Rob Spector, founder of Spector & Co., shares how he transformed a tiny Montreal pen shop into one of North America’s most design-driven promotional product suppliers. From his first cold calls to landing clients like Tesla and GM, Rob breaks down what it takes to build a lasting culture, keep customers for decades, and lead with purpose through massive industry change.
This is one of those rare stories that captures the heart of entrepreneurship: building something real, one relationship at a time.
Jake Himmelstein, President of Bamko, joins Kings of Swag to share how he helped scale the company from $22M to nearly $400M in revenue. From global sourcing and sales culture to bold acquisitions and leadership lessons, Jake reveals what it takes to grow in the $30B promotional products industry.
Whether you’re a distributor, supplier, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, risk-taking, and building a thriving company culture.
In this episode of Kings of Swag, we go deep with Mitch Freed, CEO of Genumark, one of the top distributors in the promotional products industry.
Mitch shares how he stepped into his father’s role to lead Genumark, what succession looks like in a family-run distributor, and how he earned trust while making his own mark on the business. We cover his early years at the company, the handoff in 2022, and the strategies behind Genumark’s acquisitions and U.S. expansion.
We also talk about what it means to be a B Corp in promo, how sustainability and corporate responsibility play into client decisions, and where Mitch sees opportunities for growth over the next 3–5 years.
For anyone working in promo, this is a rare inside look at the leadership, strategy, and vision shaping one of the industry’s most important players.
⏱️ Timestamps
09:22–13:32 — Family business origins: Genumark’s early days
13:33–16:12 — Growing up in promo: inside perspective from the start
16:13–18:36 — Leadership lessons & industry benchmarks
18:37–20:21 — Why Mitch chose to join the business
20:22–23:09 — First role at Genumark: learning the ropes
23:10–25:03 — Succession dynamics in a distributor business
25:04–28:00 — 2022 CEO transition: keeping operations smooth
28:01–33:20 — Growth strategy: acquisitions & U.S. market entry
33:21–36:37 — Becoming a B Corp: sustainability in promo
36:38–42:32 — Genumark’s 3–5 year vision for the industry
#promotionalproducts
In this episode, we sit down with Jason Lucash’s, the serial entrepreneur behind OrigAudio (acquired by HPG) and now co-founder of Rupt– a bold new company redefining sustainability and design in promo.
We cover everything from the early hustle of launching a supplier brand, to the one-piece minimum revolution, to selling and scaling with HPG. Jason also opens up about startup vs. corporate culture, lessons from Shark Tank, and how his new venture is preparing for the future of the industry.If you care about entrepreneurship, promo innovation, and what’s next for branded products, this is a must-watch conversation.
00:00 – 00:12 | Meet Jason Lucash: Entrepreneur & Innovator
00:25 – 00:54 | The Origin Story: How OrigAudio Was Born
02:01 – 02:34 | From Retail Success to Promo Pivot
04:10 – 05:32 | Shark Tank Secrets (and What Really Happened)
06:12 – 07:48 | Breaking Into Promo: Trade Shows & Strategy
08:34 – 09:29 | One-Piece Minimums & Industry Disruption
10:42 – 12:22 | Selling to HPG & Life After Acquisition
13:38 – 14:13 | Why Startups Beat Giants at Innovation
15:02 – 16:00 | Bootstrapping vs. Fundraising: Lessons Learned
19:59 – 20:24 | The European Market Advantage
23:27 – 24:11 | Finding the Right Co-Founder Balance
26:32 – 27:13 | Why Austin Beats California for Logistics
28:15 – 29:05 | Mission Over Money: Building With Purpose
29:45 – 30:07 | The Future of Promo: Where We’re Headed
#Entrepreneurship #PromotionalProducts #StartupLife #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth
From Netflix to Sephora — Harper & Scott’s CEO reveals how to win the biggest clients in promo.In this episode of Kings of Swag, Jeremy Parker sits down with Michael Scott Cohen, co-founder and CEO of Harper & Scott — one of the most innovative agencies in the promotional products industry. From pitching $30M accounts to winning over brands like Netflix, Spotify, and Sephora, Michael shares the lessons, failures, and strategies that helped Harper & Scott redefine what branded merchandise can be.If you’re in the promotional products space and want to learn how to land bigger clients, stand out with custom creative, and future-proof your business in a crowded market, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.🔥 Don’t just sell products — learn how to build partnerships, embrace failure as growth, and thrive in the next era of swag.00:00 – 01:04 | Meet Michael Scott Cohen: Harper & Scott’s Story01:05 – 05:46 | Winning Big Clients: Netflix, Sephora & More05:47 – 12:03 | Process, Pricing & Turning Down Clients12:04 – 20:10 | Projects, Failures & Lessons from the Industry20:11 – 23:54 | The $30M Pitch That Changed Everything23:55 – 28:15 | When Failure Becomes Success28:16 – 33:46 | Partnerships, Co-Founders & Growth33:47 – 35:30 | Becoming a B-Corp in the Promo Industry35:31 – 39:05 | Where is the Industry Going?#PromotionalProducts #Swag #KingsOfSwag #Marketing #Entrepreneurship
In a world where every supplier seems to sell the same thing, how do you stand out? Jonathan Isaacson, Executive Chair of Gemline, reveals how his company rose above thousands of competitors to become one of the top suppliers in the promotional products industry. From ethical sourcing to B Corp certification, Jonathan shares the strategies, mindset, and partnerships that transformed Gemline into a market leader. Whether you’re in promo, retail, or any competitive field, this episode will change the way you think about differentiation.00:00 – 02:36 — Meet Jonathan Isaacson & the Gemline story02:37 – 05:05 — The origins: From family business to industry leader05:06 – 16:11 — Finding your niche in a crowded market16:12 – 22:38 — Expanding beyond the basics into high-impact products22:39 – 25:16 — Partnering with retail brands to create exclusives25:17 – 31:14 — Why design partnerships beat simple product sourcing31:15 – 37:40 — The power of ethical sourcing & becoming a B Corp37:41 – 43:58 — Standing for something in business43:59 – End — Final takeaways & future of the industry#BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #Branding #MarketingTips #PromoProducts #BusinessGrowth #Bcorp #Leadership
🎯 From Part-Time Finance to $200M+ Revenue: The Debbie Abergel Story
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Debbie Abergel, Chief Strategy Officer at Nadel, who transformed a struggling promotional products company into one of the industry's most sophisticated agencies. In this candid interview, Debbie shares her remarkable 25-year journey from a part-time finance role to driving 62% revenue growth and breaking the $100M barrier.
What You'll Learn:
• How to transition from "distributor" to "marketing agency" positioning
• The mindset shift that drove The Needle from $50M to $200M+ in revenue
• Why fear cripples growth and how to overcome industry limitations
• The evolution from commodity selling to strategic brand partnerships
• How COVID elevated the promotional products industry's legitimacy
• Building confidence through company culture and physical space design
0:00 - 2:30 - Introduction to Debbie's background
2:31 - 8:00 - Accidentally entering the promotional products industry
8:01 - 15:30 - Recognizing the industry's transformation potential
15:31 - 22:00 - Building Nadel into a premium agency
22:01 - 35:00 - The importance of confidence in client relationships
35:01 - 41:43 - Future opportunities in promotional products
Debbie's story proves that with vision, tenacity, and the right strategic approach, you can elevate any business—and an entire industry—to new heights. Whether you're a distributor looking to evolve, an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, or an industry professional wanting to understand where we're headed, this conversation offers invaluable insights.
About Debbie Abergel: Chief Strategy Officer at Nadel, instrumental in growing the company from under $50M to over $200M in annual revenue. Known for transforming Nadel from a traditional distributor into one of the promotional products industry's most respected marketing agencies.
🛎️ Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders who are reshaping promotional products and entrepreneurship.#PromotionalProducts #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #Leadership
Join entrepreneur Greg Muzzillo, who just announced his retirement as CEO and Founder of Proforma– as he reveals how he turned a $200 dream into a $650 million global franchise empire in the promo‑products industry. In this episode, Greg shares:→ The pivotal moments that sparked Proforma’s explosive growth→ How their unique franchise model gives members 10× the buying power→ Insider tips on technology, vendor relationships, and scaling sustainably→ The mindset shifts every promo‑product entrepreneur needs to thriveWhether you’re launching a promotional‑products business or looking to take your operation to the next level, these proven strategies will help you unlock faster growth and higher margins. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to never miss an episode!📈 Resources & Links► Proforma Franchise Info: https://proforma.com/franchise► Subscribe for more promotional products masterclasses!00:00:00 – 00:04:47 Origin Story: $200 Startup to $650M Empire00:04:47 – 00:11:33 Unlocking the Franchise Model Advantage00:11:33 – 00:17:35 Tech & Vendor Hacks for Rapid Scaling00:17:35 – 00:38:32 Mindset Shifts Every Promo‑Biz Needs00:38:32 – 41:40 Next‑Level Tips & Final Takeaways#promotionalproducts #entrepreneurship #hustle
Sharon Eyal built one of North America's largest promotional drinkware companies from scratch - growing from under $1M to over $100M in annual sales before selling to Polyconcept in 2019. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, he reveals:
⚡ What You'll Learn:
- How Sharon took over the family business at 20 with ZERO college education
- The counterintuitive strategy that doubled revenue during the 2008 financial crisis- Why focusing on ONE product category made them industry leaders
- The $3M legal battle with Swell that nearly destroyed everything- How he built a 600+ person company with minimal management structure
- The Microsoft-inspired culture that set them apart from competitors
💡 Key Moments:0:00 Introduction to Sharon's incredible journey14:00 Taking over at $1M revenue with 5 employees32:00 The risky bet during 2008 that paid off massively53:00 The Swell lawsuit bombshell that cost $3M to fight1:16:00 Why other industry leaders abandoned him during the lawsuit1:26:00 The $100M+ exit to Polyconcept
🎯 Perfect for:
Entrepreneurs building family businesses
Anyone in manufacturing or B2B sales
Business owners facing legal challenges
People interested in promotional products industry
Sharon's story proves that with relentless work ethic and smart strategy, you can build an empire without fancy degrees or connections. His transparency about the struggles, including a devastating lawsuit that almost ended everything, makes this essential viewing for any serious entrepreneur.Don't miss the part where he explains how 8 jurors could have destroyed his life's work...
Subscribe for more raw entrepreneurship stories and business insights!
#Entrepreneurship #BusinessStory #ManufacturingBusiness #FamilyBusiness #PromotionalProducts #SwagIndustry #BusinessExit #LegalBattle #StartupStory
Kings of Swag is your front-row ticket into 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.
