Codie Cartwright Co-Owner Secret Swig (VEP LLC) PPAI 902970, Standard-Base secret-swig.com How did your company get its start? Secret Swig started with a story my mom told me after attending a concert. She shared how my youngest sister had managed to sneak a traditional flask through security, and once inside, she realized a lot of people were doing the same thing – trying to discreetly bring their own drinks into events. When she told me about it, it sparked an idea. We’ve always been problem solvers, and there was a pretty obvious problem: Drinks at concerts, sporting events and festivals cost a fortune. People were clearly looking for ways around that, but traditional metal flasks are bulky, uncomfortable to conceal and not designed for situations like crowded venues or event security. We started thinking about how a flask could be redesigned to be more discreet, flexible and practical for real-world use. That idea eventually became Secret Swig, a patent-pending, metal-free, flexible flask designed to be easily concealed and comfortably carried. What started as a simple observation turned into a clever solution to a common problem, and ultimately a product designed with both consumers and brands in mind. What led your company to enter the branded merch market? From early on, we recognized that Secret Swig had strong potential beyond traditional retail. The product organically lends itself to branding: It’s functional, memorable and something people actually keep and reuse. With my background in the promotional industry, we immediately saw the opportunity to offer Secret Swig as a decorated item for brands. In this industry, the most successful products are those that provide real utility while creating repeated brand impressions, and Secret Swig fits perfectly into that space. It’s used at concerts, festivals, tailgates, hikes and situations where people are being social, and brands benefit from visibility. Because of that, entering the promotional products market felt like a natural extension of both the product and my experience in the industry. What’s your favorite thing about being in the branded merch industry? What I love most about the industry is how creative and strategic it is. Promotional products aren’t just giveaways. They’re tools that brands use to create meaningful connections with their audiences. The most successful products are the ones people actually want to keep and use. Because they become part of someone’s everyday life, they create lasting brand impressions in a way traditional advertising often can’t. I also really enjoy the collaborative nature of the industry. Distributors, suppliers and brands all work together to solve marketing challenges in creative ways, and being part of that process is incredibly rewarding. Why did you join PPAI? We joined the Promotional Products Association International because it represents the best of the promotional products industry. PPAI brings together distributors, suppliers and industry leaders who are focused on building strong partnerships and elevating the impact of branded merchandise. Being part of that network allows us to connect with experienced professionals, stay informed on industry trends and better support distributors looking for unique, retail-quality products for their clients. New Members | Community PPAI • MAY 2026 • 59 Upshift Promotions LLC PPAI 906619 Voice-Tribune PPAI 891511 Wasatch Threads PPAI 906591 White River Apparel Company LLC PPAI 900737 Whitestone PPAI 906590 Wild North PPAI 906530 Winter Print PPAI 906486 Y’s Marketing Inc. PPAI 906417 ZNB Enterprises LLC PPAI 906382 Suppliers AeroPress PPAI 901548 B Squared PPAI 755544 Dalstrong PPAI 802638 FZ Promos Inc. PPAI 906610 Loop Method PPAI 906686 New Member Spotlight
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