Directing Happiness in the Workplace… What happens when you hire a “Director of Happiness” to build an even more fun, inclusive and creative culture? Emma Keenan and a team of Brand Fuelians (Khaliha Long, Danny Mahoney, Beth Bumgarner, Renee Holmes & Bree McAndrews) planned an online lunch. But this was not an awk lunch where the…
I can’t tell you what day it was or even what year at this point, but I do remember not wanting to do it… My wife, Sheri, and I were living in Escondido, California at the time. We exited the public library and saw a Blood Mobile in the parking lot. The “Vampire Bus,” as…
When tariffs are enacted against the country’s trading partners, there are bound to be some unexpected outcomes. Those who pay for tariffs are the importers and, ultimately, consumers. We realize looking at brand merch as an expense is convenient, just a soulless line item. However, when managed properly, branded merch is an investment in employee morale. In…
We got an inquiry the other day that inspired us to rethink everything we’ve been taught about recognition. The request was for plaques (wood or acrylic) to celebrate employees crushing it. But our team did not feel as if plaques would make recipients have a true sense of being appreciated after receiving one of these:…
Our friends at The Branded Merch Network had a conversation about The Responsibility of Product Sourcing with copresident, Robert Fiveash, and this is how it shook out. In the branded merchandise industry, a shift toward sustainable and ethically sourced products is gaining momentum. In a recent “Why It Matters” conversation, Jeff Solomon engaged with Robert,…
We are thrilled and proud to have been selected as an authorized reseller of Patagonia, our favorite brand known for responsibility, innovative designs, and quality materials. At the heart of Patagonia’s mission is its deep commitment to our planet and its people. It’s not all marketing fluff, either. Patagonia walks the walk. They illustrate their…
Well, Trump Tariffs are in the news again. As Yogi Berra so famously quipped, it’s déjà vu all over again. Here’s a flashback to our 2019 post. While tariffs can sometimes give struggling industries some breathing room to reinvest, retool, and recharge, they nearly always bring higher costs to consumers and contribute to inflation in…