What embodies the characteristics of brave and fearless? According to Pantone- it's pinkish, redish color which is officially Viva Magenta (PANTONE 18-1750 and Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year. Pantone goes on to describe the color as a new animated red “expressive of a new signal of strength” as a growing digital world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman is quoted as saying in the release, “In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real.” Eiseman and VP Laurie Pressman describe the color as: "Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known." “Rooted in the primordial, Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature." "Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.” Symbolizing “the global innovation and transformation taking place.” “Sends a message of vibrant positivity” “Highlights our change of perspective” “We do feel this animated crimson red tone is reflective of this unique cultural moment.” “We are living in an unconventional time, time where we need to follow bravely and boldly, create a new vision and write a new narrative for ourselves.” Additionally this year, Pantone has released a series of complementary colors it calls "the Magentaverse." What is your opinion on this bold new choice?

“Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time.” Alan Collins Today, Wake County Public School's Career Academies, hosted an Internship Summit, with juniors from across the entire academy system. Business partners and former academy students, now in the workforce, came together today to help diminish fears, provide guidance and tips to prepare juniors secure an internship. The event provided 4- 40 minute sessions covering, workplace ethics, making an impression, getting connected and ask the experts. The insights and candid conversations among panelists & later in round table discussions yielded some valuable tips. Such as? It's never too soon to start building your network. Start simple. Establish your LinkedIn profile. Connect with friends, teachers and family. Ask those connections to make connections for you through digital introductions and in person. Connect to individuals in company's or industries that align with your interests. Start building a character profile through recommendations. Your friends, teachers, coaches, family and part-time employers can speak to your skill sets; making you stand out to potential employers. Are you introverted & terrified of interviewing? You are not alone. Introverts on the panel suggested practice. Ask questions & make conversation with family friends, coaches & teachers. To help you build your confidence, consider practicing through mock interviews within your new found network! Gain confidence, secure feedback and learn different styles of interviewers using this process. Clean up your social media- don't post what you wouldn't want plaster on a billboard with your face. Be bold! The answer is always no if you don't ask. If you want to work at a company, consider sending your resume and cover letter through email to a key decision maker or reach out on LinkedIn to inquire if they are hiring. Sometimes landing an internship is timing & luck. Busy people are, well busy. Your email, letter or LinkedIn message might get buried instead of opened. Be persistent and follow up. Keep in mind a company might not be hiring right now- the timing may be off. People want to help. If you are not a fit or they don't have an opening, they may have a suggestion for a different place to apply or be willing to make a connection for you. Try not to take rejection personally. Rarely does an internship land in your lap. Rejection is normal. Consider it practice for the right opportunity. Realize securing an internship is a bit like dating. It's finding the right fit by the hosting company and the intern. Do you want to spend 8 hours with that employer, doing that type of work? Conversely, the employer is asking questions to determine if you are the best fit for their team too! Be observant. What's the environment like? The way employees dress or the interaction among their team will be clue's to the work environment. Spoiler alert, if it's an open format, your soft skills may be tested daily. How can you set yourself apart? The you beyond your resume. Don't underestimate the power of the cover letter. Who are you? When asked- tell us about yourself, provide answers that help form connections. Do you have pets or love fishing at the beach, collecting baseball cards or even making cookies? You are likely to make a connection. An interviewer might respond, I love to fish too, what have you caught? I love cookies too- what's your favorite? Mine is Oatmeal Raisin. ( Don't hate ) Connecting on common ground puts everyone at ease. Another approach might be to ask an interviewer what they like about their job or why they went into that industry. Sometimes removing the jitters is as simple as saying- I'm nervous! This is my first real interview. They already know you are a student. It's an internship, not the rest of your life! Extract the value. Did you learn you like a small setting over a large company? Do you want more or less structure? Are you comfortable at a computer station all day? Do you thrive when you can collaborate on a project? Basically the theme of the day was don't be intimidated to establish a network. Get out of your comfort zone and get started today! Besides, your never too old or too experienced to make new connections. Events like today refresh our way of thinking and approaching shared challenges and provide opportunities to form connections.

In 2021 North Carolina has more than 964,000 small businesses, which accounts for over 99 percent of businesses & employ 1.7 million people. November is associated with gratitude. We’d like to thank each of you for supporting us. Your referrals & relationship kept us going in 2020 & sustain our continued growth. Together we are able to employ a talented team, doing what we love, fueling our passion and give back to the community. Supporting education means investing in the future. Knowledge empowers, opens doors and leads to innovative ideas. On Small Business Saturday our doors will be open to feature partners making a difference for education. Meet our friends at ASPF - Apex Public School Foundation to learn how you can support local Apex schools. Help us raise money for our 2022 Cares Program for Wake Tech Foundation Learn about 4 of our partners making a difference for education through their brand power. Score some discounts, perks, free promotional items & make some new friends 1. This partner has cutting-edge products that also donate back a minimum of $10,000 worth products for education purposes each year. The Kids In Need Foundation makes sure the school supplies are donated to teachers & students affected by natural disasters or fighting poverty. Trusted by major brands. 2. This partner pairs up artists & businesses to create incredible custom notebooks & journals, demonstrating artists can solve challenges, creatively. Quick turn- 2 weeks, only 50 unit minimums. Sustainability is also a key factor in the print process & construction of their journals, with 75% recycled content, FSC certified papers & the paper and ink is 100% recyclable. Plus USA Made! The innovation continues by building schools in Mali, Guatemala, Laos, Ghana, Nicaragua, and the U.S through profits from your partnership. 3. This partner has donated over 7 million products with their One for One program. Every time you purchase 1 of 22 items in their Give Back Program, that same item is donated to NAEIR providing students access to basic school supplies. Low cost advertising that also helps students- a no brainer. 4. This partner utilizes 4 major brands of tee shirts & sweatshirts to earn a cash rebate for a school of your choice! The Hanes4Education® program only applies to Hanes®, Champion®, Alternative® and ComfortWash® shirts purchased in bulk for embellishment from wholesalers. Products purchased at retail stores do not qualify. What types of products from these 4 brands? Printed T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and shorts. Using Hanes4Education, schools can earn $0.10 for every eligible piece of apparel ordered from wholesalers for embellishment. For example, if you order 2,000 T-shirts, your designated school will receive a rebate check for $200.00. A maximum of $1,000 (10,000 pieces of apparel) can be earned per rebate request, and a single school may earn a maximum of $5,000 from the Hanes4Education® program per calendar year. Rebate requests in excess of this maximum will not carry over to the following calendar year. Learn more about our pop up event this Saturday here. Besides your discount, purchasing products from any of these 4 partners before Dec 30, 2022 means we will make a $15 donation to Apex Public School Foundation. Shop. Dine. Learn. Small Business Saturday

After a long hot summer, inviting nights by a fire, outdoor activities & local festivals are perfect for these cozy products. Cozy products provide a sense of comfort- like a gift from the heart. The unboxing experience, enhanced by 2020, makes a cohesive presentation to a recipient exciting & left feeling appreciated. Employee programs, key accounts, turn-key gifts, and fundraising can all be accomplished with this type of boxed kit. Fulfillment made easy- click here to download the presentation.

It's not necessarily be loud to be strong or command attention. In fact, a whisper generates interest. We crave the secret message. Today is National Entrepreneur Day and every entrepreneur wants to make sure their voice is heard; craved. Your voice is your brand identity at work. Your brand guide serves as the rules- the gatekeeper for color, font, placement on promotional materials. Your style is the look & feel of your brand; your identity. Being recognized means your voice is credible & reliable to your message; identifiable. Here are some examples: Patagonia - We’re in business to save our home planet Honest Tea - To create & promote great-tasting, healthy, organic beverages Think of your brand identity this way: your logo is the recognized face of your brand, grabbing attention just like your smile. The engagement created by that introduction creates a network of consumers interested products & services you have to offer that hopefully become fans! Your print materials are visual communications. Your business cards, brochures, business forms, checks and stationary are a first impression to your businesses, as well as your location. What you choose to put on your windows & walls or display are all part of the foundation of your brand message. Unique, memorable and cohesive graphics, will evoke a stronger connection to your message. Creating visuals consumers crave. What can a designer do for your brand? Here's a brand launch case study around our partner The Chris Murray Team. Are you starting to figure our what secrets we've been keeping? Join us on Small Business Saturday & follow our socials this week, to get the scoop! How many new businesses were launched in NC during 2021? Read more here.

For those that serve in the military or for First Responders wearing & earning patches is part of their uniform and culture. When we saw these duffels & backpacks, we thought they were unique because you could quickly add or remove a patch. Shared gear, between shifts? Quickly change names for identification. During disaster relief, quickly anyone added to your team with instant identification Recognize an individual for their service or achievements with commemorative or certification patch. Honor an entire group with a special signature patch. Watch this quick video clip to see how simple it is to add or remove a patch. How do you think this type of bag could be best utilized?

What's the benefit of a sticky situation? In this case, a premium place locate your brand message that's accessible & convenient & valued by recipient's. When branding the size of the imprint area is important, because more content can be inserted without crowding the space. When are large imprint area also allows a "full bleed", then a graphic designer can play with a variety of visual messages in the same area. Besides, it's opportunity to be creative, with captivating graphics. What offers a huge imprint space, a full bleed & is considered an office essential? Sticky products!! Hang a treat at each cubical Kick off your sales year with prioritizes outlined Use an interactive sticky book at your sales conference Bundle kits to ship Create a seasonal message or inspire with a quote Get the lint off Map out the year Drop in a loyalty gift to the next order Create a call to action What's important? Sticking to your sales & marketing goals! Just another quirky enough to work idea, with a huge content area.

The Star Trek phrase- space, the final frontier creates both a call to action, as well as inspiring the imagination. Innovative marketing ideas don't have to be expensive. In fact, sometimes free ideas generate out of this world results. For example, did you know that NASA doesn't make money from the branded merchandise that other companies produce? The NASA logo brand is free; all a company must do is submit their designs to the space agency for approval to make sure they’re using the assets correctly. While revenue is not created from licensing their logo, that doesn’t mean their brand isn’t a shining star. Anytime you see a NASA shirt, pin, or mug, their mission message of space exploration is launches new views. How about this fun fact - Snoopy has 2.6 million Instagram followers, meaning there is an audience that cares about what’s next for Snoopy. What’s the takeaway for your brand? Branding & advertising go hand in hand. Generating interest & engagement requires thoughtful planning, an interesting story, and graphics that go above & beyond! Let's take your brand out of this world!

Knowing your magic hours and your clients- when will they respond, review, and communicate with you is a critical step for anyone in sales. What type of environment and schedule makes you productive- working remotely might be your chance to try new systems that don't impact co-workers. For example, I am productive on the weekends in the early am and pm because there are no other distractions. I also like lists and planners, to keep details organized. There are a lot of sales tools for management, but what works for you? Maybe you need to write things down to sort your thoughts or check-off lists to feel a sense of accomplishment; electronics are great but remember a notebook is really the same as a journal, but one costs a lot more yet can accomplish the same tasks! A notebook that caught our eye this past week were these notebooks. The mission of this partner is to fund education projects through art and creativity. Besides creativity- each purchase will helping fund education projects worldwide. The movement has successfully funded 5 schools as of 2018. If creativity is offered you know there are also multiple styles and designs of notebooks, many of which are designed by artists from around the world. Find a style that speaks to you and what will spark your creativity and productivity. Art can change the world. We couldn't agree more.

It’s that time of year again: gift season. Selecting a gift everyone will appreciate is tricky. Our advice? Focusing on products with practical everyday function is smart; and statistically speaking it means your gift will be appreciated, kept and used. Bluetooth® Speakers Listening to their favorite tunes or tuning into their favorite podcast – everybody can make use of a high-quality wireless speaker. Our Pick: High Sierra® Outdoor Speaker & Wireless Power Bank | 8053-07. The IPX7 waterproof rating, means this speaker can withstand a little rain or even an accidental dip in the pool. The 8,000 mAh battery provides eight hours of quality sound at max volume. Even better, it doubles as a wireless power bank can charge two devices at once, keeping you powered up all weekend. Let the adventures begin. Tote Bags From a day at the park to a weekend trip, tote bags are the best way to carry your supplies. A non-woven tote makes this gift affordable for larger distributions. The SM-7314 is a foil-lined interior, with a spacious zippered main compartment, comfy 24” double handles and an open front pocket for even more storage. It’s insulated, use it as a cooler for snacks, drinks and groceries! Blankets Waterproof styles for the outdoors, cozy fleece for the couch – blankets come in handy all year round. Our Pick: High Sierra® Oversize Picnic Blanket | 1080-37 This comfy 60” x 70” fleece blanket has a water-resistant ripstop lining, plus a carrying wrap and handle for portability. Insulated Drinkware At the office, around the campfire or on the go, versatility is what makes insulated drinkware a gift season MVP (Most Versatile Present). Hydro Flask®, it’s sure to make a big impression. Our Pick: Hydro Flask® Coffee Mug 12oz. | 1601-94 Mornings are always better with a fresh cup of joe in your favorite mug. On top of TempShield™ insulation to keep your coffee hot, this stylish, durable mug features a closeable lid that slides shut to prevent spills and leaks. Eco-Friendly Food Storage Packing lunch for work, storing leftovers from last night– there are plenty of occasions where food storage will come in handy. This product is made from sustainable materials, it becomes an eco-friendly gift you can feel good about giving. Our Pick: Ekobo Rectangular Bento Box | 1022-28 Goodbye plastic baggies, hello bamboo fiber! This roomy bento box features a removable divider so you can customize your bento to your lunch, not vice versa. Its top doubles as a plate, and it's all held together by a sturdy, black silicone band. Smart Notebooks When it comes to staying organized, there’s only one thing better than a notebook – a notebook that includes digital technology allowing you to store lists, ideas and notes in the cloud, so you’ll always be able to retrieve them. Our Pick: Rocketbook Letter Flip Notebook Set | 0911-18 The synthetic, white-lined paper lets you write smoothly with a Pilot Frixion pen, then conveniently wipes clean with a damp cloth. Just use the free Rocketbook app to back up your notes, then erase and reuse again and again! Water Bottles and Tumblers Drinking water throughout the day is good for your health. A stylish bottle from a popular retail brand is a great way to help people improve hydration habits. Whether you are working, hiking trail or running errands on the weekend, a water bottle will get plenty of use. Our Pick: Hydro Flask® Standard Mouth With Flex Cap 21oz | 1601-91 The perfect size for a backpack pocket or car cupholder, this bottle has an on-trend look and features TempShield™ insulation that prevents condensation and keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours, or hot for up to 12! Which makes gifts like these perfect for healthcare & first responders, who might need to leave their beverage to respond to others. Your Destination For Great Gifts Popular retail brands, budget-friendly gifts, holiday best-sellers and more – check out even more of our best ideas here!

What does Fido want for the holidays? Adventure! Consumers love Oprah's list of favorite things. This BindlePuppy Pack is on her list, and perfect for you & your 4 legged companions. What makes this bottle so special? Carry your phone Carry treats Carry water Comes with a dog bowl Comes with a shoulder strap It's ready for adventure. You might say it's as ruff as you & your companion need; ready for adventure. Love the concept but don't have a pet? No worries, check out these options. Can't get enough of Oprah's favorite things? Did you miss blog post about desserts, which included this delicious coffee cake?

We've been featuring brand names that deliver on quality & function. Run Walk Bike Hike We have solutions! Gifts that a recipient will keep and use are perfect for employee wellness goals or key business partners that would like more steps in their day. For fitness enthusiasts, we know you are going to sweat. How about a partnering product that makes your work out time more productive or helps you keep track of goals? No sweat with these popular brand names. Whether you'd like to make the perfect power blend or integrate technology into your fitness goals, these brand name products deliver results. Click on each brand to learn more about the features & benefits for your workout. HidrateSpark -learn more here. Performa PUL - #livehydrated Do you have a favorite workout bottle?