HUGE thanks to our pals over at SHEPENCO for sponsoring this fine broadcast. For 90 years – and four generations of family ownership – they have defined stability by caring about the success of their distributor partners. Head over to shepenco.com to start your next project today! Damn straight it’s time for Ep. 87 of the Between 2 Brands #podcast with Bill Petrie! In today’s version of the “Opening Shot,” Bill talks about OpenAI rolling out ChatGPT for teens and why it’s imp

Not every day needs to be about what comes next. We spend an awful lot of our lives looking ahead: the next project, the next client, the next goal, the next event, the next deadline, and the next "thing" on the seemingly never-ending list of things we convince ourselves that absolutely must get done. Today, don't. It's Labor Day, and while the holiday gives us a much-needed break from the constant pressure to "do," maybe it can also give us a moment to appreciate the wor

BIG thanks to our pals over at Seven Sourcing for sponsoring this fine broadcast. When you're ready to be the partner your clients want – one that delivers unique, custom, and bespoke branded merch designed exclusively for them – reach out to Russ and his team at sales@sevensourcing.com. Coming in hot as we head into Labor Day weekend, you know it's time for Ep. 86 of the Between 2 Brands #podcast with Bill Petrie! In this week's Opening Shot, Bill talks about what led to his

Before we have something worth saying, we have to live something worth experiencing. After I delivered my presentation at PPAI Expo in Las Vegas earlier this year, I made a private decision that will likely surprise more than a few people. For the first time in many years, I won't be speaking at most of the promotional products industry's major events. No PPAI Expo, no ASI shows, no regional association circuit, and no Wild Wednesday Webinars until July, 2027. I'll still gl

HUGE Thanks to our friends over at BEL Promo for sponsoring this fine broadcast. When you’re looking for the lowest minimums, deepest inventory, 5-star and A+ service – you know you can BEL Promo that! It’s Friday and time for Ep. 85 of the Between 2 Brands #podcast with your host, Bill Petrie. In the Opening Shot, Bill reflects on a very tough week as he shares some thoughts on the passing of both Rob Watson and Dolly Parton – and the one thing that truly binds them together

Sometimes the greatest growth begins with a simple question: "What if I'm wrong?" For years, I appreciated the band Rush far more than I actually enjoyed them. That probably sounds strange coming from someone who loves music as much as I do, but it's true. I respected the band's incredible musicianship: Neil Peart was one of the most innovative drummers of all time, Geddy Lee's voice and bass playing were unmistakable, and Alex Lifeson never seemed interested in simply shre

This episode of Between Two Brands has been brought to you by the good people at CoasterStone – home of the original absorbent stone coaster. With that combination of stone-cold quality, striking decoration, low cost-per-impression, retail packaging, and unmatched value, David Glenn and his team at CoasterStone are ready to help you make a ROCK-SOLID impression with your clients. Email them at promo@coasterstone.com today! We are firmly in the dog days of summer, but it’s Fri

The burden of uncertainty usually falls on someone else. Most days, I have difficulty remembering where I left my keys or, even worse, what I was going to do when I walk into the kitchen. I suppose that's simply part of aging, that slight forgetfulness. However, every once in a while, someone says something that just sticks with you. Not because it's especially profound or a statement you agree with, but because it causes you to look at something differently. While planning

HUGE thanks to our pals over at SHEPENCO for sponsoring this fine broadcast. For 90 years – and four generations of family ownership – they have defined stability by caring about the success of their distributor partners. Head over to shepenco.com to start your next project today! Heck yes, it’s time for Ep. 83 of the Between 2 Brands #podcast with your host, Bill Petrie! In today’s “opening shot,” Bill talks about the ASI Counselor Awards in Chicago and the importance of rec

Sometimes, the greatest breakthroughs happen when we stop chasing them. Sometimes, a phrase or sentence just sticks with you. It doesn't matter where you heard it or who wrote it. It settles in your mind and tends to resurface when you least expect it. That's exactly what happened to me with a line from a centuries-old sonnet. "The more we pause, the more we progress." For whatever reason, I can't seem to shake those eight words. At first, they felt completely backward.