158 replies to this topic

[cdixon]

Hi everyone, I am Candice Dixon, President/CEO of Dixon Solutions, LLC which started about 4 years ago when I was in undergrad. I started out doing website development, graphic design, and desktop publishing. I got into the Promotional Products Industry a little over a year ago but just really started getting into it recently.

Looking forward to talking with you all on this forum.

[terryfic]

[quote name='captnwolfy']Hi all,

Where to start...well first let me say that I've been lurking around distributortalk for a couple weeks now under my grandfathers account, waiting for my account to be activated. I have to say I think this is a great board. Everyone is really friendly, and I've gotten some good information out of it. My compliments to the chef!

So about me. My name is Marlon Wolfman. A Long Island NY native, I have lived and worked in south Florida since 2001. I've been a distributor for say...about 4 months now. When I loved down here I had just gotten out of college and my grandfather (who has been in the business for over 50 years! I believe he said his first tradeshow was in the 1940's) tried to get me into the business.


Hello Marlon,
From a tad South of you!
Love how this thread :snickering: has suddenly gone Football!!!
And we are only finishing out March Madness!!!

[cmroma]

I thought I would "bump" this thread back to the top for all of our 250 new members.
Please take a moment and introduce yourself to everyone.

Good to have some new people join us!

Craig

[vpipuncher]

Hi I'm JJ from VPI Headwear....
been in textile since I was 16...
been in emb. since 96
married 13 years 6 kids (5 plus one one the way)
started at VPI about a year ago So im still learning everthing we do here (promostuff) so I will be seeing you guys around..

[smtx26]

Hi! This is my first post on this forum, so I figured it should be my introduction. :cool:

My name is Christine Ziegler. I am an inside sales rep for Watermark Graphics in Victoria, Tx. Prior to August of this year, I was only ever a waitress. One day in August, two of my very good friends (and now co-workers) told me of a CSR position opening up there. I applied and did not get the job... but the boss offered me a position in sales. I figured it wouldn't be that hard to transition my history in food sales (and some small retail experience) to the promotional items market. I was wrong, of course, because there is a huge difference in selling items on a menu and selling the limitless possibilities available to me now.

So far, I've been pretty successful at learning as I go. I'm up to an average of $10k per month sales in just four months, so I think I'm doing pretty good. All of my accounts are new accounts, so it isn't just falling in my lap. :)

I found this forum through a search for what to expect at PPAI Vegas '08. This will (obviously) be the first time I've attended a trade show, so I'm both excited and nervous. I look forward to all of the opportunities to learn more about this business!

Already in lurking this board for a few days, I've found valuable tips and suggestions for improving sales and marketing strategies. I forsee this goldmine of information being a regular part of my career in sales. I do appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the community here.

Aside from my newfound career, I am also a wife and mother of four wonderful children. I love to quilt and sew costumes. I'm an avid reader. I love suspense/thriller movies. I occasionally play World of Warcraft (no time lately).

Anything else you'd like to know, simply ask! :D

[DBeavers]

Hello Christine,

I'm a native-born Texan who was transplanted in Louisiana over 3 decades back. I still get over to Houston and San Antonio 12 or more times per year.

As preperation for the Vegas show, you might want to attend one of the smaller traveling expos when they visit San Antonio or Houston in January. Check out www.NSAshowcase.com , www.SAGEshowcase.com, www.LDKmkt.com (Larry Krause's site with the schedule for Southern Showcase, a multi-line rep show. Also check out ASI's Advantages Roadshow, linked on www.ASIshows.org.

These are all half-day shows, which could help you prepare for a major multi-day show.

Some of the shows will have 1 or 2 education periods before the exhibits open.

Notes:

1. Every booth you visit with in Texas is one less booth you have to squeeze in when you get to Vegas.

2. Wear comfortable shows, unless you want your feet to file for a quickie divorce while you are out there.

3. Carry plenty of business cards (Stick return address labels on the back if you don't have your street address on them. It will help when requesting suppliers send you samples, literatue, or extra catalogs to Victoria so you don't have to hand-carry them.


4. If allowable use a roll cart or bag on the tradeshow floor, so you don't have to schlep all those catalogs around in tote bags.

5. Enjoy.

Dennis Bevers

[mkc111361]

Hi Everyone! My name is Mike Cooper and I work for a supplier in Fenton, Mo. By the name of Quickpoint. Anybody heard of it? I am in charge of the Molding Department here. It is my job to keep all these molding machines going cranking out all those bio-friendly products that seem to be all the rage these days. I live in northern Saint Charles county, a little town on the river known as Portage Des Sioux. It is a great place to live as long as we stay above water. I make the 45 minute drive to Fenton every day because this is a great place to work! Great people and great products and I am proud to be a part of such a fine organization. I am 45 years old with a wife, 5 sons, and one granddaughter. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and just hanging out sometimes. Anyway, got to get back to work. Nice to meet you all!

[Remy]

Welcome Mike!
It's nice to have someone with a different outlook and career join us on the site. I, for one, look forward to your insight on production issues. (And, yes, I've heard of and used Quickpoint. You do good work.)

[mkc111361]

Thanks Remy! I look forward to it. I think a lot of distributors would be amazed at what goes on here at "Ground Zero".

[DBeavers]

I've been selling Quickpoint for over 20 years. My last order was for the Breast Cancer Awareness pens with the Pink clip on them. My customer was very pleased.

I actually have an antique mechanical pencil which is where QuickPoint got there name back in the beginning.

Welcome to DT Mike. Looking forward to reading more about QuickPoint from the supplier side.

Dennis

[mkc111361]

Thanks Dennis! Get out there and sell some of these unique corn plastic items I am molding. Have a great day!

[jimknecht]

Mike, while at the Expo I was talking with another supplier that uses the corn plastic. They stated it really was much harder to mold, but then again, I doubt if they changed the tips or revented the mold. They also state there are issues as far as water & temperature... as the product can break up. You have any of these issues?

[Allan]

Hey Guys,

Take this to a new thread.

[valnewby]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Valerie Newby, and I just recently quit working for a PPAI Supplier after 16 years as a Commercial Graphic Artist. I hold a (BST) Bachelor of Applied Science and Technology degree with emphasis in Commercial Graphics (I have a background in commercial graphics, fine art, and printing.) My daily schedule needed to be more flexible, therefore I am trying to start my own Contract/Freelance biz from home while furthering my knowledge and education in the creative design and web design worlds.

While working for the above PPAI Supplier, I have used both MAC and PC based computers in which I used (and still use), many different software formats to convert, setup, recreate and create artwork for various printing process; such as the following: screen printing; offset (4 Color Process) and Sheet-Fed (Spot Color) printing; laser etching; and digital print(s), which are all known within this industry.

I am married to a wonderful guy, and he still works for the same PPAI Supplier in which I recently quit, as Sales Manager, but he wears MANY different hats. He holds a (BST) Bachelor of Applied Science and Technology Degree in Plastics Technology, with a background in Commercial Graphics as well. He and I both started working for this PPAI Supplier fresh out of college as our first "industry/career" jobs. (We relocated, as a married couple, directly after college graduation.) Which means, we both have 16 years of the PPAI industry knowledge and experience, while continuing to learn more about it each and every day.

We have a daughter who just turned 9 years old, and is very active in many activities/groups, stemming from school to gymnastics to 4-H. We are also actively involved within these institutions to help keep her motivated and active. We have 2 dogs (one is a smaller - mix breed between a bird-dog and a beagle and the other is a golden labrador retriever) and 1 cat. The smaller dog and the cat think they rule the house.

Here are a few of my personal interests: learning new software techniques and platforms; family time and outings; working out; drawing and painting; researching family genealogy and photography.

Well, that about sums it up for me..... I look forward chatting and possibly working with some of you in the future.

Valerie Newby
NEW BY DESIGN
Commercial Graphic Artist
tnjv71@sbcglobal.net

[Chris Miller]

Welcome to the site, Valerie.

You don't know how good it feels to hear someone use "PPAI" and "Industry" together in the same sentence. I've seen people refer to our industry as the ASI industry and i cringe.

Anyway, welcome to the site!


o

valnewby said:

Hi Everyone!

My name is Valerie Newby, and I just recently quit working for a PPAI Supplier after 16 years as a Commercial Graphic Artist. I hold a (BST) Bachelor of Applied Science and Technology degree with emphasis in Commercial Graphics (I have a background in commercial graphics, fine art, and printing.) My daily schedule needed to be more flexible, therefore I am trying to start my own Contract/Freelance biz from home while furthering my knowledge and education in the creative design and web design worlds.

While working for the above PPAI Supplier, I have used both MAC and PC based computers in which I used (and still use), many different software formats to convert, setup, recreate and create artwork for various printing process; such as the following: screen printing; offset (4 Color Process) and Sheet-Fed (Spot Color) printing; laser etching; and digital print(s), which are all known within this industry.

I am married to a wonderful guy, and he still works for the same PPAI Supplier in which I recently quit, as Sales Manager, but he wears MANY different hats. He holds a (BST) Bachelor of Applied Science and Technology Degree in Plastics Technology, with a background in Commercial Graphics as well. He and I both started working for this PPAI Supplier fresh out of college as our first "industry/career" jobs. (We relocated, as a married couple, directly after college graduation.) Which means, we both have 16 years of the PPAI industry knowledge and experience, while continuing to learn more about it each and every day.

We have a daughter who just turned 9 years old, and is very active in many activities/groups, stemming from school to gymnastics to 4-H. We are also actively involved within these institutions to help keep her motivated and active. We have 2 dogs (one is a smaller - mix breed between a bird-dog and a beagle and the other is a golden labrador retriever) and 1 cat. The smaller dog and the cat think they rule the house.

Here are a few of my personal interests: learning new software techniques and platforms; family time and outings; working out; drawing and painting; researching family genealogy and photography.

Well, that about sums it up for me..... I look forward chatting and possibly working with some of you in the future.

Valerie Newby
NEW BY DESIGN
Commercial Graphic Artist
tnjv71@sbcglobal.net

[pioneer]

Hello everyone, my company is Pioneer Printwear & we specialize in contract embroidery in Buffalo Ny.

[Wimco123]

My name is Wesley I. McNaught Sr. I live in a small town,Kewanee, IL, and we have the dubious title of "Hog Capital of the World". I have been selling promotional products off and on in a part time basis for approx. 40 years. I love talking to people and pride myself on my customer service. As I am 6'9" tall and weigh about 350 lbs.people do not usually forget me. I have sold for National Press, Brown & Bigelow, and now as an authorized dealer with Kaeser & Blair. I have been very happily married to my second wife for 29 yrs. this June and have 9 biological & stepchildren. Also have 13 grandchildren. Enjoy Distributor Talk very much and still learn from it. :):):):):)

[LOGO emPower]

Hi Wesley, would you be intetrested in becoming our DT Bouncer? :)

[bamsadv]

Hi Chris. I just want to say thank you for this site and I wish i would have found it 2 years ago when I became a Distributor.

My name is Bambi Layton and I own Bams Advertising in Troy, Texas. I have been married to my high school love for 18 years now. We have 2 children, a daughter who will be graduating High School this year and a son who is 10. (We were crazy, one in High School the other in Elementary, what were we thinking??!!??)


I use to work for a supplier, I was a Customer Service Lead, and wanted to see if I could do this on my own. Let me explain a little before I ruffle some feathers. One of the main reasons I did this was, because we have noone that offers the services anywhere in our area. And also the money, he he he. But I will admit, i have earned every dollar I made. I knoew dealing with distributors could be a pain at times, but, now I know why they are crazy after having to deal with some of the end users.

But I am very thankful for this opportunity to be a Distributor. I have met some wonderful people along the way. I love reading your forums as they are a wonderful insight and touch base on a few things that I would have never thought of.

Once again, thanks and have a wonderful day!:D