Promokitchen Podcast

What’s the difference between building an audience and cultivating a community? Join Jay Busselle, Renya Nelson, and Roger Burnett as they explore the power of community, trust, and purpose-driven branding in the promo industry. Featuring the story behind the "We Make the Future" mural — and why being nice is punk rock.

The future of the print, promo, and apparel industry is shaped by the next generation and the leaders who embrace them. In this special episode of Meet Us in the Kitchen, Kate Alavez, President of PromoShop, hosts a candid conversation on how to recruit, nurture, and empower emerging talent. Joined by Victoria Ramos from PromoShop and Chris Perry from University Tees, the discussion dives into shifting values, workplace expectations, and what it takes to create an environment where young professionals thrive.

If there’s one harder than a Monday morning without coffee, it’s learning to say no. But according to the brilliant minds of Robert Fiveash (Brand Fuel), Brenda Speirs (Buzztag), and Denise Taschereau (Fairware), mastering the art of the well-placed ‘no’ is a game-changer in business and life. PromoKitchen’s latest conversation, led by Jay Busselle, dove into why saying no isn’t about rejection; it’s about strategy, values, and survival in the promotional products and branded merch industry.

Welcome to the latest episode of Meet Us in the Kitchen, PromoKitchen’s vibrant hub for serving up the freshest ideas in the promo industry! In this episode, we dove into the spicy topic of work-life balance—or, as our guests prefer to call it, work-life harmony. We gathered an inspiring group of leaders—Kate Alavez, Jodie Schillinger, and Kenny Ved—to share their recipes for fostering happiness and engagement in the workplace. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about balance—it’s about flavor!

Branding Insights: When Is It Time to Rebrand? Part 1 by PromoKitchen

Join us for part 2 of this episode of Meet Us In The Kitchen Episode! Jay Busselle is joined by Carson Roncketto, Bobby Lehew, and Cola Henderson. This episode guarantees a blend of expertise, insight and fresh perspectives on brands, branding and when is the right time for a re-brand.

In this episode of Meet Us in the Kitchen, our panel of “Promo Pros” dives deep into the relevance of trade shows. Are trade shows still relevant in the age of Zoom meetings and virtual events? Are in-person events still worth the investment of time and money? What are the biggest benefits? As one guest puts it, "Trade shows aren’t just about products anymore—they’re about relationships. You can’t replace face-to-face experiences with a Zoom call." Hear from industry experts as they share their insights, discuss the changing landscape of in-person events, and debate the future of trade shows in a digital age. Whether you're a trade show veteran or a skeptic, this conversation offers tasty insights for anyone navigating the pros and cons of attending or exhibiting.

Ready to spice things up? Welcome to "MEET US IN THE KITCHEN," PromoKitchen’s new bi-weekly educational series where we whip up fresh discussions, simmer on diverse ideas, and share custom recipes for success! Every 20-30 minute episode is packed with surprise ingredients, secret sauces, and a mix of seasoned chefs. We’re cooking up actionable strategies, stirring lively chats with fresh voices, and sprinkling in a few surprise guests in the kitchen. Join us for a flavorful experience that’ll leave you hungry for more! #PromoKitchen #MeetUsInTheKitchen #CookingUpSuccess #SpicyConversations

Join Jenna Quaranta & Johanna Gottlieb for the latest episode of the JQ & JO Show.

Join Jenna Quaranta & Johanna Gottlieb on the latest episode of the JQ & JO Show.

Join JQ & JO on the newest episode of the JQ & JO Show

This month Johanna Gottlieb and Jenna Quaranta touch on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: How to shake off self-doubt and confidently present your value in prospecting.

In this month's episode, Jenna Quaranta & Johanna Gottlieb chat about how to handle burnout during the prospecting process.

Ever had a client ghost you? If so check out the series premiere of the JQ & JO Show, Jenna Quaranta (HPG) and Johanna Gottlieb (Genumark) share their inspiration for starting this new series, and all their tips and tricks for responding to a client ghosting.

Dave Jacobs started The Positive Side in honor of his late father, he works with his sister Marian who is the founder of Logo Droppers a distributorship located in Las Vegas. See how they intertwine promos & positivity in this podcast episode hosted by PromoKitchens Executive Chair Ashley Colautti!

In this third episode of the PromoKitchen Podcast Mentorship Series, Jay Busselle connects with Ashley Colautti and Bill Petrie about their experience with the PK Mentorship Program. They discuss the pairing, what worked for them and what didn’t, and what a good mentorship relationship looks like.

Welcome to the Mentorship Series of the PK Podcast! In this series we will be talking about one of our core pillars and share success stories from mentors and mentees that have been through the program. In today's episode PK Chef Jay Busselle connects with colleagues and chefs Carson Roncketto and Robert Fiveash. Both Carson and Robert have played pivotal roles with PromoKitchen, with Carson serving as chair of the Mentorship Committee and Robert as founding member and past president. These two superstars have huge hearts for helping and have been instrumental in reshaping the mentor program and helping it grow into the success it is today.

Welcome to the Mentorship Series of the PK Podcast! In this series we will be talking about one of our core pillars and share success stories from mentors and mentees that have been through the program. In today's episode Jay Busselle connects with Russell Bird and Tyler Merriam about their experience with the program. Listen in! Ready to become part of the mentorship program yourself - either as a mentor or mentee? Visit promokitchen.org and click on mentorship to get started today!

What does Sustainability mean to you and what steps are you and your organization taking around it? In this episode Kate Plummer, Clearmount and Johanna Gottlieb, HALO, talk to Matt Hare, with HIT Promotional about how HIT, Matt and his colleague Natalie Sheffey are all in on Sustainability. We learn about their reporting, how they got started and where they are headed. As a major industry supplier it is a fascinating listen to hear how a company of this size is committed and open to change.

So far PromoCares has created two different '4 Good Fundraisers' that have raised close to 90K to date. This episode of the PromoKitchen podcast talks about the newest campaign in collaboration with Planet Water and the Water4Good campaign centered around World Water Day. Listen in to learn about why PromoCares has taken on the challenge of providing clean water and how our industry effects has an effect on water sources around the world. You'll also hear how you can get involved as a supplier, how you can get involved as a distributor – and connect your clients and brand to the campaign.