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DAY IN THE LIFE
Full-Service Success
BY JEN ALEXANDER
and I’d be hard-pressed to let it go. I’m a
self-proclaimed deal junkie,” he says.
Felsenthal acknowledges that less
appealing aspects of running a business
are just as crucial to its success, though
they are no less of a challenge. “I recog-
nize the composition of employees, at a
company, is always in flux. I’ve always
been able to be decisive when needing
to let someone go, but the weight each
time is a burdensome one,” he says.
At home, Felsenthal spends time
with his wife, Erica, and their two
daughters; four-year-old Violet and
two-year-old Zoey. “What I like to do
these days, when not working, is really
just about anything my little ones
would like to do. It’s so fun to watch
them explore and experience aspects of
life for the first time. We strive to make
ROM FOLDING T-SHIRTS
to forging relationships
with clients in myriad fields, Leland Felsenthal has
seen the promotional products business from nearly
every angle.
“My grassroots entry into this industry was working at a silk-screen shop in high
school,” says Felsenthal, where he quality-checked t-shirts, folded and boxed them for
pick-up. “My formal entry into this industry—and true schooling—came from Wood
Associates in 1998. At the time, they were truly one of the most dynamic companies
in the business.”
At age 24, he founded Los Angeles, California-based Public Identity (UPIC:
Publi859), and today the distributor aims to function as a full-service company with a
concerted effort to be seen as best-in-class among clients and peers alike. “As we work
with so many different industries, I really enjoy the small glimpses we are afforded
into the inner workings of how various companies go to market,” says Felsenthal.
“This direction is necessitated by our diverse clientele. As we push forward we
are mindful to operate with a client-centric approach, and to be attentive to all facets
that yield an optimum level of customer service.”
Felsenthal ensures this approach by wearing many hats, handling daily sales,
managing the sales team, recruiting new staff and overseeing operations; sales
remains his first love. “From day one, being in sales has always been my primary role
F
JANUARY 2015 •
PPB
• 89
CONNECT
ABOVE
Leland Felsenthal is always connected as
founder of distributor Public Identity.
LEFT
Felsenthal enjoys time with his wife, Erica, and
daughters Violet and Zoey.