Kings of Swag with Jeremy Parker

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

How do you turn a cold email into a $30M+ global engine?Caleb Gilbertson, Founder and CEO of Imprint Engine, joins Jeremy Parker to share the high-stakes story of building one of the promotional product industry’s most tech-forward global agencies. From a small Minneapolis apartment to $150M+ in lifetime revenue, Caleb’s journey is a masterclass in scaling with speed and intent.In this episode, Caleb pulls back the curtain on the "Uber Era"—the wild years where a single client made up 90% of their revenue—and how they successfully navigated the "concentration trap" to become a diversified global powerhouse with offices in Dublin, India, and Australia.Key Takeaways:The Uber Effect: What it’s really like to hitch your wagon to the fastest-growing startup in history and the hard lessons learned when it came time to diversify.The "Janitor" Leadership Style: Why Caleb’s Slack title is "Janitor" and how empathetic leadership drives a high-performing global culture.Shipping Global vs. Being Global: The logistical reality of building truly integrated teams across three continents and why local presence is the ultimate enterprise differentiator.The AI Frontier: How Caleb’s tech and design background led to the creation of Merch AI and how he is using automation to reduce friction, not add complexity.The Power of Delegation: Moving from "apartment-style" micromanagement to hiring people smarter than yourself to reach the $100M milestone.Whether you’re a distributor looking to expand your footprint or a founder trying to survive a period of hyper-growth, Caleb’s insights on consistency and “trusting the process” are essential for any entrepreneur in the swag space.#promotionalproducts #entrepreneurship #globalbusiness #leadership #swagtech #imprintengine

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

Eric and Matt Rubin of Blue Generation share their incredible four-generation, 80+ year journey in the apparel industry. Discover how they've navigated economic challenges, adapted to changing markets, and built a lasting family legacy. From their humble beginnings to becoming a top apparel supplier, this episode is packed with insights for entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the power of family business.#promotionalproducts

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.

In the world of promotional products, few names carry as much weight as Jeff Lederer. After 30 years spent building Prime Line into an industry powerhouse and facilitating its massive acquisition by alphabroder, Jeff found himself at a crossroads: retire or dive back into the "unfinished business" of a 75-year-old legacy brand.In this episode of Kings of Swag, Jeff takes us behind the scenes of the Prime Line exit, the gritty reality of a high-stakes turnaround at Myron, and his blueprint for the future of the industry.Inside the Episode:The Prime Line Journey: Scaling from a $7M family business to an industry titan.The Exit: What it was really like selling to alphabroder and the "6-month itch" that followed.The Myron Turnaround: Fixing a 75-year-old legacy—tech stacks, cultural silos, and profitability.Premium Square: The strategy behind Jeff’s new international hybrid model.The AI Revolution: Why Jeff believes AI is the biggest "sea change" the industry has ever seen.Legacy vs. Business: Managing the pressures and rewards of a multi-generational industry name.Jeff Lederer is the Co-CEO and Owner of Myron and the former CEO of Prime Line. He is a seasoned industry leader with a track record of scaling businesses through innovation, acquisition, and operational excellence.Highlights(00:00) The Prime Line Origin Story(06:15) The alphabroder Acquisition: The Inside Story(12:45) Why Jeff Came Back: The Myron Opportunity(15:30) How to Fix a Legacy Brand: Operations & Culture(22:00) Premium Square & The New Global Strategy(27:50) Predicting the Future: AI in Promotional Products(30:40) Advice to the Next Generation of Promo Entrepreneurs

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.

They didn’t rush it — and that decision changed everything.In this episode of Kings of Swag, Jeremy sits down with Mark Graham and Catherine Graham to unpack the real story behind commonsku — from building internal software for their own distributorship to making the risky decision to open it up to the entire industry.They talk about working together as a married founding team, dividing roles, navigating conflict, and why playing the long game mattered more than quick wins. The conversation covers the early rollout of commonsku, initial distributor adoption, community-driven growth, and what it takes to keep compounding through the hardest years of entrepreneurship.This is a grounded, founder-level discussion about patience, trust, and building something meant to last in the promotional products industry.If you’re building a company, scaling a platform, or thinking long-term in promo, this one’s for you.

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 remarkable story of resilience and reinvention. Trevor Gnesin, CEO of Logomark, walks through his journey from South Africa to building one of the promo industry’s leading premium hard-goods suppliers. We explore how he pivoted from wearables, navigated major setbacks, scaled operations, built long-term team loyalty, and stayed ahead of industry shifts.In this episode:– Early days of Logomark and the pivot to hard goods– Sourcing, quality control, and operational discipline– Surviving failure and rebuilding stronger– Culture, leadership, and keeping teams motivated– The future of promo: tariffs, technology, and growth opportunitiesA clear, grounded conversation for listeners who care about the business of promotional products and want to learn from a leader who’s seen it all.Follow the show for more conversations with founders, suppliers, and innovators in the branded-merch world.

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.

Jeremy Lott, CEO of SanMar, joins Kings of Swag to share how a family-run t-shirt supplier grew into one of the largest and most influential forces in the promotional products industry. From inheriting his father’s legacy to leading through innovation, culture, and scale, Jeremy opens up about the lessons that shaped his leadership—balancing growth with values, embracing AI, and navigating global supply chain uncertainty.🚨 If you’re in promotional products, apparel decoration, or brand merchandise, this is a must-listen deep dive into what it takes to build a company that lasts generations

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.

Jake Himmelstein, President of Bamko, joins Kings of Swag to share how he helped scale the company from $22M to nearly $400M in revenue. From global sourcing and sales culture to bold acquisitions and leadership lessons, Jake reveals what it takes to grow in the $30B promotional products industry.Whether you’re a distributor, supplier, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, risk-taking, and building a thriving company culture.

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

In this episode, we sit down with Jason Lucash’s, the serial entrepreneur behind OrigAudio (acquired by HPG) and now co-founder of Rupt– a bold new company redefining sustainability and design in promo.We cover everything from the early hustle of launching a supplier brand, to the one-piece minimum revolution, to selling and scaling with HPG. Jason also opens up about startup vs. corporate culture, lessons from Shark Tank, and how his new venture is preparing for the future of the industry.If you care about entrepreneurship, promo innovation, and what’s next for branded products, this is a must-watch conversation.00:00 – 00:12 | Meet Jason Lucash: Entrepreneur & Innovator00:25 – 00:54 | The Origin Story: How OrigAudio Was Born02:01 – 02:34 | From Retail Success to Promo Pivot04:10 – 05:32 | Shark Tank Secrets (and What Really Happened)06:12 – 07:48 | Breaking Into Promo: Trade Shows & Strategy08:34 – 09:29 | One-Piece Minimums & Industry Disruption10:42 – 12:22 | Selling to HPG & Life After Acquisition13:38 – 14:13 | Why Startups Beat Giants at Innovation15:02 – 16:00 | Bootstrapping vs. Fundraising: Lessons Learned19:59 – 20:24 | The European Market Advantage23:27 – 24:11 | Finding the Right Co-Founder Balance26:32 – 27:13 | Why Austin Beats California for Logistics28:15 – 29:05 | Mission Over Money: Building With Purpose29:45 – 30:07 | The Future of Promo: Where We’re Headed#Entrepreneurship #PromotionalProducts #StartupLife #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth

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

In a world where every supplier seems to sell the same thing, how do you stand out? Jonathan Isaacson, Executive Chair of Gemline, reveals how his company rose above thousands of competitors to become one of the top suppliers in the promotional products industry. From ethical sourcing to B Corp certification, Jonathan shares the strategies, mindset, and partnerships that transformed Gemline into a market leader. Whether you’re in promo, retail, or any competitive field, this episode will change the way you think about differentiation.00:00 – 02:36 — Meet Jonathan Isaacson & the Gemline story02:37 – 05:05 — The origins: From family business to industry leader05:06 – 16:11 — Finding your niche in a crowded market16:12 – 22:38 — Expanding beyond the basics into high-impact products22:39 – 25:16 — Partnering with retail brands to create exclusives25:17 – 31:14 — Why design partnerships beat simple product sourcing31:15 – 37:40 — The power of ethical sourcing & becoming a B Corp37:41 – 43:58 — Standing for something in business43:59 – End — Final takeaways & future of the industry#BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #Branding #MarketingTips #PromoProducts #BusinessGrowth #Bcorp #Leadership

🎯 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

Join entrepreneur Greg Muzzillo, who just announced his retirement as CEO and Founder of Proforma– as he reveals how he turned a $200 dream into a $650 million global franchise empire in the promo‑products industry. In this episode, Greg shares:→ The pivotal moments that sparked Proforma’s explosive growth→ How their unique franchise model gives members 10× the buying power→ Insider tips on technology, vendor relationships, and scaling sustainably→ The mindset shifts every promo‑product entrepreneur needs to thriveWhether you’re launching a promotional‑products business or looking to take your operation to the next level, these proven strategies will help you unlock faster growth and higher margins. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to never miss an episode!📈 Resources & Links► Proforma Franchise Info: https://proforma.com/franchise► Subscribe for more promotional products masterclasses!00:00:00 – 00:04:47 Origin Story: $200 Startup to $650M Empire00:04:47 – 00:11:33 Unlocking the Franchise Model Advantage00:11:33 – 00:17:35 Tech & Vendor Hacks for Rapid Scaling00:17:35 – 00:38:32 Mindset Shifts Every Promo‑Biz Needs00:38:32 – 41:40 Next‑Level Tips & Final Takeaways#promotionalproducts #entrepreneurship #hustle

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

Kings of Swag is your front-row ticket into the world of promotional products—from distributors and suppliers to the brands that make headlines. Hosted by Jeremy Parker, co-founder and former CEO of Swag.com, each episode digs into the journeys, motivations, and lessons of the promo industry’s top leaders and innovators. Whether you’re building a career in swag or simply need a fresh dose of entrepreneurial inspiration, tune in and discover what’s possible.