158 replies to this topic

[drakesis]

Hi, I'm William Desrochers. My business is called Excalibur Creations & Recognition. We manufacture alot of Acrylic Awards & Lucite Embedments, We also do Lasering Engraving, Screenprinting, Signage and Vinyl Graphics.

I think i will learn alot here, and hope to help others whenever i can!


Little more about me, well i started as a Designer/Machinest making Lapel pins, Medallions, & NHL Championship Rings. Later moving on towards the otherside of the awards & recognition industry doing acrylic & lucite and here i am!

Will

[Optimaprint]

Hi Chris,

Nice to hear from you. I personally just started my distributorship Creative Messaging LLC and I have found DT to be a wealth of knowledge it's great! I'm a mother of twin boys age 5 which keep me pretty busy and I also have another full time job so as you can imagine I have my work cut out for me. I would love to work my business full time but obviously can't do this until the growth exceeds my needed income. I would love to get info from other distributors on how long it took to grow their businessess and whether they too did a transition or went full time cold turkey into it.

Looking forward to eventually meeting all the great folks on DT at a tradeshow!!

:D

[bvitrano]

I am fairly new to the industry, but I am enjoying it so far. I started last month and I am doing fairly well for a newbie. I am no expert like some of you though. I am in El Paso, Tx and love it here. I am orginally from Louisiana, but I migrated here due to the Army. I am 24 years old, going to college, and running my business semi-full time. I enjoy reading comments in the forums and soak up every bit of knowledge I can. That is my 10-second introduction.

[DBeavers]

Brady,

I live in Sulphur, LA and cover 9 parishes of SW Louisiana calling on clients and prospects face-to-face. What part of Louisiana are you from?

I'm actually a native-born Texan, born in Corpus Christi, but drafted into the US Army out of San Antonio, where I graduated from Lee H.S.

Welcome to DT and the promotional advertising industry.

Dennis

[Greyhill124]

Welcome Brady! ... and greetings from the Windy City.
Lisa

[kristiy]

Hi, I am Kristi Yarbrough. I have been in this industry for about 8 years- 7 years on the supplier side and now as a distributor. I am currently a dealer for Kaeser & Blair, just because I will need to build the capital to be able to pay all those suppliers up front for the new orders I place with them. I figure after a little while with K & B, I will know which suppliers I deem reliable and that I will want to use when/if I do go out on my own.

As far as my supplier experience, I started with Ariel Premium, and for the first 8 months did all of the order entry- now that is a whole department there. After 8 months, I got promoted to Marketing Associate, where I handled everything from tradeshows to advertising. Then, my husband finished school and became a Chiropractor (2003), so we moved to Cheyenne, WY (closer to my son who goes to school at an arts school in Denver), and became a sales rep for Ariel, working from home (and mainly the road). Many of you I have probably met as a supplier rep, either at your offices or at a tradeshow.

In 2005, I found out I was pregnant- with TWINS- and left Ariel in the summer of 2005. We bought a house and moved the chiropractic office closer to home- IN our home as a matter of fact!- and I had the babies in August 2005 (they just turned 1!) After struggling with the decision of whether to be a distributor or get out of this industry all together, or not to work anymore at all, I finally decided to jump on in and get my feet wet!
I am still only doing this part-time, but am placing a few orders a week, some small, some pretty decent in size.

I am originally from the Memphis area. Before I was in this industry, I spent about 7 years in the casinos- 4 years dealing and the rest as a floor person, and my husband was a pitboss. We quit there to get married and move to St Louis so he could finish school and become a doctor.

If anyone wants to see pictures of the twins, (or videos- they are SO funny at this age!) they can go to our family website:
www.yarbroughfam.phanfare.com and have a look! My oldest is now 16, and the twins just turned 1~

I am enjoying learning from this site, Chris, and thank you for it!

[terryfic]

kristiy said:

Hi, I am Kristi Yarbrough. Then, my husband finished school and became a Chiropractor (2003), so we moved to Cheyenne, WY (closer to my son who goes to school at an arts school in Denver), and became a sales rep for Ariel, working from home (and mainly the road). Many of you I have probably met as a supplier rep, either at your offices or at a tradeshow.

Hey Kristi! If you ever came down Miami way we just may have met!
I have a couple of REALLY good friends in Cheyenne, got to know them through Therapy Dogs Inc which is based there in Cheyenne! I get first hand weather reports and the like! :) I may hate hurricanes, but boy do you get cold up there!!!

[kristiy]

You aren't kidding! Being from Memphis, if it isn't 99 degrees with 95% humidity, it isn't hot. So I am cold if it gets below 70! That is about 90% ofthe time here! But the humidity is very low- that is nice!

[jimknecht]

kristiy said:

You aren't kidding! Being from Memphis, if it isn't 99 degrees with 95% humidity, it isn't hot. So I am cold if it gets below 70! That is about 90% ofthe time here! But the humidity is very low- that is nice!

Being from the Memphis area myself, I can relate. While in the Air Force, I was stationed in Minot ND.... now that was cold!

[AngelineC]

Since this post has been re-discovered as of late, I feel as though I should introduce myself since I haven't yet done that...

My name is Angeline Caldwell, I'm 21, and have a live-in partner, Chris Thomas, who I met through this industry. I began as a receptionist for a branch of a large company (Continental Marketing Group, branch of Global DocuGraphix), then was moved to customer service, entering orders for Chris. Shortly after we got together, we found out we were pregnant and now have a 20-month old daughter. Once we found out we were pregnant, Chris decided he needed a job a little more economically stable and left the promotional industry, for the most part. When he left our company, knowing my connection with him, I was promoted into sales to manage his accounts.

At 7 months pregnant, our company disconnected itself with Global DocuGraphix and went under. Feeling this coming on, my husband was helping me look into other options to keep me in the promotional industry, and so that we could keep all of our clients. We were happy to choose (and have them choose us) Brown & Bigelow and are going on 3 years with them. Prior to this, I was in the industry 1 year and my husband for 2.5 years.

We are newcomers to Alabama, and were transferred here about 9 months ago from Nashville, TN where we spend the past 2 years together. I am originally from a sleepy little town in 'upstate' NY. Watkins Glen, for all of you race fans out there. Or Ithaca for any Cornell University lovers. OR Corning for those that love their CorningWare dishes. I love the promotional industry and it's just amazing how much stuff there is yet to learn after already being in the business for years! I really appreciate this site, Chris, and the input and opinions from all of you wonderful DTers! Thanks everyone!

By the way, I'm hoping to attend my first ASI show in Orlando this January- and I'm SUPER psyched!! I hope I'll be able to meet up with some of you there! I can't wait!!!!

Angeline

[terryfic]

kristiy said:

You aren't kidding! Being from Memphis, if it isn't 99 degrees with 95% humidity, it isn't hot. So I am cold if it gets below 70! That is about 90% ofthe time here! But the humidity is very low- that is nice!

:( Humidity? ARGH!!! Don't know what it's like to live without it...
First San Juan and now Miami. You'd think I'd learn!!! :lol:

[mayneevent]

Hi,
My name is Rick Mayne and I have run MAYNE EVENT PROMOTIONS out of my home since 1997. I actually started in the promotional products business when I was in college in 1965 selling for my Grandmother's distributorship MILLER ADVERTISING SERVICE. Following college I was a banker for 20 years but kept on moonlighting in the promotional products business until I reached a level that the bank felt was inappropriate for moonlighting. I was caught in a merger and since my wife was a teacher in the local school system I did not want to move so I fell back on the promotional products businees and took the plunge beginning full time in Nov. 1997 as an authoprized representative of Kaeser & Blair. My wife Carla and I have been married for 39 wonderful years and she is now retired and helps me in the business. We have thre daughters and 4 grandchildren. The promotional products business and ou kids and grandkids are the center of our life. We love the fact that we can make a living and still make the 1 1/2 hour trip whenever we want to see the grandkids in their church programs, school programs, athletic endeavors, etc. I love this site and have already learned much from it.

[amplady]

Hello! We'll I'm still a little "clueless" about the advertising industry, but I'm starting to figure some things out. I guess my interest in the business peaked after I started selling real estate (for a minute); I enjoyed finding creative ways to promote my business. Since I also work in the finance industry I came up with a unique way to calculate mortgage payments for my clients and then . . . the Mortgagewheel was born! I took my design to the local real estate association & my product was well received. At last, I was a true entreprenuer. The item soon took on a "life of its own" and got its own website (mortgagwheel.com). Now what I do is look for educational materials or learning aids that I can modify or design to my clients' needs. I've done credit brochures, home buying guides - even kid's flash cards! I go to real estate offices, mortgage and title companies trying to interest them in tailored promotional products with a view to educating and motivating clients. So I guess I'm sort of a supplier, too.

I started my promotional advertising business about 5 years ago but made some mistakes along the way which cost me time and money. For instance (this is a little embarrassing), I was unaware that I had been purchasing promo products from my competition (another distributor!). I really didn't understand the difference and was having a hard time making a profit. It wasn't until I went to apply for PPAI membership that it was explained to me that my invoices were mainly from a distributor - not a supplier. Yes, I felt Dumb. Oh well, live and learn. I've "fired" them and now I can't wait to see if business will pick up as I learn the ropes.

On a personal note, I like quiet time (like to read), watching old movies and socializing with friends. I volunteer in spiritually enriching activities. I have no children ( not even a goldfish ) and find that taking care of myself, my clients and keeping up with 6 neices & a nephew is more than enough activity! I also like singing and would love to have my own karaoke studio. I do it pretty well, but am stage frightful.

Michelle (the wheelady)
Owner, Smart Designs
www.smartgiftsandpromos.com
703-217-3310

[beasaver]

Thanks Chris for giving us this opportunity. My name is Bea Saver, I own TimeSaver Inc. (I know, corny...but it worked) I went into this business over 10 years ago when the company I was working for was bought out by Compaq (now HP) and all of us were laid off. I worked in the Marketing department and used promotional products for all our events. So I was on the corporate end of the biz and learned a little bit about this industry. I used a great company in Florida that provided us with all our promotional needs.

I decided to begin my own biz instead of seeking work for another company. I set up office at home and at first used other distributors to purchase products until I finally was able to find ASI and became a member and have been working here ever since.

My husband also has his own business in Finance that he runs from our home office. We use two rooms of our home in Boca Raton FL and it works well. My daughter is a mortgage broker and also works for my husband and part time for me.

We moved here 1991 from NJ where I worked for Continental airlines; before that I was with Aeromexico and Eastern. No I wasn't a flight attendant; I worked in the offices but my hubby and I were able to travel all over the world practically for nothing at the time. What a great experience!

I have been married for almost 37 years and have a daughter that has been married 3 years now. They live in Wellington FL.

I became interested in DT not too long ago and try to visit this site as much as I can; sometimes I am so busy that I don't have the chance but truly enjoy all the info and insight and feel I have learned so much. But more importantly, I don't feel alone in this industry since I found DT. It is a great forum and I thank you Chris.:thanks:
Much luck to all....
Bea

[saspromo]

Now this is fun!!

I am Paul Speert, President of SAS Promotions (Speert Advertising Specialties, Inc.) near Baltimore.

I have been in this industry since 1987 (May 4, 2007 will be my 20 year anniversary!). I started out with a distributor now affiliated with Summit, and then moved on to become Dir. of Sales for a company which went out of business in 1990 just after I left. (I always like to think they failed because I left - Hey it's my fantasy and I'm welcome to it...)

In 1990 I started Speert Advertising Specialties, Inc. out of my 1-room apartment. Now, 16.5 years later, we (as the more up-to-date SAS Promotions) own our own office building, own 2 Promobiles, and have clients all around the world.

A few years ago, I was getting a bit bored with doing things the same old way, and created THE Promobile (www.THEpromobile.com). This vehicle has worked out so incredibly well, that we have started marketing them to other distributors. HOWEVER, this is not meant to be a commercial, so that is all I will say... Our company continues to grow because we have been thinking "out of the box." That is such an overused phrase, but it really hits the nail on the head. IF you can see past all the "way it's always been done" methods of selling in this industry, there are vast lands of opportunity just waiting for you.

As for me, I could not be happier with the PP industry. It has allowed me to make my own fortunes the way I see fit. It has also allowed me to do something MUCH more important: I actually get to spend time with my wife of 15 years, my two daughters (14 & 12 - 'nuf said) and my Dachshund of 18 years! If you spend all your time working and not enough time with your family, what's the point?

This year, I am hoping to become a board member for the Chesapeake Promotional Products Association (CPPA) so that I can talk with other distributors and suppliers in my area and help make a difference.

If anyone, in any part of the country, would like to speak with me about the industry, I would love to learn from you (and maybe I could even tell you a thing or two). Please feel free to give me a call anytime or e-mail me.

Chris thanks for suggesting this particular thread. It was great reading the introductions so far. I hope this thread continues on for years to come.

[Remy]

Hi everyone,

It's nice to meet you all. My name is Remy (pronounced Ray-me). Born in France and left at 14 months old. Dad was German, mom was Russian so I learned English because it was the only common language. Went to school for Restaurant Mgmt and after 5 years had had enough. Went into sales at the local office supply dealer and stayed for 15 years till Staples and OfficeMax put us out of business. Then went to work for one of my customers who sold printing and after a year of getting paid 20% for doing 80% of the work decided to go off on my own. My wife was scared to death. But 14 years later I am still surviving. We have two brilliant children 19 & 20, both in college, who are making sure I will never be able to retire. We are recent empty nesters and it's kind of strange. But both boys are theatrically, and musically, inclined so we get to see them in shows at college.
I'm impressed so many of you have outside activities! Between work and this site (Thank You Chris) I never seem to leave my office. Just kidding. I love to bicycle and sing with a choral group at the Eastman School of Music. I also am involved at my Temple where the kitchen has become my second home. For fun, I shovel snow in the winter and work for a street festival promoter in the summer.
Thanks to all for keeping this site alive and being cooperative and helpful.

[terryfic]

Remy said:

Hi everyone,

It's nice to meet you all. My name is Remy (pronounced Ray-me). .....
For fun, I shovel snow in the winter.....

Hi Remy!!!
Come on down ;) we have almost no snow at all here!!!
And this past year, just Eduardo as a tropical storm!!! :D

[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.

But, at the time, it wasn't for me. I had no sales skills, just out of college, so I did what many people my age did, I got a job at the mall. And what did that job teach me after 1 year? That I NEVER want to work retail at the mall again so long as I shall live. I had a friend at the time that was a mortgage broker. So I joined him, and had a good 5 years in the business. But it just got too much for me. I left it around august of last year (perfect timing - right around the time the housing slump started). I just couldn't stand trying to qualify perfect couples. both hard working, who couldn't even afford to get a townhouse.

So I had enough money saved and I bummed around for around 5 months. At this point I started talking seriously with my grandfather about joining his business, so we said I would give it a try in January. After I really got deep into the business I found I loved it. All the skills I came with from being a mortgage broker are working out great for me in this business (and when I go to a chamber meeting there is only 1 of me, compared to about 50 mortgage brokers).

Wow, that ended up being a long story! So, to conclude this quickly, in what little spare time it seems I have nowadays I'm a big science fiction nerd, and an Xbox junkie. I look forward to learning from the people around this board and interacting more often.

[Russ]

Live & work on Long Island & been running Competitive Edge Promotions since 1984.

Married 43 years w/ 4 grown children & ten (10) grandchildren all living within 30 minutes of my dear wife & I.

Enjoy lap swimming & shooting hoops w/ my younger kids.

Big sports fan who enjoys the NFL & March Madness.

[carrilg]

Marlon - Welcome..... You will learn more about this business through your participation on this DistributorTalk web site.