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RIGHT BRAINERS RULE! Am I suggesting there is a wrong brain? Nope, plenty of my friends & family are left brainers- but, as a right brainer I love the power of that side of your brain's hemisphere. October is Right Brainer Month- but it takes both sides of your brand to function. The human brain is divided into two hemispheres. Although the two halves look alike, they have some large differences. They do work together for some functions, but the theory is that in most people, one half is more dominant. The left side of the brain is prominent in facts and logic. The right side of the brain is considered to be the creative side. Pursuing creative activities like sewing, drawing, painting, singing, writing or playing an instrument are all ways to embrace your creative side. Sometimes individuals need a boost to get their creativity going. A creative spark noteboo k or journal might help you unlock the right part of your brain and sometimes being square , might also be the secret to unleashing your creative side! When you are ready to develop something truly unique- let's collaborate. We have numerous examples in our showroom & case studies we can share with you that showcase the limitless ways the creative mind can solve a challenge. Embrace the unconventional !

October is self- promotion month- and sometimes you should become your own promoter! There is an group of individuals or companies that needs to know more about you- it's called your target audience! Often individuals aren't comfortable with self-promotion viewing the result as bragging or pushy. There are times that you should share your worth- yes, it's part of marketing . A larger company has an internal PR & Marketing team ready to generate social media, print ready bio's, blogs and submits regularly to publications, press & local awards. If you don't have your own dedicated team - get outside your head. Put yourself in the third person for a change and promote the great work you are doing personally & professionally. Still feeling a little timid, start with signage in the office, windows, doors, countertops, walls- really anywhere you have space to share good news. It's a strong visual reminder of your value. We have a variety of affordable graphics, including aluminum & acrylic signs, as well as easy to swap out SEG displays and floor mats to help shape your narrative. Not sure what any of those products we suggest look like or how they will work for your space? Set up a time to visit our showroom.

Perhaps you saw our earlier post this year about FEED and Terra Thread bags, both partners responding to the needs of food insecurity among our youth. Did you know the 2nd full week in October, is National School Lunch Week? The week is designed to put a spotlight on the programs & nutritious food. Since 1946, national school lunch programs have been available, but the programs & offerings vary by state & district. Around the triangle, we are fortunate to have a program for offering both breakfast & lunch and some schools have created their own pantries, summer programs or weekend snack packs for students or families that might be struggling with food insecurity. Programs that feed students not only make it easier for these students to concentrate & focus in school, because they are not hungry but the programs lift up spirits & demonstrate compassion for others. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a joint proclamation by Congress designating the second full week of October to be National School Lunch Week. The National School Lunch Act became United States federal law in 1946 and created the National School Lunch Program. It provides low-cost or free school lunches to qualified students. Lunch bags, boxes, sandwich & snack keepers and utensils are all products that are popular to brand. Perhaps the next time you brand one of these products, you might consider allocating some funds to a local food pantry or program in your area. Ask us to share some connections for programs in the area.

What does it mean to have a sunny disposition? Positive Attitude Month is observed in October. Beyond optimism, an individual that sees the glass half full, being positive makes you more fun to be around. We all know a Debbie Downer or Negative Nancy; however, being positive has health benefits! 6 Lasting Benefits of a Positive Attitude Longer life span because of overall lower stress levels Lower chance of depression More resistance to sicknesses like the common cold Increased physical and mental well being Less risk of death from cardiovascular disease More developed coping skills during challenges. What are some ways to reward team members? A silver lining set to show appreciation for positive vibes at work. A snack treat Wear a positive attitude Need some gentle reminders? Try renewal affirmation card s. Remember, think positively. Expect great things. #PositiveAttitude

The Poe Center! The work of the mighty organization is amazing. Today we borrow from their website to share about what they are doing for kids and families across NC right now- making a real difference. Since opening in Raleigh in 1991, the Poe Center has educated more than 1.7 million participants from 95 counties . Who is Poe? Their expert health educators partner with schools and organizations across the state to provide health education to children and adults. Engaging programs are available on nutrition & physical activity, adolescent development, general health, substance use prevention, dental health, bullying prevention, mental wellness, and cooking and gardening education. Poe’s field trip destination in Raleigh is a one-of-a-kind- immersive experience featuring unique teaching spaces. Health educators can also bring programs directly to a school or organization and supplemental resources are available online. Over 87% of program participants report making positive behavior changes after a program with the Poe Center. Starting tomorrow, the Poe Center kicks off it's annual meeting to support the mental health and well-being of youth. The Poe Center’s 2024 annual conference will focus on emerging information on youth mental health and well-being, the impact, and what we all can do about it. Experts in the field who are problem-solving and taking steps to help young people stay safe and experience healthy development, and who will providing guidance on how to support our youth every day and in times of high need will be speaking to attendees. According to the most recent North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey: According to our friends at Poe, there are things we can do to support our youth in our communities, at school, and at home. The conference empowers attendees with knowledge, tools, and resources that they use to make a difference, and raises money in support of the Poe Center’s mission and work. If you or someone you know is struggling or needs support now, call or text 988 or chat  988lifeline.org Since the conference starts tomorrow, it might be too late for you to get involved this year but if this topic speaks to you, read more here and please consider a donation!

Yes- we think you should always have your own signature identity at work for your brand. It's visionary assurance, united purpose at work for you- our team is up for the task. Smart marketing is about making sure what you offer, your values & your originality show through in your product selection, decoration, design and distribution. Be thoughtful. What's trending among many brand partners? Words like sustainability, inclusive, social responsibility and holistic approach are part of a modern vocabulary. Stories however are now front & center, as a necessary & relevant part of marketing. Being aware of story behind your product selections from supply chain, workforce and where your brand partners are aligning their charitable outreach has become part of market strategy. Similarly your footprint is captured by choices. Your company's brand identity is easier than ever to trace and someone is always looking. Stories that are going to continue to trend include: A push for USA Made, reducing the need for shipping goods & generating more local jobs. Purpose Driven Partnerships- the why behind a brand. Asking about the certifications, the alliances and the environmental footprint from production to consumer. Construction of goods- knowing that products are reusing materials that otherwise would become waste. Diversity of partnership- woman- owned, veteran owned, black-owned and the list goes on further. Customization- private labeling your brand to not only curate the collection that best represents you. As you head into year-end. Remember to go back to resources like your monthly newsletters and VIP options for more complete details about programs we craft. After-all the showroom & design studio are the perfect location to start, build and craft a well rounded story.

Are you into strength and conditioning? Is quality a top priority? When you want a product that works as hard as you do, we have solutions. An extra large fitness towel, perhaps one with a special magnetic clip to keep it off the gym floor and equipment is the perfect solution. Use the same concept on beach towels or add to golf towels to increase the value of your promotion. Do you know what else is cool? Using water reactive ink on towels that will be on the beach, at the pool, in the gym or on the links. The change will add surprise and suspense, as well as showcase your logo when there is moisture around. Another quirky enough to work idea. Watch this video . Pretty cool right? No matter the problem, we have solutions!

Spend some time doing what you love, giving back and making a difference- that's the giant wave of success two guys that love to surf are enjoying thanks to this idea. Ocean lovers, this product removes 1 pound of trash from ocean's, rivers and coastlines. Handcrafted by local artisans on the tropical island of Bali, the bracelet is made from 95% post- consumer recycled glass beads with silica added for strength & durability. A 100% recycled 4ocean plastic cod, 100% recycled stainless charm and comes in a 4ocean hemp bag. Read about the mission of 4ocean here . The back story starts with 2 friends that love to surf, and love the ocean. Their passionate startup became a global cleanup operation that recovers millions of pounds of trash from the world’s oceans, rivers, and coastlines every year. As business, 4ocean is a B-Corp, voluntarily meeting high standards of accountability & transparency around employee benefits, supply chain practices, and includes a company's impact around governance, workers, community, environment and customers. As a wearable, this fashionable item is lightweight, stylish, unisex & fit with an adjustable band and of course, surfer's made sure it's waterproof!

Get ahead of your competition by offering a name brand that offers more value. Take a look at these stat's from our 2023 post and compelling reasons to market your brand using a cap here. How can a cap do more? The melin Custom Program was created to make premium, collaborative headwear with the world’s most prestigious partners leaving our shared customers blown away by the details and quality of the products they receive. Elevate your premium brand creating a next level headwear experience never before available until now with superior technology and relentlessly testing you know the quality will be a fit! What should you expect? Custom molded trim Water & sweat will bead off the repellent exterior Resin based visor core makes the cap buoyant, which keeps it floating & holds shape Moisture wicking interior, repels sweat and water, adding comfort A hidden pocket for stowing cash Thumbnail undervisor seal, designed to land your thumb and reduce oil & grime build up Padded comfort band, soft fabric Hand wash, but quick dry and UPF protection! Ask us about where their foundation gives back! Co- founders Brian McDonell and Corey Roth have this to say about their cap story- "For us, a hat isn’t just an accessory that we occasionally throw on as we’re leaving the house. It’s the most critical part of our everyday wardrobe. It’s the first thing someone sees when they look at your face and their first impression of your personal style. It’s the billboard that tells the world who you are, what you value, your passions, where you’re from and how you live your life. Being from Southern California, we grew up a part of many different cultures. We skated & snowboarded, played baseball & football, and were surrounded by some of the most influential music, art and fashion in the world. We’re equally comfortable in boardshorts at the beach as we are dialing it up to go out on Sunset Blvd. The one constant, is that we never go anywhere without wearing a hat. As our tastes evolved, we wanted something more than another cheap cap with our favorite team’s logo or a cap from an apparel brand that didn’t put any effort or thought into their headwear. We wanted something better, but it didn’t exist for us…so we decided to create it. We spent four years learning how to build, improve and elevate the ball caps that we loved. We researched the most iconic fabric mills in the world and sourced the best materials available on the planet. We tirelessly worked on improving our fit to be sure they were the most comfortable caps we’d ever worn. We looked at every single detail in our caps and figured out ways to innovate them. Our entire life was focused on building the most premium caps that the world had ever seen. Finally, in 2013, we were ready to show what we had created. Inspired by the art of millinery: the craft of bespoke hat making which dates to the 16th century in Milan Italy, we are proud to present Melin." This brand is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want a hat that they can wear to the beach, the mountains, and everywhere in between.

How do you keep the mind nimble, open for exploration and problem solving? Simple- provide daily challenges to think outside the norm and to devote time to play. Playfulness provides the mind time to wander. An interactive desk top activity, that also becomes a sleek sculpture of numerous possibilities for generating a 3D design is a simple place to start. The magnetic base offers stability for the 30 magnetic bards and 15 metal ball bearings, as well as a place to focus energy that needs a quick break to recharge the mind. Puzzled by how this quirky idea can work for your brand? Ask us to develop a campaign around puzzles & games; our creativity at work for you. Puzzle games, puzzle coasters, puzzle toys, even USA-Made stone puzzles , that also function as work of art. Visual ques work for retention around themes of unity, strategy and the importance of teaming. We love playing , it's an essential part of the creative process.

There is a reason teams with excellent coaches, excel. An ability to fire up the team- creating a sense of purpose, united goals and a desire to work together is an art. Not all leaders are also effective at motivating the team. Have you ever seen the football film Rudy ? Google it, better yet; catch it on your favorite platform. Even over 20 years later, this film from 1993 resonates with me. The film is based on the account of how Daniel, "Rudy" Ruettiger defied the odds & significant obstacles to play for the University of Notre Dame. The coach in the movie was not motivational and he could not see why Rudy's teammates found in him both the spirit & motivation they needed to win. The leadership of the teammates rallied to created an unforgettable moment. While you are googling, consider the number of times your newsfeed will come across a post about the culture of a company and a great place to work. Similarly you'd often see posts about leadership qualities or a boss that someone thinks fondly off years later when they're no longer co-workers. No, a promotional items is not going to instill passion, cultivate leadership or promote a sense of unity- that requires a human connection . However, through smart messaging, people will connect the message with the object; in turn cultivating unity through a product. By 7 am today, individuals that currently worked together and some that previously worked together were all taking about products they received from their company and why they liked and appreciated those products. They could not wait to get to work to get their own group of products from a recent campaign waiting on their desk. That's team spirit. It also never gets old seeing shirts we either designed for clients or produced being present when employees volunteer, run, perform and come together as a team. Get inside the headspace of your team. Be positive, uplift, motivate and score together. Create your own brand enthusiasts and coach the team to a win! Do you have a favorite way your team bonds?

Rain, rain go away? I don't know about you, but a rainy day always makes me want something warm and comfy. The weather makes me want to curl up with a nice blanket , a cozy chair and something warm to drink. The blankets from tentree are just my speed. These blankets are soft, beautiful and each purchase plants trees that help regenerate ecosystems and provide jobs in communities around the world. Rest assured their products are made in fair, safe working conditions using only the comfiest, earth friendly materials! Sometimes leaving a footprint is a good thing. There are individuals that have a thirst for the outdoors, any terrain, all conditions and still seek the perfect pour. The compact, sleek & stylish designs of the VSSL brand are perfect. VSSL designs and manufactures modern tools for the outdoors. They believe critical gear should be secure, waterproof-sealed, compact, and ready when you need it.  Explore here. Where do you prefer to drink your coffee?