49 replies to this topic

[Chris Miller]

I'm curious how long YOU have been in the promotional products industry. Would you take the poll?

[adecristo]

Started in this industry driving the delivery van for Klitzner Ind. aka Providence Co. Never looked back. About 18 months ago I lost my position with an unamed company due to layoff and restructuring. I am now a Conductor for Amtrak, kind of every little boys dream coming to reality. I also sell e-blasts and virtual catalogs for Promo-Cast. Just can't totally walk away from this industry, it has afforded me a healthy lifestyle and the people are the best both Suppliers and especially the Distributors I have met in the last 20 or so years.

[aapromotions]

Hey Alan, my wife's best friends husband is an Amtrak guy out of San Diego and some mucky muck in the union. Maybe you know him.

Shoot me a PM.

[gil levitch]

Chris Miller said:

I'm curious how long YOU have been in the promotional products industry. Would you take the poll?

This is my 49th year in the industry.

[terrigirl2]

Hi Chris, I have been in the industry for 20 years, with the same company and have been doing every NSA Showcase that long also.

[aapromotions]

gil levitch said:

This is my 49th year in the industry.

**** Gil, that's a long time to be anywhere. You must have started out of grammar school.

Wonder if I could do that much time........nope, the math doesn't work

[EagleMountain]

aapromotions said:

**** Gil, that's a long time to be anywhere. You must have started out of grammar school.

Wonder if I could do that much time........nope, the math doesn't work

Gil started out distributing stone slabs with logos carved into them. He paid faithfully, 30 days net -- no credit cards then -- and probably still uses that supplier when he can, ASI member or not. That is, until, of course, they ask him to update his credit info.

(Sorry Gil, I just couldn't resist!! :D;))

[USICO]

My family asked me to join the company 7 years ago and I love every minute of it.......

[ScottH]

I sold my first order when I was 18- twenty years ago now. I did a little bit in College, but went full time right after graduation.

Aside from a few part time jobs in HS / College, it's the only thing I've ever done.

[pluspromo2]

Chris, it would be interesting to know the years according to distributors and suppliers.

Frida

[gil levitch]

aapromotions said:

**** Gil, that's a long time to be anywhere. You must have started out of grammar school.

Wonder if I could do that much time........nope, the math doesn't work

Sometimes I feel that I was born with a catalog in my hand.. I found this industry by accident, formed my own company, fell in love with it and never turned back.

[gil levitch]

EagleMountain said:

Gil started out distributing stone slabs with logos carved into them. He paid faithfully, 30 days net -- no credit cards then -- and probably still uses that supplier when he can, ASI member or not. That is, until, of course, they ask him to update his credit info.

(Sorry Gil, I just couldn't resist!! :D;))

Doesn't everyone do that?

[royhill]

Started in the industry about 9 yrs ago with a 2 man apparel screen printing shop in Vegas and branched into PP. When my wife got transferred (and a nice leap up the corporate ladder) sold the shop, became a distributor only and kept several clients by servicing their needs via the internet. Two locations later and picking up a few new clients along the way still having fun, mostly in art designing and researching products.

[DBeavers]

I started my sales career in PP way back in July of '84, so I'll be eligible for PPAI's Pioneer Award in another 8 months.

I started on a part-time basis when I was searching for supplemental income to better provide for my family. I was serving in the military full-time, and learned my family qualified for food stamps. I opted for more income instead.

Never found something that would work with my military commitment, that I wasnted to do as a career, until I found a classified ad seeking sales reps for advertising specialties. Less than 4 years later, I bailed out of my military career, 6 years shy of qualifying for the retirement. Best decision I ever made.

Then, nearly 16 years ago, I was introduced to Kaeser & Blair, and swithed over to my new home in the industry.

Planning on postponing my retirement from this industry until I reach my 97th birthday, so only 41 more years to learn everything I can about this constantly changing industry.

[Chris Miller]

DBeavers said:

I started my sales career in PP way back in July of '84, so I'll be eligible for PPAI's Pioneer Award in another 8 months.

Wow! I was born in '81. Does that mean I am just 3 years behind you in the Pioneer Award? :D

Funny you mention retiring at 97. I have set a goal of never retiring and I try to live "semi-retired" now. I will process orders in my 90's. I am not too proud and it will keep me alive. My mother was working as a receptionist at her church and took on a job helping the pastor's father with some data stuff. I believe he is in his 90's and he's in this industry. He was building a mailing list for hospitals and targeting them with medical tip charts or something like that. Direct mail basically so he can continue working from home. I see no reason to quit doing what we do - ever.

[kristiy]

After 7 years in the casino business.. I moved and needed a job quickly- started in data entry, entering PO's at Ariel- within a few months I was moved to marketing. The Mktg director left, and suddenly I was in charge of everything marketing- catalogs, advertising, shows, everything!
I left there 7 years later, when my twins were born, and started my own distributorship.
I just couldn't see myself doing anything else. I fell in love with the whole industry!

Now I have my hands in several pots- my distributorship is ok, but I am spending most of my time on other things: I am also the National Sales Manager for Promo-Cast.com and I am helping Chris out with this site (with my old spare moderating time- LOL) selling banner ads for this site- just getting started on that.

In my spare time, I guess I will still be helping suppliers get their info updated on DC and Sage when the new catalogs come out, and oh yea-- I have 3 yr old twins and a 15 mo old. :)

[EagleMountain]

I've only been a distributor since 2005, but have been on the design and graphics side of promotional products and printing since the early eighties. There certainly was (and still is) a learning curve, but I was fortunate to have some experience and insight in a few important peripheral and supportive areas to help me along the way.

Since I use the total experience angle in my marketing efforts, I guess I'm an experienced and veteran post-novice! ;)

[BarbC]

Hi All,

Kristi you are amazing doing all that you do! If I remember do you have more kids?

Thanks for sharing this great topic. It is a blessing to see so many with years of experiece and I honor all of you.

In 2001 I was selling hotel personal care amenities and the boss started importing custom pens, mugs and coasters. I was selling promotional products and did not even know that they were called by that category name.

I was very successful for almost 4 years and parted ways with that company as I realized the promotions business was very exciting and I can make more money. I worked for 2 dist. owners and in 2006 was at a tradeshow when one of my supplier partners said "Barbara you should be working for yourself".

So here I am 3 years with my own company and 5 Independent Reps later, happy, growing and looking ahead to stay in this business until the bitter end.

I love what I do and do what I love.

Barbara

[kristiy]

BarbC said:

Hi All,

Kristi you are amazing doing all that you do! If I remember do you have more kids?

Oh Lord- the 3 yr old twins and 15 mo old are enough! LOL!
My oldest is 18 and lives on his own.

[BarbC]

Ok I thought so..... or I was losing it. LOL

Best wishes on all your ventures!

Barbara