series. By coming together through friendship, networking events, seminars, classes or just the break room there is time for professional growth. Sharing stories & experiences help to motivate and uplift others along their journey. Women are often considered nurturers. which makes us hard-wired to give back to others and share knowledge & experiences. Often through conversation we find that our challenges & frustrations are not unique to our business journey. Discussion is a healthy way to lean on & learn from another woman's experience. It's the sharing of experiences that's the motivation around an upcoming event  in October with the Apex Chamber of Commerce. Suburban Living Magazine captured this article, highlighting why the panel is excited to discuss innovation, resilience and forging your own path. Read more here . Support businesswomen in your area, whether they're experienced or just starting out. Join forces with other business leaders and create a positive environment for women in business. Share your business style, strengths, and creativeness using #AmericanBusinessWomensDay to post on social media. If you like a good back story, it was the American Business Women's Association first sponsored American Business Women's Day in 1982 before Congress made a official proclamations in 1983 and 1986.

Sometimes we all need to calm down & make our space more comfortable. Diffuse your mind & body of daily stress! Gifting for the home or office! Elevate your home ambiance with the enchanting Vitruvi Glow Diffuser and Essential Oils Bundle. Designed to naturally scent your space with 100% pure essential oils, this diffuser also features a light-up body that creates a soft, ambient glow. The Glow Diffuser features an 8-hour run time, ensuring long-lasting fragrance throughout your day. The 100% pure essential oils create a relaxing and uplifting atmosphere. Did you know? All Vitruvi scents 100% natural, vegan, pure, cruelty-free, and packaged in UV protected bottles to preserve the quality. Additionally these oils are free from synthetic fragrances, formaldehydes, mineral oil, phthalates, parabens and sulfates. In fact, all the formulas are compliant with the European Union's & Sephora's clean standards. Shop the collection here. This product is part of our ProudPath collection. What's the collection all about- learn more here . Do you use diffusers?

When we say a little birdie told me- well, usually we are trying to provide secrecy to the source. In this case, this little birdie sings- chicka'd brand apparel. "Inspire women to live intentionally and feel confident to build a life they want. Because a life well-lived is one that's full of purpose, passion, and joy.", according to their website! In 2009, CEO and owner Nesha Sanghavi, a former college cheerleader, started the company from her parents' garage with the vision to innovate women’s apparel in the collegiate market. Since then, she and chicka-d’s all-female design team have committed to create the softest and most trend-forward essentials. Fast forward to today, chicka-d has expanded outside of the college market- in fact, shop the collection here ; it might be perfect for your next brand promotion. Our showroom, blog and newsletters are saturated with woman-owned partnership stories! "Fall" in love with this comfy, cozy brand. Let's explore some design concepts for a fall distribution featuring this brand. Ask us for a PDF of even more of our favorite options & partnerships!

Let's face it, there are not many folks that can walk away from a treat. Shareable food gifts are perfect for a crowd, a nice way to welcome new team members with a quick "party" to break the ice, a reward in the break room or a nice surprise shipped to your home when you are recovering or dealing with the stress of being a new parent! DEI councils- we're calling. Do you want to feature woman-owned & even woman- founded partners? We have solutions. In fact, it's not new for us. As a woman- owned business, we have been sharing options with our partners since 2007! Each year we are delighted even more options are available in our industry. As we head into gifting season, let's explore food gifts. Many of these partners also give back- ask us to share more information. Did you know we have a assortment of woman- owned partners for food gifts? Goodies for Good Rume - In support of our women-owned gourmet food manufacturers. What better way to support women-owned businesses than with a gift of goodies made by women tucked inside our purposeful RuMe® Recycled Pouch! 88 Acres - an energy boost that's - thoughtfully crafting bars and butters with whole seeds and simple ingredients — just like you would at home. This wife & husband team makes everything in our allergen-friendly Bakery to foster a more inclusive and empowered community. Lark Fine Foods - is a 100% woman-owned and operated specialty food company located north of Boston in historic Essex, Massachusetts. The company makes a distinctive line of small-batch cookies and savory biscuits inspired by “grown-up” consumers with sophisticated tastes. Their goal to create products that excite the senses with flavor combinations that are sometimes unexpected, but always delicious! Custom Sweet Card Chocolates employs adults with disabilities & brownies that help build playgrounds for kids! Ask us about ways to customize your gifts - making the presentation extra special, as well as hitting all the objectives for your promotion. Marketing strategy is always a part of the promotion. Let's make an impression. Can't pick a favorite and would like to craft a kit? We have numerous ways to help, including this gift box which highlights an array of delicious food products created by incredible women. The founder's box, by women-owned entrepreneurs creating USA-Made products, which could include these options: Effie's oat cakes, East Shore Dipping Pretzels with Sweet & Tangy Mustard, J&M Chocolate Chip Cookies, 88 Acres Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Seed Bar, Lark Salted Caramel Cookies and Hammond's Caramel Popcorn. If you would like to add a journal, pen, drinkware or other decorated items please contact our team to assist in creating a unique gift to suit your preferences!

Frothing might not always be associated with something good, but in this case- yes! Let's explore this idea. Whip up something cozy & delightful with your own hand held mixer! A unique and versatile item for the home or office to quickly froth cream, make lattes — even mix drinks! On a dreary day like today, it's a useful accessory that’s perfect for cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, hot chocolate, mixed drinks, aerating wine and more! Convenient for the break room- the single-press on/off button is perfect for one-handed use, while the sleek metal stand keeps your frother neatly organized and ready for use. It make a perfect companion at home or in the office break room! Whip up something unexpected this holiday season, pair this with mugs. Maybe even layer in some signature hot coco blends ! Another one of our quirky enough to work ideas for branding & marketing your company.

Large life moments fill a space in time, making us want to reshare the story. When we are captivated, we stop checking our phones; we're in the moment. Being present means that we're "all in", drawn into the plot. A well crafted event delivers a story. The secret to crafting a legendary story starts with the planning. Through collaboration we define the narrative. The narrative forms by knowing the purpose, the people and the why behind an event. Without defining the story, it's impossible convey the essence of your story to the attendee. Strategic choices fuel conversation and compel us to re-share our experience. Here are two recent partner's stories. Wake Tech Foundation's annual IGNITE 2024 focused on the heroes in their hallways, igniting students to achieve goals. United in purpose! Super heroes wear wristbands. Through the testimonials, attendees heard stories that underscored the importance of community partners & champions. Bonded to the narrative, the bands become a symbol. Each individual then becomes an ignitor in the community, using our inner hero to create a positive effect on others to achieve. The Town of Fuquay-Varina recently opened and dedicated their newest fire house. A capacity crowd of residents, business leaders and first responders came together to remember the past and celebrate a milestone moment of growth. This fast-growing Southwest Wake Town has brought increased access to services for residents and the business community with the opening of station 4. In 2023, the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department responded to 5,786 emergency calls! This new station is a model for firefighter health & safety with a separate decontamination building to help prevent harmful, cancer- causing products of combustion from entering the main building. Additionally, there is a history room, shown here, to highlight the FVFD's rich history. The centerpiece is a fully restored 1945 Mack Truck, the first new fire truck bought by the Town of Fuquay Springs. The truck is featured on the coin. Attendees received a signature coin as a keepsake to the past & present. We love how this design captures that story. Storytelling is a craft. We create for products that keep turning the page of your story.

On October 1st, National Sarcastic Awareness Month begins. Sarcasm is defined as using irony to mock or convey contempt. Apparently sarcasm goes back to the Viking era, and was passed along to the British in 1050 A.D. For some it's too edgy, but comedians use it all the time. For me, I'd agree it requires quick wit and an ability to turn the conversation- but you also know I love a double entendre and a pun! What's humor got to do with promotions, marketing and branding? Know your audience. Some brands are known for going out on a limb- look at the success of Liquid Death, a brand that took over the water market simply by projecting a cool, edgy vibe in concept, design and target audience. Visuals make our brain respond faster- 60,000 times faste r. Brand engagement is about connection & experience. What do major brand do to build that loyal following? Crafting a brand message requires quick wit & creativity to immediately see the connect you want to make - the story you want to project. Creativity combined with other talents, skillsets, knowledge & experience helps. Thinking "on your feet"- it's an acquired skillset seeing pathways & opportunities to turn a narrative. Perhaps this blog post will make you think differently about sarcasm, and how humor can be a sign of creative thinking at work.