Kings of Swag with Jeremy Parker

Jeremy Parker
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Daily

Kings of Swag is your front-row ticket to 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.

  1. Jul 8

    Modernizing a Swag Giant with Neil Ringel

    How do you transition from leading an $11 billion division at Staples to running one of the most innovative suppliers in the promo world? Neil Ringel, CEO of PCNA, joins Jeremy Parker to discuss the evolution of a $650M+ industry giant. In this episode, Neil pulls back the curtain on the aggressive acquisition strategy that landed PCNA exclusive partnerships with brands like Stanley and Owala. He also breaks down the technical "heart surgery" of re-platforming a massive company, the power of Print-on-Demand, and how PCNA is using AI to eliminate friction for distributors. Neil’s "say it like it is" leadership style is a refreshing look at how to manage scale while staying nimble enough to lead the market in technology and culture. Key Takeaways: The Staples Playbook: Lessons from a 23-year career building category killers.The Retail Pivot: How PCNA moved from traditional supply to a retail-brand-driven model.Scaling POD: Why acquiring T-Shirt & Sons and Spoke changed the way PCNA thinks about production.Radical Transparency: Why owning system failures is key to maintaining customer loyalty.AI Integration: How the new BrandBook tool is automating the sales process for distributors. #promotionalproducts #leadership #PCNA #entrepreneurship #businessstrategy #swag #marketinginnovation

  2. Jun 24

    Leading a Global Giant: Heather Smartt on Goldstar’s Sustainability Revolution

    Heather Smartt, Global Head of Goldstar, joins Jeremy Parker to pull back the curtain on what it takes to lead one of the most influential suppliers in the promotional products industry. With over 20 years of experience—including a pivotal 11-year stint across Shanghai and Amsterdam—Heather brings a truly global perspective to the show. In this episode, Heather shares the "let go to grow" philosophy that transformed her leadership style and explains why Goldstar is betting big on sustainability and radical transparency. We explore the complexities of global acquisitions, the difference in design sensibilities between continents, and how she uses AI to streamline complex supply chain data. If you’ve ever wondered how a global firm rebrands itself in seven months while maintaining a multi-national footprint, Heather’s roadmap is a must-listen. Key Takeaways: Resilience through Relocation: Lessons from a decade spent living in the world's manufacturing hubs. Sustainability vs. Greenwashing: How digital passports and third-party testing are changing the "swag" narrative. The Operational Backbone: Why matching your brand's visual identity to its product portfolio is essential for growth. Modern Leadership: How to foster a culture of collaboration across different time zones and departments. #promotionalproducts #leadership #sustainability #globalbusiness #womeninleadership

  3. Jun 10

    "I Want to Make My Dad Proud": CJ Schmidt on Growing the Hit Promo Legacy

    CJ Schmidt, CEO of Hit Promotional Products, joins Jeremy to discuss the evolution of a $730M+ industry titan. From its humble origins as a rubber stamp company to becoming one of the most technologically advanced suppliers in the world, CJ pulls back the curtain on what it takes to lead at scale. In this episode, CJ shares his "coach" approach to leadership—balancing high accountability with a deep-seated "family-first" culture. He dives into the strategic move from inexpensive giveaways to high-end retail partnerships, the acquisition of fulfillment giant ProFill, and how Hit is currently utilizing AI to revolutionize order processing and art analysis. Whether you’re a distributor looking to understand the future of the supply chain or an entrepreneur navigating a family business transition, CJ’s insights on "staying even-keeled" through global disruption are essential listening. Key Takeaways: The Pivot to Quality: How Hit moved from a "Walmart" mentality to a "Neiman Marcus" product offering. The Tech Edge: Why Hit employs over 150 IT professionals to solve integration headaches for distributors. Operational Resilience: Real talk on the "brute force" required to fix major system failures. The Competitive Game: Why CJ views business through the lens of sports and the "unbelievable impact" of seeing employees’ families thrive. #promotionalproducts #leadership #familybusiness #entrepreneurship #HITpromo #supplychain

  4. May 27

    Booths, Banners & the Big Business behind Showdown Displays

    How does a US Army Tank Officer become the CEO of a $200M promotional products empire? John Broman, CEO of Showdown Displays, joins Jeremy Parker to share the incredible growth story of a company that transitioned from a $6M "operational mess" into the industry leader for signs and displays. John pulls back the curtain on the "Showdown Secret Sauce"—a culture built on legendary customer service, including a mandate for live phone pick-ups within one minute and a bold guarantee of free products if a deadline is missed. In this episode, John discusses the discipline required to scale a business at 20% year-over-year, the father-son dynamic of the company’s founders, and his "specialty butcher shop" philosophy on acquisitions. He also shares a remarkably honest account of a $1.5M technology failure that cost the company a private equity deal, and how that setback provided the ultimate business education. Whether you are a military veteran transitioning to business or a leader looking to build a high-performance culture, John’s insights on empowerment and operational precision are essential listening. #promotionalproducts #leadership #militaryleadership #entrepreneurship #showdowndisplays #businessscaling

  5. May 13

    28 Years in Business: Memo Kahan’s Playbook for Longevity

    Memo Kahan, the Founder and CEO of Promoshop, joins Jeremy to share the 28-year story of building one of the promotional product industry’s most creative and culturally-driven distributors. From his roots in Mexico City to leading a $70M+ powerhouse, Memo opens up about the "accidental" start of his career and the bold decision to launch his own firm after being shown the door by his former employer. In this episode, Memo breaks down the "secret sauce" behind Promoshop’s success: a human-centric, "huggy" culture that prioritizes people and transparency over cold transactions. Discover how Promoshop navigated the 2008 financial crisis, their massive digital transformation during the pandemic, and how they’ve successfully scaled through the acquisition of companies like JR Resources and Ideas Unlimited. Memo also discusses the importance of his minority-owned status, celebrating his "Mexicanism" in the business world, and why giving back to the community is now the driving force behind his motivation. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or leading a large team, Memo’s insights on empowerment, resilience, and the "battle" of business are essential listening. #promotionalproducts #leadership #minorityowned #entrepreneurship #businessculture #swag

  6. Apr 29

    The Whitestone Way: How Joseph Sommer is Disrupting the Promo Industry

    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

  7. Apr 1

    Scaling Swag Globally: How Imprint Engine Built a Borderless Business

    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

  8. Mar 18

    Justin Zavadil: From Small-Town Roots to a $500M Promo Empire

    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

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Kings of Swag is your front-row ticket to 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.

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