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What's behind that statement? Mission 22 is an organization founded by veteran's for veteran's to provide support to Veterans and their families when they need it most: right now. Through a comprehensive approach of outreach, events, and programs, they are are promoting long-term wellness to veteran's to help keep each individual & their families thriving. Their programs include monitoring sleeps, stress & activity with medication & coaching. They connect resources to those seeking assistance through their outreach to create a stronger society. Learn more about their back story here. From today through November 10, orders place with this quality Camelbak tumbler, in sand color only, will put 100% of the profits from our partner into Mission 22! What's special about a Camelbak tumbler? Superior quality A leader in sustainability efforts! By 2025, all CamelBak® products will be designed to reduce the company’s climate impact & continue to be made with the safest materials. 1% for the Planet Partnership Lifetime Guarantee Ask about additional partnerships we offer that support veteran programs!

We've got you covered head to toe- whether your toes are as furry as the human head. Delight the senses this season with comfy, cozy- custom designs! From your pooch to your co-workers there is truly something for everyone with this custom line of products. Simply sit back and let us design the kit of your dreams. Designs recipients will want to bring into their home & lifestyle. Including custom- pantone-matched leather! For a full line of choices download our PDF here. Ask us to start designing today!

November 4th is National Candy Day, making it fitting to discuss the sweet side of life. Here are five fun fact sets about American's crush on candy & chocolate: 1. 99% of households buy chocolate or candy at least once a year. Most people in the U.S. enjoy chocolate & candy 2-3x per week. According to CandyUSA.com (National Confectioners Association) 2. Candy sales – including chocolate, non-chocolate as well as gum and breath fresheners – increased in 2022 to $42.6 billion. Sweets sales have been on the upswing as consumers continue to look for ways to treat themselves after changes in holidays and celebrations during the COVID-19 pandemic decreased purchases in 2020. According to FoodDive.com 3. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 22 pounds of candy is consumed by Americans each year. Most of that is chocolate. Sites- Eater.com 4. Watermelon is the top summer flavor for 2023, followed by cherry and strawberry. Chocolate, gummies, and saltwater taffy round out the top three summer candy types. Again, facts from CandyUSA.com 5. Additionally, 94% of Americans will bring chocolate or candy with them camping, 93% of Americans say they’ll take along candy on a road trip, and 89% of beachcombers enjoy some sweet snacks in the sand. Sites- Abasto And a bonus fact, according to Nielsen the highest spike in weekly candy sales? Halloween, followed by Valentine's Day, and then Christmas. Since foodies remind us we eat with our eyes first, let's take a visual trip through some of the name-brand collections we offer for your branding! Ask us about crafting your own personalized collection for any day- after all give the people what they crave, some sweets!

If you live long enough, everything is retro. In the 80's, I embraced preppy- but drew a hard line at duck shoes; they were just plain ugly. Yes, a hater. However, somewhere along the road of life, I gave up totally embracing trends. Not only is it expensive to keep replacing your clothing, but it's hard getting rid of a favorite go-to item simply based on someone else's rules around what is trendy. Yes, I am eclectic in both my fashion choices & interior design, preferring to surround myself with textures, colors, and shapes that make me happy. After all, you only live your life, not someone else's. Enough with my reflections- what is trending & why? Preppy is familiar, adaptable, and all about the details. It's also not just for the Ivy League - it's been retooled with a facelift like all other previous trends. Borrowing from what we embraced the first time, but more relevant to our lifestyle now. The colors are more muted, but the quality is there. The styles are classic & transition well into work-to-leisure settings, with a polished look. Comfort in fabric & fit is here to stay- granny's gurgle is gone and replaced by fabrics that conform to your body type rather than you conforming to the fit. Modern consumers want fabrics that are easy to care for and are adaptable to their lifestyle- smart looks for work, stylish - yet ready for a quick walk with the dog or stopping after work for a pint with friends. What else is trending? varsity jackets, which makes me wonder when corporate teams will start embracing the idea of adding patches & pins for achievement to work wear? Color- from the bold to the pastels & earth tones, there really are a host of choices for how to layer in the right touch of color for your go-to "collectible" tees. Similar to the popularity of vintage concert tees, creating designs and selecting the right color for the tee & design work are important elements in creating your next favorite tee; capturing your moment in time. Sustainability- an increasing number of our lines have fabric that is made with plastic water bottles, recycled clothing scraps and produced with the environment in mind. Our blog has several features about why Eco-clothing is in demand and this quilted jacket is a hit for the inconsistent weather patterns we experience in North Carolina. Fall trends bring back those nostalgic sensory elements of texture- the ridges of corduroy, thermal-waffle textures, soft cozy fuzzy fabrics, puffy and drapey fits. What else is popular? We are still seeing clothing normally associated with dirty hand jobs, brands like Carhartt, trending now for several years. Guess what? One of my personal favorites, pockets is taking center stage. Finally, a place to put our phones and other items we just can't seem to live without being close at hand. Combine drapey with pockets, well that's a winner in my book. Check out this recent video of one of my favorite new pieces in our showroom collection. No matter your taste or perspective, we have options. A recent team of visitors commented on the vast choice of products & styles in our showroom. In fact, last week we added 50 new pieces to our showroom collection of products- outerwear, wovens, polos, fleece, sweatshirts & sweaters, and of course tees! Set up a time to come in and try on pieces from several of our partners. Olivia-

Dark Chocolate Lovers- Unite! What's sweeter than life's simple pleasures? Take time to show appreciation or a little love with a bite of something sweet. Fair Trade Certified™ ingredients. Each bar is made with soft vanilla caramel, cane sugar, fresh whipping cream, butter, and Madagascar vanilla––and always topped with Mediterranean sea salt. Each batch is also hand-stirred in copper kettles and made with love to ensure every card is full of deliciousness. What type of love can you send? Need more inspiration? Besides, you know how much we love purposeful partnerships. This partner is: Also- WOMAN-OWNED!!! EMPLOYS ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED, AND INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS, CHOCOLATE RECYCLABLE CARD PACKAGING MADE IN AMERICA 5-10 DAY TURNAROUND TIME DROP SHIP OR BULK SHIP – WE’RE GREAT IN KITS! Indulge your sweet tooth!

Is everyone on TikTok? Maybe not, but knowing what is trending among current generations is key. A huge part of the current workforce, who's holding a lot of buying power is Gen Z. This generation was born between 1996 and 2010, Gen Alpha is still currently being born, and Millennials- well they were born between 1980 and 1995. What's trending with the younger markets? 1- Health & Wellness. Mental health and wellness are vital to younger generations. In fact, 64% of surveyed Millennials and Generation Z's reported emotional well-being as most important to their overall health. (Source: Vice Media Group) 2. Home is Heart- Generation Z is learning to cook & bake from videos on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other popular apps. 53% of Gen Z's enjoy cooking, and 71% would love to learn how to cook more! (Source: The 2022 Instagram Trend Report, The Hartman Group) Which means functional, quality items for the home make great rewards or gifts. 3. Corporate social responsibility- walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Demonstrate where you are committed to making a difference and why. Our blog breaks down companies with shared values for your branding & marketing needs, follow those posts here. More ways to align your values through product selection: Sustainability Diversity & Inclusion Woman-owned partnerships. USA- Made 4. Media, is how younger people discover. They follow social platforms, watch new shows, look for new artists, and explore music, games, and brands through media; making tech-centered promotional products smart. Sorry, no pun intended! Follow top technology trends here. 5. Nostalgia - an obsession with mid- century modern, as well as the late 1990s and early 2000s. Beyond the re-vamped fanny pack to a modern cross-body tote or belt bag, think matching warm-up suits. Retro designs provide our talented graphics team with a canvas to create. Follow those stories here. Speaking of nostalgia, will velour make a comeback? Fun fact, Keith bought Olivia a hot pink & white striped warm-up set for Christmas 1983. We are still looking for that photo. The closest one we could find, was this lovely power blue & pink set. This photo was not taken with a Polaroid camera, but we have plenty that were!

Perhaps to get ahead of your competition, you should consider a headfirst strategy. Okay, so lots of bad puns, but the message is clear the data shows, that head-wear offers strong results. What's trending? For decoration- leather patches, full-color sublimation, direct-to-film processes For the senses- ridges, cuffs, fuzz, and softness For the fit- well that's the beauty of products for the head, the uni-fit factor! Besides if you're not already over our puns in this post, layer in your promotion by offering gloves and scarves. We have everything from custom knit to stock items ready for decoration. Our showroom is stocked with the latest styles to compare, we can kit your order and if you'd like- work with another NC partner. In fact, through December 31- we are offering 10% off our NC line of products.

Written by Emily Freed To continue the behind-the-scenes look into the process of Promotional Partners, the next part of the process includes the shipping and processing of the orders. This includes tracking, managing the order, and making sure it gets to the proper location. Internally, this also means that the team is communicating with each other to manage the shipping process efficiently and make sure the items are following the schedule that was agreed upon. The primary person responsible for this part of the process is Sherri who has a background in accounting and customer service. Sherri explains how her experience propels her work at Promotional Partners by explaining “I feel that having experienced many different careers in my life (Accounting, Real Estate, and IT) gives me a broad spectrum view of business, especially small businesses, and how to cater to the client and give them the experience they need.” Sherri continues to elaborate on the specificity of her role at Promotional Partners by stating “My role is to follow the order through the process to verify no hiccups. The client does not have to worry about their order as I am making sure it gets to them correctly and on time. If any issues arise, they are notified and if anything goes wrong I, as well as the whole team work with them for a solution.” This highlights how Promotional Partners is truly involved from the start of a project to the end of the project, and adds the reassurance that your order will be handled properly. Sherri goes into this by saying “I don’t think that clients realize that we are following their order from start to finish. I look at the status of each order every day.” Through Sherri, Promotional Partners can provide the confirmation and personal knowledge that everything is going according to plan. This also ensures that if there is a problem, it can be solved immediately with as much knowledge about the order as possible because Sherri is tracking the order from start to finish. To achieve this level of knowledge, Sherri also communicates with the suppliers to make sure they are up to date with the orders as well. She explains this part of the process by stating “We form relationships with our partners, we not only know what items they supply, but we know their processes and the different intricacies of their company. This allows us to help our clients make the right choice for whom they get their orders from. For example, we know which supplier is having staff issues and might be a delay, or which one doesn’t charge an extra fee for proof, or one ship from CA and one from FL and that might make a difference in lead times. Just little things that make a big difference in our client’s experience.” Just like Miranda and Isabel, Sherri emphasizes the importance of internal and external communication by stating “Communication is always the key to an order going smoothly. We each have a role and without communication, it would never come to fruition.” Sherri’s in-depth knowledge of each order and making sure everything is processed correctly stresses the point that Promotional Partners goes above a “one-click” shop and cares about each order that is placed through the company.

Written by Emily Freed Still focusing on the design team at Promotional Partners, this blog will focus on Isabel and how she contributes to the Promotional Partners company through the design process. Isabel has a bachelor's degree in graphic design from NC State University and has also completed internships before coming to work at Promotional Partners. Isabel uses this educational background in her work today by staying “familiar with current design trends but also knowing what will work best for a client and their needs. Finding a balance between the two is not always easy but is always rewarding when as a team we help make something our client is truly happy with.” When discussing the design process Isabel states “Most designs can be done anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, however some projects that require more collaboration, like making new logos, can take longer.” She continues by highlighting how important the collaboration aspect of the design process is by stating “Good collaboration and communication is paramount. Being able to communicate with a client about their needs and working with the team about what will work best is necessary for effective designs and products.” As an artist Isabel is used to collaborating with people in order to reach the final product, which includes receiving feedback from clients and internally. When asked about how the final product is impacted by the art and design process, Isabel expresses “I always enjoy when a client is excited about a project, and they often get excited when we are able to bring their vision to life. The art isn’t always the most important, but it does make an impact.” She continues by stating “Context is everything for a design, and what works for one person doesn’t always for another. I get to see a lot of creative solutions and ideas but they are all based on that client’s unique needs.” Take a look at this children's book Isabel designed for the Apex PD: Finally, Isabel explains how the design process doesn’t stop at collaborating with clients or with internal collaboration but also in the proofing process. This step is crucial in making sure the order and design are exactly how the client wants. Isabel explains this by saying “When we get a proof from one of our partners for an order, it is one of the final checkpoints to make sure everything is as it needs to be. We check the art they give us to what we have on our end for any typos or art errors, and will also let the client give the final check of approval before an order goes into production.” The design process at Promotional Partners is essential for the success of the final products. This includes collaborating with the clients, collaborating internally, and making sure the distributors have what they need.

Written by Emily Freed Now that I have explored and looked into each stage of the ordering process, there is the matter of the daily operations that keep Promotional Partners running smoothly. Keith is the co-owner of Promotional Partners and the husband of Olivia. He is also responsible for, in his words, the “way behind the scenes operations.” In general, he operates as a financial manager in regards to reaching out to suppliers, payroll, and managing safety operations. All of these tasks are of the utmost importance in order to keep the ordering, design, and tracking process working well. The first area of his role that Keith showed me was how he manages the incomes of Promotional Partners and how he makes sure that the amount is distributed to the proper places at the proper times. He explains “I work closely with Sherri as she manages each order after it has been placed and I look to see how much we have coming in, so I can figure out where we need to spend.” Taking care of the payments made to the suppliers allows the designers and Olivia to easily place orders that best suit the client's purpose without having to worry about financial ties with that supplier. Keith is also in charge of the safety operations at Promotional Partners. He explained to me that all of the products that are ordered through Promotional Partners follow the most recent laws that involve quality control and safety. This ensures that no matter what item the client is receiving, the product has passed inspection and is deemed safe to perform the purposes of that product. Again, this allows the ordering process to be worry-free for the clients and internally because none of the parties have to worry about the safety of the product. Keith goes on to explain that his background in the environmental engineering field allows him a deeper understanding of the regulations on each product. This background also allows for the creativity of the company to be sustained and supported. Keith’s prior experience permits him to have a focused viewpoint on how the “behind-the-scenes” operations should be organized. Similarly to the previous blog posts, Keith also emphasizes the importance of internal communication. He explains that by communicating with the team on projects, even though is he not directly involved, he has a better understanding of how to support the “front house” operations. Without this communication, he would not be able to know how to appropriately make payments and financially support the creative process. Looking behind the scenes at Promotional Partners has offered insight into how complex and unique the process of the company is. By offering a personal approach to ordering promotional products that spread the message of the client's business in whatever setting they need, Promotional Partners exceeds a “one click and order” business. This process is in-depth and travels through many different people in order to get the best results for the clients and even though it is complex, Promotional Partners makes it a “piece of cake” for everyone involved.

Written by Emily Freed In continuation with my last blog post about the initial meetings at Promotional Partners, I want to show you how the process proceeds internally through the design department. At Promotional Partners there are two highly skilled, talented graphic designers, Isabel and Miranda. They contribute immensely to the success of each order by helping with the designs and logistics of each request. Each of them brings their own unique perspective to the design process and it is important to show each position. Miranda has been with the business for fifteen years and her expertise in this market makes her a wonderful resource for designing and other parts of the process. Similarly to Isabel, Miranda highlights the importance of collaboration and how much consideration the client's vision plays in the design process. According to Miranda, “Collaboration plays a role in a lot of ways. Collaboration with the client is obviously important, they are the ones you want to be the most happy with the outcome. But collaboration from within the team too! Again, different things inspire different people and everybody has a different way of looking at things so talking and brainstorming as a group can create some really great outcomes – some that I likely didn’t even think of.” The consideration of different types of collaboration efforts and how each of them can impact the design process allows Miranda to come up with the best outcome. Internally, Miranda uses her resources of the other creative minds such as Olivia and Isabel, to think of creative solutions that are practical and still artistic. As Miranda stated, the importance of the client's input is a top priority so being able to collaborate with them makes the design process a lot smoother. Miranda continues this sentiment by stating, “I always like to take into account the client's requests and preferences. Sometimes those are exactly what I envision, sometimes they are not. So I always like to give clients the best of both – something they articulated they would like and then some options that they maybe didn’t think about.” Having a creative-minded person who values your vision but also gives you more than what you might have imagined is an aspect of Promotional Partners that is unique and valuable. When discussing the art of the design process Miranda weighed in on some of the past projects that have been challenging and creative. “[A previous project] dealt heavily with photos (not just vector art) and I was not very skilled in that at the time which made the project a bit more challenging. [The] most creative project that I enjoyed might be some shirts we did for Cross Country years ago – they wanted a retro design and I LOVE retro but I also like designing t-shirts.” In continuation with how important this part of the process is, Miranda emphasizes “The art going on the product can have a HUGE impact on the final product. Cool art makes a much cooler product! I like to think clients notice our efforts to guide them in the design and product selection process.” A creative design could make or break a final product, which is why our team uses many different sources of inspiration to come to the final product. In Miranda’s case, she says her brain “analyzes fonts, colors, logos pretty much 24/7." She continues by stating, "might drive my husband a little nuts because he really doesn’t care that I think so and so should have used a more creative font instead of Ariel. But all that analyzing I think makes you a better designer when you do get the time to really be creative! You feel so inspired by the everyday things you see.” The design process can be different for every artist, as seen through our two graphic designers at Promotional Partners. However, this process always requires creativity, collaboration, and insight into the market. The expert designers at Promotional Partners provide a personal touch to every design through their own unique experiences and conversations with clients. This sets the designs apart to the next level and ensures that the final product elevates your brand's message through the visual images.

Written by Emily Freed Over the summer I observed the Promotional Partner’s team from an outsider's perspective with the primary focus being on their marketing strategies, communication strategies, and creative solutions. As I have continued my time at the company, I have been able to observe more thoroughly the day-to-day processes that occur. This ranges from the initial contact of clients to creating the art, to ensuring the order is processed correctly. Since this is not a one-click business, I thought it would be insightful to share a behind-the-scenes look into how orders are actually created and received. I will be following the whole process throughout this month and hopefully allow you to see how this process is made a “piece of cake” by the Promotional Partners team. This will also let you get to know the team members who make it all possible. One of the major themes I would like to highlight is how Promotional Partners utilizes the personal connections made from each client meeting to enhance the results and process of making an order. The owner and main point of contact at first, Olivia Scott, uses her knowledge, creativity, and expertise to guide her company's collaborative process so their client's needs are fulfilled. According to Olivia, “Our best collaborations & outcomes start with a conversation. The time spent one-on-one in our showroom space & design studio helps to identify the best course for designing a client campaign. Access to products & talented team is an essential step. 2020 helped us all realize that virtual meetings are a critical step when the distance between us is too great to travel or a larger team of individuals needs to coordinate schedules to meet. We even chat on the phone. Instead of using valuable time going down a rabbit- hole of product choices- putting trust in our team to suggest the best product options for your project is an important part of our process. We do the heavy lifting, creating more time for our clients to focus their time on other tasks." One-on-one consultation truly distinguishes Promotional Partners from other companies. Their agency approach provides more than products- there are marketing concepts, plans, and graphic design that are layered into your campaign objectives & goals. Through personal connection, relationships form which allows the team to creatively capture the essence of your message and your brand through tangible products. “Over the years our tagline has evolved. Initially, it was creating impressions one brand at a time, which focused more on the imprint representing one's brand; a caretaker of your brand management as a partner to our current tagline of visionary assurance, and united purpose, which captures our partnership value. The secret behind our growth is an ability to connect to your message & your core values. Layering in our marketing & graphic expertise, along with industry certification, longevity & knowledge creates an environment where our client collaborations generate purposeful outcomes." Collaboration doesn't stop with brainstorming or end once an order is placed, the team is constantly working together and discussing every aspect of your project from concept to delivery. In this world filled with materialistic items at your disposal and where ordering items is as easy as clicking a button, having the opportunity to sit down with someone who can physically show you the products is a huge advantage to spreading your brand’s message. Instead of settling for the first product you see, Olivia and others on our team can provide you with the inside scoop, based on their collective certified knowledge base that goes beyond your expectations. See the difference for yourself by contacting Promotional Partners and coming to visit the showroom. Continue following our blog this week for more posts about our team members and a behind-the-scenes look at the entire process.