PPB January 2021

“I’m very involved in the community,” says Moisant. “Fortunately, I have a very good memory and when I meet somebody, I will ask them, ‘What keeps you busy?’ That tells me that they can talk about something they like and they enjoy. When I’m out with my nonprofits, they will have a need and I, fortunately, have this wealth of knowledge in my head where I can figure out who can help.” Moisant’s knack for connecting to people and helping people connect to each other, coupled with her high-energy spirit—she is also a former high school cheerleader—is something that fuels her passion for the promotional products industry, and has led to a 30-plus-year career. Moisant and her late husband Bill Moisant opened their distributorship in 1990 and built it entirely on word-of-mouth advertising, she says, growing it to a $2.5 million business with 10 employees and thousands of clients. Now run by their daughters, Christi Moisant and Shelly Rainwater, she continues to sell for the business, and is always armed with a promotional product—usually a branded pen—in hand. “As long as I’m able to move around, I’m going to hand out promotional products,” she says. “If you meet me, you’re going to receive a promotional product, so you’re going to remember my name. There’s nothing I love more than sitting down with ‘Mr. Big,’ here in the big city, and he’ll look at me after a little while and say, ‘Do we do business with you?’ and I say, ‘No, but you should.’” Moisant’s involvement in the community spans several organizations and industry associations. She has supported PPAI in many capacities, which includes serving on the Promotional Products Education Foundation Board from 2004-2007 and on the PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference Committee from 2004-2010, where she helped to develop the event, in addition to serving on various councils and taskforces. In 2016, Moisant was named a PPB Best Boss and is the recipient of the 2016 PPAI Distinguished Service Award and the 2017 PPAI Woman of Achievement Award. She’s also served in various capacities for Promotional Products Association Southwest, including as a board member and board secretary, and has been a mentor to many in the industry. During industry trade shows, Moisant says she’s known to many as “Mom.” Moisant has also served as a PPAI ambassador since the mid ’90s, speaking to college students, chambers of commerce and other groups, including the University of Oklahoma, Price Business College, Oklahoma Baptist University and South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, on the ins and outs and importance of promotional Teresa Moisant, MAS, (center) owner of Moisant Promotional Products, is joined in the business by her daughters, Christi Moisant (left) and Shelly Rainwater. “Teresa lives her life as an example to all of us. Her passion to mentor women in our industry is as heartwarming as it is impactful." —Paul Lage, MAS, IMAGEN Brands Mason, Ohio FEATURE | PPAI Hall Of Fame:Teresa Moisant, MAS 28 | JANUARY 2021 |