A look at the history of cotton, from its explosive growth in the Civil War-era U.S. to its increased production worldwide to its current status as king of the apparel industry. Also, the lowdown on cotton’s place in the promotional apparel market and the trends to expect for fall 2018 and beyond…
Read MoreCollection: Newsletter Blogs
Fran Ford: A Lesson in Leaving a Wealthy Legacy
Most of my articles for “Million Dollar Mindset” are about creating financial wealth. But having just attended the funeral and celebration of life for a good friend of mine, and a good friend to the entire industry, I feel compelled to share my thoughts on the wealth that really matters. It seems to me that…
Read MoreDo I Need Business Insurance?
Question: My accountant wants me to buy some business insurance. Is that something I should have? Answer: I, too, advise my clients to purchase business liability insurance. It can protect you and your assets in the event of a lawsuit. If you are a sole proprietor, your personal assets are at risk with a lawsuit.…
Read MoreWhy Gmail Is No Longer Cool
Gmail launched in 2004, and was immediately a hit largely because they offered more free storage than anyone. It was more than storage that kept Gmail the leader in email, it was powerful features that were easy to use overall. Gmail was one of the first major applications to use AJAX (if you really want…
Read MoreDelete Your Old Company Files in QuickBooks
Question: I have a few company files set up in QuickBooks Premier from businesses I started but no longer run. How do I delete them from the list of companies to open? Answer: These companies can be hidden but technically not deleted. Select “File,” “Open Previous Company” to see the list of all the companies…
Read MoreAre You Having Fun?
Most distributor owners started their own business because they had a dream of making more money and having more fun than working for someone else. However, for many distributor owners, those dreams have turned into nightmares. All the responsibilities of business ownership can be very exhausting, distracting and no fun. Business owners not only have…
Read MorePromos and Politics
Politicians love promotional products when they are running for office, and mid-term elections are right around the corner. Yet the politicians don’t really understand the value of our industry (does anyone?), and that can be dangerous, as they pass laws that can negatively impact us. For example, language has been proposed in the past that…
Read MoreUsing QuickBooks for Multiple Businesses
Question: I use QuickBooks Premier for my distributorship. I also run another small business. Can I use my QuickBooks program for that, too, or do I have to buy Premier again? Answer: You can set up another company or companies in QuickBooks Premier at no additional charge from QuickBooks. You do not have to purchase…
Read MoreHow Women’s Apparel, Unisex and the Corporate Market Has Changed (and How to Sell It Now)
Many years ago, when my company entered the promotional products marketplace, we were told that every style of apparel we introduced must have a women’s companion piece. This women’s apparel companion style should be manufactured with the exact same fabric as the men’s styling—but be distinctly “women’s” in make and silhouette. The theory and logic…
Read MoreIt’s Just Lunch
How do you spend your lunchtime? Many distributors and sales reps think lunch is a great time to eat a sandwich at their desk and catch up on their work. In my view, this is an incredibly bad use of the potentially most valuable part of your day. We are all in the relationship business.…
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