Food provides a reason to gather. We all enjoy a break and a treat, making food gifts the perfect gift year-round for a large group. No sizing requirements, no concerns about preferences- just plenty of tasty options. Frequently we've shared show to incorporate food into your marketing or employee programs. Review previous posts here . Food gifts are a crowd pleaser and one of the simplest ways to customize your order quickly. Add cards, layer in promotional items and even use stock you have on hand. We kit, fulfill and ship to each person on your list with high quality packaging and fresh, made to order options. We only work with partners that don't save, share or re purpose our list. That means your recipients won't get solicitations later and their privacy is safe. Interested in all the reasons to consider gifting with food, watch here. We can customize your options! Holiday inspirations in this flip  catalog and more ideas here . Food gifts are low cost when you consider the number of individuals that can enjoy once gift, plus these options are always fresh- USA MADE! Even sustainable options in this flip catalog and this video captures ways to use containers for reducing waste. Ready to develop a program that fits your needs?

Who doesn't love a surprise? Even if the treat is similar, it's fun to open the door. Generate excitement for an upcoming event or the countdown to a milestone moment. A countdown to the new year or a benchmark event, just got a little sweeter with 24 opportunities for a custom message. A simple treats can pack a powerful visual punch. Our graphic design team can assist with a custom image that fits your distribution needs. Don't forget we can drop ship to each recipient. Even remote workers could all share a treat together during a virtual meeting. This type of project is definitely one of our quirky enough to work options. By the way? Have you ever watched chocolate being made? Here's one of our partners demonstrating the process. Did you know there were already 50 different shapes, across many industries that we can provide custom in each box? Watch here . This flip catalog has ideas to consider for individuals and groups!

When you "go between" friends and neighbors, making connections everyone wins! By "meeting in the middle", you support your entire community, connecting resources and making the most of the holiday season by spreading goodwill & cheer. November 19th is Entrepreneur Day. In the spirit of education , let's brush up on the definition & explore the origins of the word entrepreneur. According to Merriam Webster, the word entrepreneur simply means “a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money”; ouch ! Their dictionary also states that the word carries the connotation of being far-sighted/visionary and innovative. In the 19th century, the word was used as the go betwee n, defined as a person undertakes any activity. By the 20th century term implied a go getter & independent business owner. For me, the phrase entrepreneurial spirit , describes a person with vision; one that forges ahead. When I first sat down with the founders of the Apex Public School Foundation, I could "see" the vision Co-Founder & President Barb Conroy shared. She had a passion to plant seeds of innovation by supporting local schools. I was hooked before they started their journey to build the non-profit. Her passion for supporting teachers is still as contagious today. Historically the last couple months of the year focuses consumer attention on supporting local businesses. Over the past 17 years, our company has been fortunate to grow & experience the seasons of change in Historic Downtown Apex. As we head into the final chapter of 2024, it's time for us to unveil our 17th Halle Tree & Wreath entry. The proceeds from this event help our neighbors at Western Wake Crisis Ministry . A little teaser- there will be some Richardson Apex NC caps in our entry. Bid on our entry or simply support your local schools to score local gear! When you purchase each of the items on this site 100% of the proceeds go to Apex Public School Foundation as a donation. We are kicking off our support local efforts & partnership on Small Business Saturday. After Saturday, we will keep the momentum rolling throughout the holiday season as a snowman stroll stop with the Town of Apex's Snowman Stroll . The store has several popular holiday gift ideas- beanies, bags & caps! As our way of thanking you for supporting the local public schools & local companies like ours , the first 50 people to pick up their products will score free support local gear! Our designer's created some amazing choices! Take a look at these designs below. Options include either a pair of socks or a tee! Limited stock & sizes & colors.  All orders will need to be picked up from Promotional Partners in Downtown Apex- that way, we get to thank our neighbors for supporting local this season.

Brand power and impact in one product? Yes! As certified professionals we know how to harness the power and create impact for your brand through strategic product choices. Let's explore the history of our industry with a look at these facts. The power of touch at work- The first imprinted promotional products were used by George Washington in 1789 as a part of his campaign for president. 8 in 10 people like receiving promotional products. 7 in 10 people wish they received promotional products more often ! 96% of consumers want to know ahead of time when companies offer promotional products. Jasper Meek started using burlap bags to promote small businesses in 1896. He was even dubbed the “Father of Promotional Products”! Almost 9 out of 10 people can recall the company that gave them branded promotional products. While most consumers keep a promotional product because its useful, research shows 79% of consumers will pass along products they don't find useful. Maybe that's why yesterday's newspaper is now lining Fido's crate. When given branded promotional products by their employer, 59% of employees have a more favorable impression of their workplace. 9 out of 10 people say that they've gone out of their way to get a promo product! 85% of product recipients did business with the advertiser who gave them the item. Nearly 6 out of 10 people say that they would enter sweepstakes, contests, or raffles to win promotional products. Promotional products that reference pop culture and current trends appeal mainly to Gen Z consumers, while Baby Boomers respond to products that carry an important message more than any other age group. More than 60% of people who receive promotional products will look the brands up online later. 80% of people have an immediate & positive reaction when they receive promotional products from a company they didn't know about previously. What do you love about the power of touch? Sources: 2019 Consumer Study, PPAI Research 2019 Sales Volume Study, PPAI Research

Before heading home for the holidays, secure the essential products that will make your trip glide along the path without disruption. The 30108 Weekender Travel Bag , with a drop bottom, has all the space and style you need for a quick getaway. Compartmentalize your bag with secure pouches for many types of necessities using these travel cubes or clean bags to keep shoes or dirty items away from items you want to keep clean & fresh. Personal care items to pamper yourself along the journey. Stay toasty with this cozy set , or ask us to craft one that's custom for your brand. Get the rest you need before seeing the family this year with a neck pillow! Travel gifts are a welcome surprise with price points that are affordable for any budget. You're also demonstrating that you are solutions oriented & interested in helping individuals with comfort & ease. Looking for more travel ideas? Keep exploring the blog here.

Our company became part of our community in 2007. From the start, we've been rooted in giving back through service, mentorship and philanthropy. As our post yesterda y described, giving & investing connects us to our community, keeps us rooted in what's really important in life and touches our humanity. Volunteering also provides you the opportunity to get to know your community and build relationships through collective service. Let's face it, owning a business cuts down on your time for a social life, so forming social relationships via service- that's a perk! Besides, you get to know some amazing people in your community. We stopped counting community service hours years ago, since it was well over 100K hours and spanned 19 different leadership & fundraising roles. We've been a speaker, panelist, moderator or facilitator and supported our local chamber's of commerce serving on boards, ambassador programs & chairing committees. Investing in youth paves the way for the future workforce to be more prepared for the challenges they will face. Boots on the ground provides a training ground outside the walls of the classroom. We've been a long time supporter and contributor to our local public school programs as mentor, speaker and facilitator. Additionally we've supported local internship programs, business alliances and career fairs. Within our industry we've paid it forward by frequently contributing to industry publications or forums for best practices. In 2024 our sponsorship dollars have benefited 22 different projects or programs with veterans, chambers of commerce, local schools, Special Olympics, food insecurity, healthcare, public safety, education, youth and empowering women. Since 2007 our giving total has totaled $95,735. Currently, you will find our service footprint the Apex Rotary Club & the Apex Festival Commission- better known as PeakFest. If you'd like to know more about how you can get involved in the community- let's set up a time to chat. We'd love to learn more about you and connect you to local resources. Together, we contribute to strong communities by supporting each other. As we wind down 2024- watch for a special opportunity to give back! Keep following our socials for details!

I can't color my hair- and found that out the hard way in 2014. However, those roots are not the story. This post is about a different type of root. I am talking about what's down deep. What's taken root in your soul. What defines you. Unexpected twists in your life provide some of the most meaningful moments. Those knots along the way add texture and make good stories. Today I had 3 unplanned discussions, with 3 different individuals. One dealing with a personal challenge, one disillusioned by service from individuals with an agenda and one that showed me their vulnerable side- through wit, grit and compassion. Each of these individuals is sincere, empathic and not afraid to show their humanity. Standing beside you and standing up for you- that's a strong root. What feeds my soul is knowing that time was well spent. The time away from family to grow the business, or the time away from business to be active in the community should matter. Time well spent should feed your soul and even better if it supports or lifts up another. Otherwise- why invest your time, talents and resources? Did you know that November 14 is National Philanthropy Day? Philanthropy has on the fabric of society . There are so many worthy organizations of your time, talents and resources. Find what give your purpose, feeds your soul. Today is National Kindness Day. Giving and kindness, go hand in hand. When we give of ourselves we get more in return. Kindness is free! Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Giving inspires others to think about kindness and more than one's self, it helps us connect to those around us. I love sharing connecting one-on-one about ways we can make an impact together in the roots of our community. So go ahead- let those roots show!

Simple low cost ideas- stick around! Helping your message stay around with your target market is the reason for promotional marketing & advertising. By sticking together- the product & the recipient you have time to bond. While you won't develop an emotional attachment to this actual product, when the product provides a solution or an opportunity to reflect on what you love, well it's a match. Face-time with builds bonds! Enough puns? Perhaps- but it's quirky enough to work. We hope you know, promotional marketing & advertising works- take a look at these stat's.

Today is Veteran's Day- a moment to show appreciation for the men & women that serve or have served this country. Veteran's Day was first observed over 100 years ago as Armistice Day after the end of World War I. In 1954, at the urging of veterans’ service organizations, Congress renamed it Veterans Day. The holiday has been observed over the years with parades and solemn ceremonies, and it’s a great opportunity to thank the veterans in your community for their service. There are numerous ways to support veterans beyond just today. Local Apex American Legion Post 124 host several days throughout the year to honor veterans, as well as holding community events and staying active supporting local veterans. We have brand partners that give back to veterans, such as: Mission 22 , outreach programs for long-term wellness through specific CamelBak purchases BaseCamp giving back to Wounded Warrior Patriot . helping to homes for veteran's with Homes for Our Troops We also have partners f or goods that are manufactured by veteran-owned partners. Ask us to share some samples with you next time you are in the showroom. Buying from these partners or supporting these types of give back programs are simple ways you can make a difference. Acknowledging service & shared values is another way to convey what makes your company unique.

The American Dream. Each individual has their own vision to associate with those words. Traditionally, the phrase is associated with opportunity. What is opportunity? Opportunity is a noun, meaning a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. The word also functions like a verb when we see a path, then take action. Record numbers of individuals are becoming entrepreneurs. In fact, USA Today reported these small business statistics in an Oct 16 report: Small businesses make up 99.9% of all U.S. firms, with around 33.3 million of these businesses in total across the country. They’re also responsible for almost two-thirds of newly created jobs in the U.S. between 1995 and 2021. Small businesses also comprise 99.7% of firms with paid employees and 97.3% of exporters while contributing 43.5% of the country’s total gross domestic product Self-employed small business owners in the U.S. earn an average of $51,816 per year. However, for unincorporated businesses, this decreases to an average of $26,084 per year. Small businesses that have one employee typically bring home around $44,000 per year, according to Fora Financial. Around 18% of small businesses will fail within a year of opening, while half fail after five years and approximately 65% after operating for up to 10 years. Women own around 26% of all small businesses in the U.S., while just under half are owned by Generation X, and only 14% of small business owners are Black, Hispanic or Asian. Al most four-fifths of small business owners were self-financed when launching, while 16% were funded by bank loans. Loans from family and friends made up the remaining 2% to 6%. Jumping into the world of being an entrepreneur means embracing a mindset of staying curious, adapting & innovating and being resistant. There will be set backs, but we grow from those failures to learn more. Each new step provides us new opportunities. Each step moves us forward to thrive. So, who's minding the store in the USA? The answer is probably a small business owner, who's an entrepreneur with a vision. These individuals are clearly not making millions, but continue to be invested in their community. American entrepreneurs are the heart & soul of community by creating jobs, innovating, investing in themself & others while that forge ahead to pursue their American Dream. This month, we challenge you to be bold, experiment, ask questions, remain curious and chase your dreams!

No, I am not talking about a revolt. I am talking about turning heads and utilizing the entire imprint area of these mugs to tell your story. This type of product fits our quirky enough to work series, offering at least 20 ways to use the imprint space creatively. Here's our list of 20 ways to add more value: Share fundraising impact Sales Kick bullet points Key reasons you offer more value Team photos Milestone moments to remember Destination vacations Hometown pride Footprint of your company within the community Benchmark dates Locations to access care or education Inspirational messages Fun quotes Reminders to reuse- zero waste Before & after shots Visual image of the services or products you offer Wedding memories Graduations Acknowledge volunteers Welcome new homeowner On-boarding employees, with company core values SEE how easy it was to generate a list of stories that could be enhanced by full color, full coverage graphics?! Remember, we offer graphic design services, creating logos and engaging ways to use your images on the surface. Here's a link to the product.

Recently, I was cleaning out a box of old documents I had saved from my parents. On Oct 20, 2024 I opened an old letter dated Oct 20, 1874. I was struck by the beauty of the handwriting. Each letter was carefully formed with care and consistency. It was also very cool to realize that 150 years ago, someone had taken time to "pen" the letter and I was holding that moment in time. There is a reason the classics are considered timeless. When something old resonates with you because of the design & quality, then you know there is something special. What's more classic than the fountain pen ? There is something both nostalgic & "classy" about writing with one of these pens. Today, November 1, is National Fountain Pen Day. Looking for a signature gift this season? Perhaps pair the pen with a leather wrapped journal that seems from an earlier time, yet add the twist of Silipint stein or go "old school", with a glass tankard or glassware set . Then- wrap up in a cozy blanket to read the return letter from someone special.