PPB April 2021

The Sign Studio PPAI 759893 ThemeWork, Inc. PPAI 109190 TNT Top Notch Tees PPAI 587862 Ullrich Print Plus Powered By Proforma PPAI 793335 Vida Prints & Gifts PPAI 747801 Vincent Branding, LLC PPAI 485578 Virtual One Branding PPAI 793323 Western Corporate Solutions PPAI 769238 Suppliers Altitude Promos PPAI 793130 ForestNation PPAI 793582 Merchfuel PPAI 793167 Royce Leather/Emporium Leather Co. Inc. PPAI 111905 needed a higher-end option. I went to another supplier that produced a good bit of my leather merchandise. They agreed to make a version in genuine leather, and it is simply amazing. Our designs have continued to develop and we have a very nice lineup. Everything is custom-made with a 30-day turn around. What led your company to enter the promotional products market? When I started a distributorship 20 years ago, I was living in Houston, Texas, with a client base of predominantly oil and gas companies, a large public school district and the largest ladies’ organization in the U.S. That national ladies’ organization came to me to build many custom pieces. It was working with them for years that I became confident in my ability to build almost anything. “Build it and they will come,” isn’t that how the movie goes? The promotional advertising industry is filled with so many great people and products, and I feel like they are always on the lookout for a new concept. This move seems like a natural to me—all those super skilled and connected sales folks who are just begging to try something new. What’s your favorite thing about being in the promotional products industry? We are just launching theBAR2GO this year to this industry. Last year was meant to be the start of our supplier relationship, but we all know what happened there. Like all the rest of the talent out there, I love branding quality merchandise for my clients. I am always on the lookout for great new products and I think this is the best industry to work with. As a group, we love made- in-the-USA merchandise, perhaps now more than ever. Our product is made in the U.S., decorated in the U.S. and we use a recycled foam made in the U.S. TheBAR2GO is a product that appeals across the board, to ladies and men, as long as the recipient is over 21 years of age and there are no geographical restraints. It is fundamentally impossible for me to represent theBAR2GO to all the potential clients I can envision. With that said, I consider every single distributor a potential sales rep for theBAR2GO, and I am thrilled with the prospect of working with every member. Why did you join PPAI? Way back when, I was a member of another organization and then I heard about PPAI. When it came time to enter the supplier world, this seemed to be a good fit. The staff in the office were always available, and I had lots of questions; the encouragement was fantastic. I get the feeling that working as a new supplier with PPAI will be a very positive experience; one I am truly looking forward to. I am a bit daunted by the lack of in-person trade shows, but we will all move forward the best we can and I know that PPAI has my back. It seems PPAI wants me to succeed as much as I do. | APRIL 2021 | 87 CONNECT