Kings of Swag with Jeremy Parker

Heather Smartt, Global Head of Goldstar, joins Jeremy Parker to pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead one of the most influential suppliers in the promotional products industry. With over 20 years of experience—including a pivotal 11-year stint across Shanghai and Amsterdam—Heather brings a truly global perspective to the show.In this episode, Heather shares the "let go to grow" philosophy that transformed her leadership style and explains why Goldstar is betting big on sustainability and radical transparency. We explore the complexities of global acquisitions, the difference in design sensibilities between continents, and how she uses AI to streamline complex supply chain data.If you’ve ever wondered how a global firm rebrands itself in seven months while maintaining a multi-national footprint, Heather’s roadmap is a must-listen.Key Takeaways:Resilience through Relocation: Lessons from a decade spent living in the world's manufacturing hubs.Sustainability vs. Greenwashing: How digital passports and third-party testing are changing the "swag" narrative.The Operational Backbone: Why matching your brand's visual identity to its product portfolio is essential for growth.Modern Leadership: How to foster a culture of collaboration across different time zones and departments.#promotionalproducts #leadership #sustainability #globalbusiness #womeninleadership

How does a US Army Tank Officer become the CEO of a $200M promotional products empire?John Broman, CEO of Showdown Displays, joins Jeremy Parker to share the incredible growth story of a company that transitioned from a $6M "operational mess" into the industry leader for signs and displays. John pulls back the curtain on the "Showdown Secret Sauce"—a culture built on legendary customer service, including a mandate for live phone pick-ups within one minute and a bold guarantee of free products if a deadline is missed.In this episode, John discusses the discipline required to scale a business at 20% year-over-year, the father-son dynamic of the company’s founders, and his "specialty butcher shop" philosophy on acquisitions. He also shares a remarkably honest account of a $1.5M technology failure that cost the company a private equity deal, and how that setback provided the ultimate business education.Whether you are a military veteran transitioning to business or a leader looking to build a high-performance culture, John’s insights on empowerment and operational precision are essential listening.#promotionalproducts #leadership #militaryleadership #entrepreneurship #showdowndisplays #businessscaling

Joseph Sommer, Founder and CEO of Whitestone, joins Jeremy Parker to share the unconventional journey of building a $32M+ promotional products powerhouse. From being a self-described "bad student" with dreams of becoming a chef to navigating the high-stakes world of global enterprise branding, Joseph’s story is a masterclass in grit, pivot, and people-first leadership.In this episode, Joseph pulls back the curtain on how a high school firing led him to the promo industry and how he scaled Whitestone from a "scrappy" startup into a sophisticated agency serving global giants in tech, beauty, and finance. He opens up about the 2016 acquisition that nearly took down his company, why he’s now doubling down on a 10-year M&A strategy, and the "Human" core value that drives his unique Bucket List and Life Fulfillment Initiative.Key Takeaways:The "Chef to CEO" Pivot: How the low-overhead, high-flexibility model of promo products beat out the restaurant business.The M&A Playbook: Joseph’s strategy for acquiring three companies in two years and his goal to add 10 more to the Whitestone family.The 2016 Scar Tissue: Why owning your own decoration equipment isn't always the path to profit.Culture as a Currency: Inside the initiative where Whitestone pays for its employees' personal bucket list dreams.AI Integration: Meet "Larry," the internal AI agent helping Whitestone automate the "messy data" of global distribution.Whether you’re a distributor looking to scale through acquisition or a leader trying to build a culture people actually want to work in, Joseph’s "win-win" philosophy offers a fresh perspective on the modern promo landscape.#promotionalproducts #entrepreneurship #mergersandacquisitions #companyculture #leadership #KOS

Justin Zavadil, President of American Solutions for Business (ASB), joins Jeremy to pull back the curtain on a 46-year family legacy that transformed from a rural Minnesota print shop into a nearly $500M promotional products powerhouse.In this episode, Justin shares the secrets to ASB’s incredible growth and its unique structure as a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) company. Discover how to maintain a “small-town” nimble culture while managing massive scale, the nuances of navigating a father-son business dynamic, and why Justin believes that in a transactional world, relationship-driven culture is the ultimate differentiator.Whether you’re scaling a startup or leading a legacy brand, Justin’s insights on leadership, vendor relations, and the power of employee ownership are must-listen material.#promotionalproducts #leadership #familybusiness #entrepreneurship

How do you go from buying shirts at Hobby Lobby to being acquired by the biggest name in decorated apparel?Jayson Tompkins (Founder of Fulfill Engine) joins the Kings of Swag to map out his journey from software engineer to industry disruptor. This episode is a must-listen for promo product professionals who want to understand the "operational backbone" required to thrive in a post-COVID, e-commerce-driven market.Key Takeaways:How to identify the "holes" in the non-profit and corporate fundraising space.The difference between building software for yourself vs. building it for the industry.Inside the acquisition: Why Stahls’ chose Fulfill Engine as their digital future.Why the "No Human Touch" model is the only way to remain profitable in high-volume POD.Whether you're a decorator, a distributor, or a tech enthusiast in the promo space, Jayson’s insights on "the wilderness" of untapped industry verticals will change how you look at your business.

Chris Anderson, CEO of HPG Brands, joins Kings of Swag for a clear-eyed conversation about scale, leadership, and pressure in the promotional products industry.We talk about what changes — and what doesn’t — when a company reaches real size, how HPG approaches sourcing and trust, and what Chris is watching as the industry recalibrates. This is a grounded, operator-level look at where promo is heading and what it takes to lead through it.

Jeff Becker, Founder of Kotis Design, joins Kings of Swag to reflect on more than two decades in the promotional products industry.From college t-shirts to enterprise RFPs, Jeff explains how Kotis grew into a giant business — and why sustainability, focus, and long-term thinking matter more than ever. A grounded conversation about leadership, growth cycles, and what it really takes to last in promo.#promotionalproducts #entrepreneurship

A rare deep-dive with the person who sits at the center of the promo industry.Jeremy talks with Michele Bell, Senior VP at ASI, about the evolution of the promotional-products world, the rise of small distributors, global trends, leadership, and what the next five years will look like.This episode covers:• How Michelle entered the industry and built a 28-year career• Why ASI shapes so many of the industry’s stories• The changing post-COVID promo landscape• Mentorship, leadership, and the people who rise• Global markets, sustainability, and future tech shiftsFollow, share, and leave a rating to help the show reach more listeners in promo.

Rob Spector, founder of Spector & Co., shares how he transformed a tiny Montreal pen shop into one of North America’s most design-driven promotional product suppliers. From his first cold calls to landing clients like Tesla and GM, Rob breaks down what it takes to build a lasting culture, keep customers for decades, and lead with purpose through massive industry change.This is one of those rare stories that captures the heart of entrepreneurship: building something real, one relationship at a time.

In this episode of Kings of Swag, we go deep with Mitch Freed, CEO of Genumark, one of the top distributors in the promotional products industry.Mitch shares how he stepped into his father’s role to lead Genumark, what succession looks like in a family-run distributor, and how he earned trust while making his own mark on the business. We cover his early years at the company, the handoff in 2022, and the strategies behind Genumark’s acquisitions and U.S. expansion.We also talk about what it means to be a B Corp in promo, how sustainability and corporate responsibility play into client decisions, and where Mitch sees opportunities for growth over the next 3–5 years.For anyone working in promo, this is a rare inside look at the leadership, strategy, and vision shaping one of the industry’s most important players.⏱️ Timestamps09:22–13:32 — Family business origins: Genumark’s early days13:33–16:12 — Growing up in promo: inside perspective from the start16:13–18:36 — Leadership lessons & industry benchmarks18:37–20:21 — Why Mitch chose to join the business20:22–23:09 — First role at Genumark: learning the ropes23:10–25:03 — Succession dynamics in a distributor business25:04–28:00 — 2022 CEO transition: keeping operations smooth28:01–33:20 — Growth strategy: acquisitions & U.S. market entry33:21–36:37 — Becoming a B Corp: sustainability in promo36:38–42:32 — Genumark’s 3–5 year vision for the industry#promotionalproducts

From Netflix to Sephora — Harper & Scott’s CEO reveals how to win the biggest clients in promo.In this episode of Kings of Swag, Jeremy Parker sits down with Michael Scott Cohen, co-founder and CEO of Harper & Scott — one of the most innovative agencies in the promotional products industry. From pitching $30M accounts to winning over brands like Netflix, Spotify, and Sephora, Michael shares the lessons, failures, and strategies that helped Harper & Scott redefine what branded merchandise can be.If you’re in the promotional products space and want to learn how to land bigger clients, stand out with custom creative, and future-proof your business in a crowded market, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.🔥 Don’t just sell products — learn how to build partnerships, embrace failure as growth, and thrive in the next era of swag.00:00 – 01:04 | Meet Michael Scott Cohen: Harper & Scott’s Story01:05 – 05:46 | Winning Big Clients: Netflix, Sephora & More05:47 – 12:03 | Process, Pricing & Turning Down Clients12:04 – 20:10 | Projects, Failures & Lessons from the Industry20:11 – 23:54 | The $30M Pitch That Changed Everything23:55 – 28:15 | When Failure Becomes Success28:16 – 33:46 | Partnerships, Co-Founders & Growth33:47 – 35:30 | Becoming a B-Corp in the Promo Industry35:31 – 39:05 | Where is the Industry Going?#PromotionalProducts #Swag #KingsOfSwag #Marketing #Entrepreneurship

🎯 From Part-Time Finance to $200M+ Revenue: The Debbie Abergel StoryJoin us for an inspiring conversation with Debbie Abergel, Chief Strategy Officer at Nadel, who transformed a struggling promotional products company into one of the industry's most sophisticated agencies. In this candid interview, Debbie shares her remarkable 25-year journey from a part-time finance role to driving 62% revenue growth and breaking the $100M barrier.What You'll Learn: • How to transition from "distributor" to "marketing agency" positioning • The mindset shift that drove The Needle from $50M to $200M+ in revenue • Why fear cripples growth and how to overcome industry limitations • The evolution from commodity selling to strategic brand partnerships • How COVID elevated the promotional products industry's legitimacy • Building confidence through company culture and physical space design0:00 - 2:30 - Introduction to Debbie's background2:31 - 8:00 - Accidentally entering the promotional products industry8:01 - 15:30 - Recognizing the industry's transformation potential15:31 - 22:00 - Building Nadel into a premium agency22:01 - 35:00 - The importance of confidence in client relationships35:01 - 41:43 - Future opportunities in promotional productsDebbie's story proves that with vision, tenacity, and the right strategic approach, you can elevate any business—and an entire industry—to new heights. Whether you're a distributor looking to evolve, an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, or an industry professional wanting to understand where we're headed, this conversation offers invaluable insights.About Debbie Abergel: Chief Strategy Officer at Nadel, instrumental in growing the company from under $50M to over $200M in annual revenue. Known for transforming Nadel from a traditional distributor into one of the promotional products industry's most respected marketing agencies.🛎️ Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders who are reshaping promotional products and entrepreneurship.#PromotionalProducts #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #Leadership

Sharon Eyal built one of North America's largest promotional drinkware companies from scratch - growing from under $1M to over $100M in annual sales before selling to Polyconcept in 2019. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, he reveals:⚡ What You'll Learn:- How Sharon took over the family business at 20 with ZERO college education- The counterintuitive strategy that doubled revenue during the 2008 financial crisis- Why focusing on ONE product category made them industry leaders- The $3M legal battle with Swell that nearly destroyed everything- How he built a 600+ person company with minimal management structure- The Microsoft-inspired culture that set them apart from competitors💡 Key Moments:0:00 Introduction to Sharon's incredible journey14:00 Taking over at $1M revenue with 5 employees32:00 The risky bet during 2008 that paid off massively53:00 The Swell lawsuit bombshell that cost $3M to fight1:16:00 Why other industry leaders abandoned him during the lawsuit1:26:00 The $100M+ exit to Polyconcept🎯 Perfect for:Entrepreneurs building family businessesAnyone in manufacturing or B2B salesBusiness owners facing legal challengesPeople interested in promotional products industrySharon's story proves that with relentless work ethic and smart strategy, you can build an empire without fancy degrees or connections. His transparency about the struggles, including a devastating lawsuit that almost ended everything, makes this essential viewing for any serious entrepreneur.Don't miss the part where he explains how 8 jurors could have destroyed his life's work...Subscribe for more raw entrepreneurship stories and business insights!#Entrepreneurship #BusinessStory #ManufacturingBusiness #FamilyBusiness #PromotionalProducts #SwagIndustry #BusinessExit #LegalBattle #StartupStory