Choosing a trustworthy brand for your promotional needs is essential for leaving a powerful message in the minds of others. Out of the Woods® which specializes in reusable bags and insulated coolers that are made from Supernatural Paper understands the importance of a strong brand identity, as reflected in its values, timeless designs, and quality & function. A reputable brand like Out of the Woods, with its emphasis on quality and eco-friendliness, instills confidence in clients that the products align with their values and expectations. This is reflected in their core values: 1. Timeless Design: Modern twist to classic designs, accessible to everyone so you can have style and sustainability without any compromise. 2. Sustainable Innovation: Committed to using better materials to bring you high-quality, durable products that are innovative by nature. 3. Quality & Function: Designs that are built at the intersection of form & function, made to go wherever you go. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the brand Out of the Woods is the use of their Supernatural Paper®. Their Supernatural Paper® is sustainable, durable, washable, ultralight, and made from trees. Here are some great statistics about Supernatural Paper: 84% lighter carbon footprint compared to leather 100% animal-free, making it the perfect vegan leather-alternative 93% of the water used was returned to its original source, and only 7% is lost naturally to evaporation These products are designed to reduce the negative impact on the environment by developing lasting products made of better materials. Out of the Woods® proudly donates 1% of revenue to organizations that support the planet. Brands matter immensely in today's business world, and Out of the Woods exemplifies the significance of a strong brand identity. As a business seeking reliable products, choosing a brand like Out Of the Woods is a wise decision that ensures your clients receive products that not only reflect their values but also leave a lasting impact with your brand’s message in their minds. One of our favorite totes in the collection is this one. Our team loves to show off brands that uphold the values of your business so that your promotional products can represent you in the best way. Contact us or come visit our showroom for more brands that align with your vision!

1% For The Planet product purchases support organizations making a difference for global issues. We have numerous posts regarding ways these types of products are woven into your branding strategies. Here is a specific behind the scenes post about this partnership initiative. In fact, sustainable options are becoming more and more abundant in our industry. We have an entire category on our blog featuring products with sustainability in mind through the material construction of the product. Many of our largest brand partnerships- retail brands are leading these bold choices. Our brands matter category features the story behind these brand partnerships. Responsible Sourcing is also a hot topic. The blog features posts & stories for how those behind the scenes efforts are part of the choices our purpose driven partners are making when selecting & sourcing products. For sustainable choices made with recycled materials - our ProudPath collection is an excellent choice. Read those stories here. Additionally we have partnerships, such as these below, that give back to foundations and charitable organizations with broad reach for addressing issues such as climate change. When you are concerning your product selections, we can share many types of partnerships that give back. In fact we have an entire category on this blog dedicated to expanded stories about partners that choose to give partners making a difference for others. Plus, businesses that craft products from diversity owners. You know we love featuring other woman-owned brands in our collection. Make sure to ask us to share all the ways we can align your brand with your values when crafting your next marketing campaign. Use your local advantage and collaborate with our team in our showroom & graphic studio.

Reliable Speed - it's a desirable feature in our digital world. We've been telling you about the Popl brand for a while as a trending brand for easy lead generation and sharing information. We've introduced a new option in this Brands Matter series of posts. The Popl Digital PhoneCard™ is a digital business card on the back of your phone. Simply tap your PhoneCard™ to the back of any compatible phone, or use the unique QR code to instantly share your contact info, social media, payment apps and more. A Popl is not required to receive your info! Popl PhoneCard™ features the industry-leading X1 chip, offering a fast, reliable sharing experience. The PhoneCard™ shares 3X faster than the original Popl Dot. This product is compatible with both Android and Apple devices. Are you interested in using this type of technology?

Now that sounds pretty quirky! Keep reading for this crowning jewel of a story that offers the warmth & friendliness associated with the pineapple to the comfort of recording our thoughts; while being a good friend to the planet. This 5.5" x 8.5" pineapple leather JournalBook , one of our favorite NC partners, is uniquely crafted with 30% repurposed pineapple components. It features a hard cover, color-matching elastic closure, pen loop and ribbon page marker. 80 sheets of FSC®-certified paper. Back document pocket. Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of sales of all EcoSmart® products will be donated to environmental nonprofits. Sometimes quirky ideas are the right touch of innovation to solve challenges such as reducing waste & recycling for the environment, plus offer a quality solution to our desire to capture our thoughts & impressions on paper. This product demonstrates innovative thinking put to good use!

Can you write upside down? Yes- you can! Plus some other amazing ways to features to the performance of this pen. This American-Made, all weather pen that writes through moisture without smearing or washing off. From outdoor enthusiasts to law enforcement - it’s a great gift for any industry where staying dry isn’t an option. The 0913-05 Rite in the Rain All Weather Metal Clicker Pen, offers all-weather reliability, plus permanent ink writes through water, sweat, grease, and mud without clumping or smearing. You are going to want to pair it with other products from Rite in the Rain. After-all, it's pretty cool when you can defy Mother Nature. Read more about the paper products from this same brand here. Writes Upside Down? Yes, the pressurized ink cartridge performs in temperatures from -30F to 250F, under water (down to 35 ft), and at any angle! Now that is some talent! Plus- The Ink Won’t Skip Proprietary ink and delivery system used exclusively in Rite in the Rain Pens will write without skipping in extremely wet conditions. We think that makes this pen a perfect addition to our Quirky Enough to Work Series & Brands Matter Series, plus something you'll want to checkout for yourself! We can't wait to try it out! Stop by on a rainy day- we will check these products out together!

It's the weekend, which means dog parks and nature trails! Chances are you may encounter someone that likes to FROLF! What the heck? FROLF is the slang term for disc golf, used to describe disc golf, usually by non-disc golfers because this popular activity combines both 'Frisbee' and 'Golf'. Around the triangle it's easy to find disc golf courses. This activity is a popular way to spend some time with friends and family. What is disc golf? Read more on the association website here. How can your brand become part of the fun? Offer your employees or key business partners a set for year round fun. Summer through winter, this is a game that's easy to play in our milder climate. The 3-Piece Disc Golf Set is perfect for beginners and intermediate disc golfers. Set includes a short-range disc, mid-range disc, and driver disc. The set includes an eco-friendly bag with adjustable straps for easy carrying on the course that also another option in our ProudPath Collection of products giving back to 1% For The Planet. Besides, this is yet another quirky enough to work product we offer. We want to know, do you play?

Now that we are traveling again- this product is going to be a game changer for many! We've all experienced having juggle your drink, your technology and other personal items that you'll be using before your flight. You want your go to travel companions close at hand. Despite the ease of those wheels gliding your luggage down the hallways- you're stuck trying to balance plenty of accessories along your path. No more! This device fits right on top of your luggage and then is stowed away when its flight time! You might recall our Rollink feature earlier this year; luggage the collapses & expands for efficiency and reducing bulk in your travels. We love innovative products, it's a reflection of creative thinking; which is one of our core values! In fact it's another product in our quirky enough to work series.

In the heat of summer with long, hot days, we look for anything to cool us down. Luckily, we have the perfect solution for you and your brand through the reliable brand of Igloo. In the vast landscape of products, this brand stands tall, embodying the essence of reliability and innovation. With its remarkable success in crafting high-quality, insulated coolers, the Igloo brand has not only conquered the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts but has also earned its place as an exceptional choice for promotional items. Did you know that one out of every three households in the USA has an Igloo in their garage? - you might be that household! For over 70 years, Igloo has remained the #1 brand in the coolers industry worldwide. Since 1947, the Igloo brand has been synonymous with quality and durability. Associating your brand with the rugged reliability of Igloo coolers sends a powerful message about your commitment to delivering quality. Igloo coolers are not just containers for keeping beverages cold; they have evolved into versatile companions for various activities. From tailgate parties and camping trips to corporate events and sports tournaments, Igloo coolers provide immense utility. When used as promotional items, you can easily customize these coolers to showcase your logo, making them a highly effective marketing tool. The more customers use these coolers in their daily lives, the more exposure your brand receives, reinforcing your brand's presence and increasing brand recall. Igloo offers a wide range of stylish and eye-catching cooler designs that cater to various tastes. With the help of our innovative design team, you can creatively incorporate your branding elements into these coolers, making them highly appealing as promotional merchandise. Whether it's a simple logo or a full-fledged custom design, Igloo's products offer ample space for customization, providing you with the flexibility to express your brand’s unique identity. Behind the Igloo brand lies a narrative of adventure, exploration, and shared experiences. Our team can help you foster this narrative with your own brand through our creative designs and ideas. To see more from the Igloo brand, check out our website, here and come into our showroom for a local advantage experience of seeing the coolers for yourself.

House plants are proven to relieve stress and improve mental well-being and as a result, increase productivity. For this reason, plants have become the new critical home essential. With each one you bring into your house, you further perforate the barrier between indoors and out, between nature and nurture. Modern Sprout is a brand that supports the idea that through plants, moods are boosted, air is purified, bodies are nourished and homes can be a calming oasis in a busy world. They believe that when you tend to a plant, you tend to yourself. Modern Sprout started with the idea to bring locally grown, fresh food to the table even when living in an urban environment. Determined to find a solution, Modern Sprout turned to their windowsills. Through their innovative designs and scientifically proven methods, Modern Sprout was able to bring the best of both worlds to everybody living an urban lifestyle that has a taste for flourishing plants. As a promotional item, these products allow recipients to nurture plants, cultivate green spaces, and experience the joys of gardening. Such thoughtful gifts leave a lasting impression, strengthening the bond between your brand and your target audience. Modern Sprout products also provide a versatile canvas for branding. Customization options, such as logo engraving on planter pots or branded seed packets, enable seamless integration of your company's identity with the gift. Take a look at this Smart Growhouse: A watertight planter allows for easy planting, watering, and harvesting. Stylish and multi-functional, the Smart Growhouse is perfect for an endless variety of kitchen herbs and leafy greens (including basil, mint, rosemary, parsley, arugula, watercress, and many more) plus cacti, succulents, and houseplants. Modern Sprout also offers grow kits, grow lights, and home decor. Incorporating Modern Sprout as a promotional item is a fresh and effective approach to connecting with your audience on a deeper level. Its commitment to sustainability, practicality, and connection to health and wellness makes it an ideal choice to represent your brand's values. By offering Modern Sprout products, your brand can cultivate a long-lasting relationship with customers and employees alike, while reinforcing its positive impact on the environment and society as a whole.

When that's your slogan- you'd better be able to back it up. Like what we did there, back it up? Life keeps us busy and technology is a daily part of living our lives- anywhere, anytime, we expect "back up" when we need it. We want things down quickly! We want quality! We want flexibility, living life where we want to be! Anker® is the global leader in charging technology pioneering Power Delivery technology to charge phones, tablets and laptops at unprecedented speeds. They are also innovators of smart tech devices for entertainment & travel using experience and listener analysis to create products that revolutionize expectations for audio quality. This video captures the ease of using their products. Explore the Anker line here. Visit Anker's website to learn more about their sustainability efforts.

As the Apex community is an ever-changing landscape of development, the education of the students in this community must keep up with this progression. An impactful foundation that has been chosen to support students and teachers in this endeavor is the Apex Public School Foundation. The Apex Public School Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, volunteer organization whose mission is to maintain a fund to enhance the educational experience for students at Apex-area schools within the Wake County school district. Who Do They Serve & How? The Apex Public School Foundation serves all Wake County Public Schools with an Apex, NC mailing address. This includes 3 high schools, 5 middle schools, and 11 elementary schools by providing funding beyond traditional sources. At the heart of Apex Public School Foundation's success lies a set of core values that guide its every endeavor. Creativity, innovation, and collaboration are the three main goals of the Apex Public School Foundation, as they venture to instill these values into each student at Apex Public School. APSF activities are made possible through generous contributions and donations from local residents, businesses, organizations, and corporations. What Is Their Impact? Their community commitment to education also positively impacts the quality of life for both residents and businesses in the area. To strengthen that commitment, the APSF provides funding beyond traditional sources. Take a look at some of their programs that have great impacts on our local schools: Educator Discount Program: For eligible employees the Apex Public School Foundation provides discounts or upgrades to services or goods at participating local businesses. Health & Wellness Program: The APSF hosts free health and wellness-oriented webinars featuring local and regional experts in the areas of student organization and motivation, stress and anxiety, and self-harm. School Staff Recognition: The APSF loves to highlight the fantastic efforts that educators and school staff members make on a daily basis so they developed two programs to showcase these efforts, Shoutouts and the S.T.A.R. Award in partnership with the Town of Apex. What Is Our Connection? We wanted to discuss the importance of the Apex Public School Foundation, during our recognition of the Town of Apex’s 150-year anniversary. This critical foundation is supported by many people and businesses residing in Apex and even the Town of Apex itself. Without the APSF our students and teachers would not be able to have these incredible resources as discussed above. From the moment APSF was a dream and started to take shape around the vision we'd been a supporter! Olivia's association with fundraising as a partner or securing resources as a teacher knows first hand how much their recognition, education and grants have been a huge asset for the local community. Apex Public School Foundation's dedication to nurturing young minds and shaping future leaders has been unwavering since its inception. Its legacy serves as an inspiration for other educational institutions, proving that with vision and determination, we can build a brighter future through education. For more ways to help the APSF and their efforts, volunteer, donate or learn more information, here. Did you miss our last Apex story? It was also about growth, only about plants!

This has been a challenging and stressful year for business. We too worry about the future but we can't stick our head in the sand either. If there is a way we can help our community rebound, it's to keep the ideas and energy flowing- those are a FREE way to give back! As soon as the shelter in place order went into place, we decided we could use some goodwill, so we used a social media poll to gather input for a shop a local program. When folks could start moving about the area again, we left FREE shop local tags outside our door in the downtown area, encouraging by-passers to pick up one and share stories of ways they were supporting local. Innovation always brings new opportunities and serving on non-profit boards & committees makes a difference for those that support us. What have we been doing with our time since March? Volunteering with the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce board of directors to develop our 2021 work-plan & board transition Working with Apex Rotarians to design a new way to celebrate the holidays this year! (It's still top secret, but keep following our social media for the exciting details) Discussing Apex PeakFest ideas for 2021 Sharing expertise to pay it forward to other distributors by contributing to best practices story in Advantages Magazine, an ASI publication. Sharing how to grow your brand to new heights, with local businesses. How have we financially made an impact? By supporting: Safe Kids through or year-long give back program & Popsicle contest Poe Learning Center's virtual meeting regarding Human Trafficking (Sept 29th post) The Apex Public School Foundation's efforts to raise awareness & generate income for the foundation The annual Fire Safety Council coloring book- did you know it was National Fire Safety Month? Learn more about fire safety here. The annual We Build People Campaign for Kraft Family YMCA The Apex Chamber of Commerce Peak Performer Breakfast for our First Responder's & annual Savor Apex Celebration for the members. There are many groups we have supported for years. Even in challenging times, a little goes a long way!