John Janson is the senior director of global logistics for SanMar. The last year and a half has definitely challenged and tested his team, along with the rest of us, to say the least. In this episode, John delves into how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up supply chains all over the world, how SanMar is faring, and what we need to accomplish before we can be “back to normal.” THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE John breaks down how SanMar’s global supply chain worked prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. What causes product shortages, and how has the pandemic played into that? Looking into how the Suez Canal blockage affected SanMar and the global supply chain at large. Why it’s important for customers to get their orders into us early. What milestone does the industry need to hit to know it’s turning a corner?   QUOTES “We’re not doing anywhere near as well as we’d like to be doing, but we’re doing significantly better than lots of other people are doing.”  “If you grade us on a curve we’re not doing bad!” “We’re trying to make ourselves as attractive to a customer as we can be.” “We are professional whack-a-mole players right now.”   LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

SanMar Radio

Unraveling Today's Supply Chain Challenges with John Janson

Vicki Ostrom is SanMar’s futurist and trend editor - she reads the cultural and apparel tea leaves to help us stay in the know.  In this episode, Vicki discusses some unexpected trends that have sprung out of the pandemic, muses over why retro styles make such a splash, and looks at how sustainability is factoring into the average customer’s purchasing decisions. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE How the pandemic has shaken up personal fashion. The reason Vicki believes retro trends are so popular. Vicki reveals her favorite trend at the moment. The trends Vicki sees coming out over the next few months. QUOTES “We’re just ready to have some fun! Everybody’s tired of being tired and sad.” “We’re dressing for ourselves now more than we’re dressing for others.” “We can actually make [a] serious difference in the world quickly.” “I want to live on this planet, and I need to have a planet to live on if I want to do that.” “It just takes some creativity to just bring that little spark of joy to your customer.” LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp

Trends that are Moving us Forward with Vicki Ostrom

James Shimizu is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Superior Group of Companies (SGC), whose WonderWink brand of scrubs is the latest to join the SanMar family.    In this episode, James discusses how WonderWink’s fabric selection makes their products more appealing to consumers, looks at how the pandemic has affected the company, and looks into the non-medical professions that use scrubs. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE James gives Lisa, Tara and the listeners a crash course in what makes WonderWink products unique. What is WonderWink’s relationship with SanMar and how did this latest partnership come to be? How WonderWinks scrubs are made to be more comfortable than their competitors’. What goes into making scrubs that won’t fall down when you least expect it (like in the middle of a surgery). Which WonderWink products are SanMar exclusives.   QUOTES “It’s hard to look at the Wonderwink logo and not smile.” “Of course we want everything to look good and feel good but at the end of the day it really needs to perform. “Fit...is the foundation to what WonderWink is.” “We’re frankly just so honored to be able to support the health care industry.” “We think Scrubs Day should be every day!” LINKS WonderWink: https://wonderwinkscrubs.com/  Superior Group of Companies: https://superiorgroupofcompanies.com/  SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

How WonderWink is Working Wonders with James Shimizu

Emily Gigot is SanMar’s sustainability manager and is spearheading our company’s initiative in helping to reduce climate change. In this episode, Emily explains what it means to make a climate commitment, delves into SanMar’s own sustainability strategies, and discusses how small changes in our everyday lives can make a positive impact on our planet.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE What is SanMar’s climate commitment? Breaks down what the Paris Agreement hopes to accomplish. How SanMar sets its internal climate goals. The big and small ways that companies big and small can reduce their carbon usage. What individuals can do to battle climate change in their own lives.   QUOTES “We really don’t have time to waste. We need to take steps now to make sure that the future is bright and future generations are able to thrive.” “I’m of a mind that putting more heads together is better than one.” “Consumers need to be able to make an informed choice.” “Every car off the road makes a difference.”  LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp

Making a Climate Commitment with Emily Gigot

Ryan Ellis is the CEO of TravisMathew, a well-known lifestyle and golf brand that has recently joined SanMar’s family of brands. In this episode, Ryan delves into TravisMathew’s meticulous fabric-making process, discusses the positive changes that the past year of quarantine has brought about, and gives us a sneak peek of what’s next.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Ryan gives listeners a crash course in TravisMathew’s history. How TravisMathew tries to push golfwear beyond the golf course and clubhouse. Breaking down how TravisMathew researches and selects fabrics for its products. How TravisMathew has cultivated a healthier work-life balance for its employees. The philosophy behind TravisMathew’s designs. A day in the life at TravisMathew.   QUOTES “We have a lane, we know what it is, and so it’s very easy for us to just drive right down that lane.” “It’s really a space that we’re dominating right now.” “One fabric can make all the difference.” “It’s not about working hard; it’s about working smarter.”   LINKS TravisMathew homepage: https://www.travismathew.com/  SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

The Evolution of TravisMathew with Ryan Ellis

Natalie Tenner and Rob Crowley are the chairs for SanMar’s Diversity and Inclusion Council, which works to foster an open-minded and equitable environment in the company’s workplaces. In this episode, Natalie and Rob discuss their role models, lay out their strategies for workplace education and conflict resolution, and suggest methods for making SanMar an even more welcoming place than it already is.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Natalie explains what got the ball rolling with creating SanMar’s council, and Rob specifies why this group is a council, not a committee. Rob and Natalie discuss the personal reasons and values that lead them to join the Diversity and Inclusion Council.  What is psychological safety, why is it important, and how can it be fostered in the workplace? How the Diversity and Inclusion Council has faced resistance since launching, and how Natalie strives to listen to people and meet them where they are. The reason Rob thinks it’s difficult for people to understand the concept of privilege. Who have been major inspirations for championing diversity and inclusion in Natalie and Rob’s lives? Which companies they feel are leaders in promoting and fostering diversity and inclusion.   QUOTES “He viewed a council as something that was constant and never going away; it would never expire and would last the life of SanMar.” “I want to make sure that future generations, and even people who are here now, have a place where they feel that they’re included.” “There’s a lot of great things about SanMar but I think we have some work to do in this area.” “How much better can people be at their jobs if they feel truly empowered and emboldened to be who they are?” “The people who are hiring and firing and promoting need to understand what a bias is.”   LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

The Impact and Importance of Diversity and Inclusion

This year, SanMar is celebrating its 50th Anniversary and to kick things off, we talked with our founder, Marty Lott and his wife Sharon. Marty and Sharon started SanMar with $1 in the company’s checking account. From there they have worked together selling t-shirts at concerts, unloading boxes at warehouses and teaching their sons the ins and outs of the business. In this episode, Marty and Sharon reveal how SanMar started with a backpack created for college students, discuss the challenges of running a family business and share how being a family…and being a SanMar family…has been at the core of what they’ve created.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE What it means to Marty and Sharon for SanMar to celebrate half a century of operations this year. How they define success on their terms. Marty tells the story of the first backpack he created and how SanMar grew out of it. Sharon shares the story of the infamous yellow T-shirts. How they manage work-life balance in a family business. Why you should tie a rope around your tent. What Marty and Sharon love most about their SanMar family.   QUOTES “Fifty years has gone way too fast in my mind.” “Doing what makes you happy is success.” “My greatest joy now is watching my children be in the business.” “As long as you and your partner think alike, have the same goals and have the same values, you’ll be fine.”   LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Celebrating 50 Years with Marty & Sharon Lott

Shelley Williams is the Vice President of Marketing here at SanMar. This year has been a whirlwind for her as she is relatively new to the company and the industry in general, having joined up just a couple months before the pandemic hit. In this episode, Shelley discusses how the pandemic compelled SanMar to focus on building relationships, speculates on which advancements spurred on by quarantine will carry forward and emphasizes you should never forget it’s okay to ask for help.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE How the COVID-19 pandemic made Shelley and others reassess their approach to customer care and communication. What SanMar did to adapt its normally in-person practices to a virtual format during quarantine. Breaking down what has and hasn’t gone so well for SanMar’s approach throughout this unusual year. Which COVID-inspired changes and work-arounds may be carried forward even after quarantine ends. Shelley reveals what she’s most proud of when she thinks back on the year. What Shelley is hopeful for in the coming year.   QUOTES “You need to reevaluate every message you’re putting out there.” “[COVID] isn’t gonna stop us from doing great work. We’re gonna figure this out.” “We’re all in it together and you know we’re doing crazy things, but we can do it.” “Just because it’s successful doing it the way we’ve always done it, doesn’t mean we have to not look forward to what’s coming.” “What you’ve always done isn’t going to always work.”   LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Dynamic Marketing in a Crisis with Shelley Williams

To get the low-down on what’s going on in our industry, Lisa and Tara spoke to some of SanMar’s channel managers across the country, including Rachelle Manning, Ken Snyder and Mark Bailey. In this episode, our guests discuss how the sporting goods industry has dealt with nearly every sport being canceled this year, they elaborate on how they’ve found ways to make virtual meetings work for them,and they explain why they’re feeling optimistic about the rest of Q4 of 2021.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Sporting Goods Channel Manager Rachelle Manning discusses how the communal nature of sports brings people together even during hard times. Industrial Laundry Channel Manager Ken Snyder reveals that he was pleasantly surprised at how flexible SanMar’s customers have been during the course of the pandemic. Decorator and Digital Solutions Channel Manager Mark Bailey gets into some of the unexpected product trends to come out of this past year.   QUOTES “Everyone is seeing a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel.” “I always think there will be a place for in-person meetings, but I think it’s gonna be really different down the road.” “Those vertical collateral materials really helped them understand where they needed to move to, and we gave them what they needed to make it as easy as possible.”   LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Checking in with SanMar’s Sales Team, Part 2

To get the low-down on what’s going on in our industry, Lisa and Tara spoke to some of SanMar’s territory managers across the country, including Matt Foley, Chris Smith, Ben Prasad and Alisha Proffit. In this episode, our guests discuss how Q4 looks around the country, which industries are doing well, and how customers have adapted to the current business climate.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Matt notices a shift away from PPE purchases. Why virtual meetings are here to stay. How Ben pulled off a parking lot tradeshow. What Alisha thinks has been a silver lining that’s come out of the pandemic.   QUOTES “When the world shut down and everyone went virtual, business pretty much went there as well.” “Sustainability has been a really big story for us this year.” “If we don’t have the right answers now, find a solution, find a network and I think we’re a great network to find those solutions.”   LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Checking in with SanMar’s Sales Team, Part 1

John Lindgren and Cindy Crank are considered to be the driving forces behind SanMar’s tradeshows, which have undergone a significant virtual shift this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, John and Cindy discuss how the tradeshow industry is reacting and adapting to COVID-19, weigh the pros and cons of physical vs. virtual tradeshows and ponder the future of these events.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE What has the shift to virtual and remote work been like for John and Cindy? What’s it like to attend a virtual tradeshow? How do they replicate the feeling of attending one of SanMar’s shows in a virtual environment? One benefit a virtual tradeshow provides that its physical counterpart really can’t. Looking toward the future of post-COVID tradeshows.   QUOTES “As time goes on, these different platforms are getting better and better with their communications and offerings.” “What we don’t have in the real world is clicks.” “If you have goals of trying to find new products, if you are looking for a specific customer, get all your stuff in order and do your homework ahead of time.”   LINKS SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Making Sense of Virtual Tradeshows with John Lindgren and Cindy Crank

Lisa and Tara had the opportunity to speak with Davis Smith, the founder and CEO of Cotopaxi, a company that makes innovative outdoor gear while also giving back to the global community. It’s also the newest addition to the SanMar family. In this episode, Davis reveals what goes into making Cotopaxi’s hip AND sustainable bags, discusses the company’s core values and talks about how a kid named Edgar shaped his desire to help the world.    THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Davis explains where Cotopaxi got its name and what went into selecting the llama as its mascot. How Davis’ love of adventure and exploration influenced the direction Cotopaxi has taken. How Cotopaxi produces sustainable, colorful, one-of-a-kind bags. What brought Cotopaxi to work with SanMar. Breaking down how exactly Cotopaxi gives back to communities. Davis’ connection and reunion with Edgar, the boy who changed the track of Davis’ life.   QUOTES “We didn’t have a lot of money but we could definitely adventure.” “Anyone that has adventured or seen the world or spent time in the outdoors has connected with something bigger than themselves.” “We felt like if there was a time for us to focus on doing good, it was today.” “It’s just really important to build those rituals and traditions around those values so that they’re not just words on the wall but they’re something that everyone lives every single day.”   LINKS Cotopaxi: https://www.cotopaxi.com/ SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Doing Good with Cotopaxi’s Davis Smith

Lisa and Tara chatted with Ryan Moor and Mel Lay, two of the founders of Allmade Apparel, an impact-driven company that was founded by a group of screen printers wanting to create positive change in the industry and the world. Allmade is the newest addition to the SanMar family. In this episode, we discuss Allmade’s origin story, including a life-changing trip to Haiti, their commitment to helping people and the planet, and Ryan even gives listeners a few tips for decorating face masks.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Ryan and Mel think back on their first entrepreneurial ventures. How a trip to Haiti opened Ryan’s eyes and encouraged him to pursue a different kind of business. What Ryan and Mel hoped to change when they founded Allmade with a group of fellow screen printers. Why working with SanMar has allowed Allmade to “go to the next level.” How the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the entrepreneurial spirit in many people.   QUOTES “If you get a better shirt, you’re actually gonna look like a better screen printer without having to do anything.” “So it started about ethical wages and creating jobs for people, and then it quickly transformed into ‘Hey, let’s do that and let’s make a t-shirt that’s better for the planet.” “A lot of barriers that may have been there before are no longer relevant.”   LINKS Allmade Apparel homepage: https://www.allmade.com/ SanMar U homepage: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

The Allmade Impact with Ryan Moor and Mel Lay

Renton Leversedge is the Chief Customer Officer at SanMar. He and his teams have played a pivotal role in quickly switching much of SanMar’s production from making t-shirts to face masks. In this episode, Renton breaks down how SanMar has completely reworked its production priorities, discusses how competitors have become collaborators and elaborates on the methods used to make face masks more attractive to the average customer.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Renton explains how SanMar became part of the pivotal, industrial force manufacturing face masks in this time of need. Discusses the unprecedented experience of SanMar working alongside companies who are usually its competitors. How the industry can make masks more appealing through branding. An in-depth look at the PPE gown SanMar is manufacturing for use on the COVID-19 frontlines. The tricky logistics of completely reworking supply chains during a crisis.   QUOTES “I enjoy being around people so I look forward to the day we’re all back in the office.” “If science says you should wear a mask, then [any] way we can make people feel better about wearing a mask, the better.” “There’s no substitute for being together.”   LINKS SanMar U homepage: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Shifting from T-Shirts to Masks with Renton Leversedge

Kara Johnson, a senior merchandiser at SanMar is responsible for building products, setting prices and collaborating with a myriad of teams to develop products. In this episode, Kara discusses how sustainability is  now the status quo instead of just a trend, explains why she’s so excited about the District Re-Tee and daydreams about the perfect reserved parking spot.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE Kara breaks down her responsibilities as senior merchandiser and which brands she works with. How SanMar is able to design and create products faster today and how that helps keep up with some of fashion’s every-changing trends. What’s so special about the Re-Tee that Kara wore to this interview? The reason sustainability is easier to manage than you think.   QUOTES “You have to stay true to who you are.” “We have the ability to truly affect change in our market and in the world.” “It’s scary to move that fast, but we’ve been able to do it.” “We have to affect the change now because our customers are demanding that.”   LINKS SanMar U homepage: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

An Evolution of Sustainable Product with Kara Johnson

This is SanMar Radio, the podcast where we dig into the promotional products industry to help you find the answers and inspiration you need to grow your business.

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SanMar Radio

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