2 Regular Guys Podcast

With Aaron and Terry away at a trade show, Cassie Green from Apparelist steps in to co-host alongside Producer Erich Campbell for a conversation all about better color, stronger workflows, and getting more from PRINTING United Expo. Their guest is Shelby Sapusek of ColorCasters, a color management consultant and trainer, G7+ Expert, and two-time PRINTING United Expo All Star. Shelby helps print providers take the confusion out of color management and build practical systems that create more consistent, repeatable results. During the episode, Shelby will break down what a color management workflow really looks like, the common mistakes shops make, and the simple improvements decorators and print providers can start using right away. The conversation will also explore how changing printers, inks, software, and substrates are affecting color management, along with what shops should be paying attention to next. Shelby will also share details about the G7+ Exchange, her role as a PRINTING United Expo All Star, and how attendees can use the All Star program to navigate the Expo, find the right resources, and avoid feeling overwhelmed on the show floor.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Erich: As a cat dad, Aaron set me up with a special joke today-

Why are cats so good at video games?

Because they start with nine lives.

Erich: Welcome into the show Shelby. 

For those who haven’t met you yet, tell us about your journey into color management and what led you to become a G7+ Expert and now a two-time PRINTING United Expo All Star.

Cassie: Color management sounds intimidating to a lot of decorators and print providers. How do you explain it to someone who thinks it’s only for large commercial printers?

Erich: What are some of the biggest color management mistakes you see shops making today, and what’s one simple improvement they could implement this week?

Cassie: When you talk about a “color management workflow,” what does that really mean, and why should every print shop have one—even if they’re relatively small?

Erich: Technology keeps changing with new printers, inks, RIP software, and substrates. How has color management evolved over the past few years, and what should shops be paying attention to now?

Cassie: You’ll be speaking at the second G7+ Exchange before PRINTING United Expo. For listeners who may not know about it, what is the G7+ Exchange, and why is it worth attending?

Erich: What are you planning to share during your G7+ Exchange session, and what do you hope attendees walk away with?

Cassie: You’ve served as a PRINTING United Expo All Star for two years now. What exactly does an All Star do during the event, and why is that program such a valuable resource for attendees?

Erich: For someone attending PRINTING United Expo for the first time, how can they make the most of the All Stars and avoid feeling overwhelmed by everything happening on the show floor?

Cassie: If a shop owner or decorator could only focus on one color-related project over the next six months, what would give them the biggest return on their time and effort?

Erich: Where do you see color management heading in the next few years? Are there emerging trends or technologies that have you especially excited?

Cassie: As we wrap up, what’s one piece of advice you’d give every print professional before they head to PRINTING United Expo, and what are you personally most looking forward to at this year’s event?

Shelby: Links to include – iLearning+ at https://www.ilearningplus.org/ and of course to find me, ColorCasters.com

The Secret Sauce

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

Growth sounds exciting, but growing the wrong way can create more stress, smaller profits, and a business that controls your life. This week, Terry and Aaron welcome Colin Sinclair McDermott, The Online Print Coach, to explore the common mistakes print and apparel businesses make while trying to grow. Drawing from his experience running print companies, overcoming business failure, and coaching hundreds of industry professionals, Colin will share how owners can approach growth more strategically in today’s rapidly changing marketplace. We’ll discuss outdated sales and marketing habits, poor planning, inconsistent systems, customer relationships, accountability, and the difference between simply getting busier and building a stronger, more profitable business. Whether you are preparing to grow or already feeling the pains of expansion, this conversation will help you recognize the warning signs and make better decisions before expensive mistakes slow you down.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Terry: What dinosaur wakes up earliest?

The crackodon

Terry: Colin, welcome to the show. We stopped reading bios a while ago and just want to learn who you are from you as well as hear about your journey in the print industry.

“I’m Colin Sinclair McDermott, although most people know me as The Online Print Coach. I’ve spent over 25 years in the print industry. I’ve owned print businesses, franchised them, made plenty of mistakes myself and now I coach print, sign and garment decoration companies around the world.

What fascinates me isn’t printing presses—it’s business owners. Two companies can have the same equipment, same suppliers and operate in the same town, yet one is thriving while the other is struggling. The difference almost never comes down to print. It comes down to leadership, marketing, systems and mindset.

That’s why I created Print Mastermind—to stop owners from feeling like they’re having to figure everything out on their own.”

Aaron: Colin, when a print or apparel business starts growing, what are the earliest warning signs that the owner may be building more chaos instead of building a stronger company? 

The warning signs are:

Terry: What is the most common growth mistake you see owners make when sales begin increasing, and they suddenly feel pressure to add equipment, employees, or space?

Chasing more customers before looking after the ones they already have

Owner buys:

…before fixing:

Then your line:

“You don’t scale chaos.

You organise it first.”

Aaron: I often talk about the importance of getting clear on what success actually looks like before building a plan. How do you help owners define the kind of business they truly want, instead of simply chasing more revenue?

Refer to our meeting in Print Mastermind this week

“The first question I ask isn’t ‘What’s your turnover target?’

It’s ‘What do you actually want your life to look like?'”

Then discuss

Do they want

Then

“Too many owners build businesses they end up working for.”

Terry: How can an owner tell the difference between a temporary busy season and genuine, sustainable business growth?

Your answer should centre around predictable systems.

Busy means

Growth means – Knowing your numbers, tracking those top 6 KPI’s

Then

“Activity isn’t growth.

Predictability is.”

Aaron: One of the FUNdamentals I teach is knowing your numbers. Which financial numbers should owners watch most closely as they grow, and which numbers are commonly misunderstood or ignored?

Everyone watches turnover.

Almost nobody watches:

Terry: What outdated sales or marketing habits are still holding print businesses back in today’s marketplace?

Talk about the 8 stage customer journey I wish someone had taught me. 

Talk about

Waiting for referrals.

Waiting for the phone.

Thinking the website is enough.

Discounting.

Posting pictures of presses.

Then say

“Nobody buys print because you own a Heidelberg.

They buy because you solve a business problem.”

Aaron: Many small-business owners know what they should do, but they struggle to follow through consistently. How important are accountability, peer support, and mastermind-style conversations in turning good ideas into action?

“I’ve never met an owner who didn’t know what they should be doing.

The challenge is they’re trying to do it alone.”

Then

Isolation creates:

Community creates:

Terry: What mistakes do owners make when hiring their first employees or expanding their team, and how can they avoid creating a payroll problem instead of a growth solution?

“The biggest mistake I see is that owners hire because they’re overwhelmed, not because they’re ready.

They get busy, work starts backing up, customers are chasing orders, and they think, ‘I need another salesperson,’ or ‘I need another printer.’ The reality is they’re often hiring someone to step into chaos.

Before you hire anyone, I’d ask three questions:

First, have I actually defined what success in this role looks like? Too many job descriptions are just a list of tasks. I want to know: what outcomes should this person be responsible for?

Second, have I built a system that someone else can follow? If the only way a job gets done is by asking the owner every five minutes, the problem isn’t the employee, it’s the business.

And third, can the business genuinely afford this hire? Not because you’ve had one great month, but because your pipeline and cashflow support it.

Aaron: Another key FUNdamental is building the business around the customer. How can a company remain customer-focused while also setting boundaries, protecting profitability, and avoiding the temptation to say yes to every request?

Being customer-focused doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. Sam Armstrong

That’s a mistake a lot of print companies make. They confuse great service with being available 24/7, accepting every request, discounting to keep people happy, and taking on work they shouldn’t.

I’d answer it something like this:

“I think a lot of business owners misunderstand what customer-focused actually means. They think it means saying yes to every request, turning every quote around immediately, squeezing in every last-minute job and absorbing every extra cost. That’s not customer-focused, that’s owner-focused because you’re trying to avoid difficult conversations.

The best businesses I’ve worked with do something different. They build systems around what their ideal customers genuinely value.

Most customers don’t want you to be everything to everyone. They want you to be brilliant at solving their problem.”

Then I’d introduce a framework.

“Whenever a new request comes in, I’d ask three questions:

Does it fit our expertise?
Just because you can print it doesn’t mean you should.

Does it make commercial sense?
Revenue without profit is just expensive turnover.

Does it fit the experience we want to be known for?
If saying yes to this customer means letting five others down, then it’s probably the wrong decision.”

Terry: How should business owners decide which new opportunities deserve their attention and which ones are simply distractions disguised as growth?

Mission Statement – Does it link back

“Whenever one of my coaching clients comes to me with a new idea, I ask them three questions.

Does it move us closer to our long-term vision?
If your goal is to become the go-to trade printer, why are you thinking about opening a retail gift shop?

Will it strengthen what we’re already good at?
The most successful businesses I’ve worked with double down on their strengths. They don’t constantly chase shiny new ideas.

Can we execute it brilliantly without damaging what we’ve already built?
Because an average new service that distracts your team is often worse than doing your existing services exceptionally well.”

Aaron: Owners are often so close to their businesses that they cannot see their own blind spots. What role can a coach, mastermind group, or trusted group of peers play in helping them make better decisions?

“I think every business owner has blind spots. I certainly do. The problem is that when you’re in the business every day, every decision feels urgent and every problem feels unique.

When you’re carrying the payroll, dealing with customers, suppliers and staff, it’s very easy to start making emotional decisions instead of strategic ones.”

That immediately makes you relatable instead of positioning yourself as the expert with all the answers.

Then I’d move into this:

“One of the biggest values of a coach or a mastermind isn’t that they give you the answers. It’s that they ask the questions you’ve stopped asking yourself.

Questions like:

Why are you doing it that way?

What evidence do you have that this is the right decision?

If you were starting this business today, would you build it this way?

Those questions force you to think differently.”

I think that’s much more powerful than saying “a coach keeps you accountable.”

This sounds very much like you.

“I’ve had owners come into a coaching session convinced they need to spend £300,000 on a new press. Forty-five minutes later they’ve realised the real problem wasn’t capacity—it was pricing, scheduling or sales.

The machine wasn’t the answer. It just felt like the answer because it was the most obvious thing they could see.”

That’s a brilliant illustration of blind spots.

“The other thing I love about mastermind groups is that they shorten the learning curve.

Instead of making every mistake yourself, you’re learning from people who’ve already made them.

Somebody else has already hired the wrong salesperson.

Bought the wrong machine.

Lost money on that new product line.

You’re getting years of experience in one conversation.”

That’s a really tangible benefit.

I’d end with this:

“I don’t think business owners need someone to tell them what to do. They need someone who challenges their thinking, helps them see what they’re missing and gives them the confidence to make better decisions.

Sometimes the most valuable thing a coach says isn’t ‘Here’s the answer.’

It’s ‘Have you looked at it from this angle?'”

Terry: For the owner listening today who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about the next stage of growth, what is one step they can take this week to begin moving forward with greater clarity? 

“The first thing I’d say is that feeling stuck doesn’t necessarily mean you’re failing. In fact, I think most successful business owners feel stuck at some point because they’ve outgrown the way they’ve always done things.

The mistake we make is trying to solve overwhelm by working harder. But clarity rarely comes from doing more—it comes from stepping back.” Refer to Simon and his camper van story

Then I’d introduce a really simple exercise.

“I’d block out just one hour this week. Leave your office if you can. No emails, no phone, no interruptions.

Then ask yourself three questions:

What’s giving me energy?

What’s draining my energy?

If I could only fix one thing in my business over the next 90 days, what would it be?

Not ten things. Just one.”

I like this because it sounds like something you’d genuinely do with a client.

Then explain why.

“I think business owners massively underestimate the power of focus. Every breakthrough I’ve seen has come from someone deciding what they’re not going to work on as much as what they are.”

Then I’d bring in one of your coaching philosophies.

“You don’t have to solve your whole business this week. You just need to identify the bottleneck that’s holding everything else back.

Aaron: We are all excited about the upcoming Printing United event coming up. I get to be part of the All-Star group with you as the captain of the team. What are you most excited about as an All-Star for Printing United?

Never been to Vegas, 

The platform it gives us to connect and engage with so many people at the event

catching up with all the All Stars in person, so much chat ongoing since last year

The All Star area we have this year

The New Rookies 

Terry: Where can people reach out to you and learn more about what you do, and where should people reach out to learn more about Printing United?

The Secret Sauce

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

Sustainability is becoming a bigger part of doing business in the promotional products industry, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. This week, Aaron and Terry welcome Liz Wimbush, PPAI’s Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, to help make the topic practical and easier to understand. Liz shares how PPAI is supporting members at every stage of their sustainability journey, from businesses just getting started to those already leading the way. The conversation covers available tools and education, the Carbon Intensity Study, packaging Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, emerging textile legislation and the upcoming PPAI Responsibility Summit. Whether you are a supplier, distributor, or decorator, this episode will help you better understand what sustainability means for your business, what changes may be coming, and what steps you can begin taking now.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Aaron: How does NASA organize a party?

They planet

Planet = Plan It

Aaron: Liz, before we dive into the details, tell us a little about your role at PPAI and how you became passionate about sustainability in the promotional products industry.

Terry: “Sustainability” is one of those words that gets used a lot these days. When we talk about sustainability in the branded merchandise industry, what does it actually mean?

Aaron: Why has sustainability become such an important focus for the promotional products industry, and why has PPAI made it a strategic priority?

Terry: For distributors and suppliers who want to improve but don’t know where to start, what sustainability resources and tools does PPAI offer to help members?

Aaron: One topic you’ve been discussing lately is carbon intensity. Can you explain what the Carbon Intensity Study is, why it matters, and what businesses can expect to learn from it?

Terry: Regulations around sustainability seem to be changing quickly. What’s the biggest new regulation our audience should be paying attention to right now?

When Printing In-House Starts to Make Sense

Aaron: You’ve mentioned Extended Producer Responsibility, or EPR, particularly around packaging. What is it, and why should both suppliers and distributors understand how it could affect their businesses?

Terry: Looking ahead, are there any emerging regulations—such as textile EPR—that you think our industry should start preparing for now?

Aaron: PPAI has the Responsibility Summit coming up in September. Who is this event designed for, and what can attendees expect to take away from it?

Terry: For someone who’s never attended the Responsibility Summit before, what makes it worth adding to their calendar this year?

Aaron: What projects or initiatives are you personally working on right now that have you most excited about the future of sustainability in our industry?

Terry: If you could leave our audience with one practical piece of advice—something distributors or suppliers could start doing this week to become more sustainable or better prepared for what’s coming—what would it be?

Aaron: How can our listeners reach out to you?
PPAI Sustainability Hub
Responsibility Summit Event Page
Comparative Carbon Per Impressions Study
WAP Sustainability Research Articles: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 – three more coming! 
My LinkedIn profile
PPAI’s 5 Year Strategic Plan details – with sustainability as a ‘priority lane’.

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

Is it time to buy a DTF printer, or are you better off continuing to outsource your transfers? In this episode, Terry and Aaron look at the decision from both sides. Terry brings the production perspective, while Aaron focuses on the numbers, cash flow, and business planning behind the investment. They will discuss order volume, staffing, available space, maintenance, turnaround time, equipment costs, and the real impact of downtime. They will also explain why the best answer may not be choosing one option over the other. For many decorators, a hybrid approach can provide the right balance of control, flexibility, and backup capacity. Before you invest in equipment or assume outsourcing is holding you back, this conversation will help you understand what factors should drive the decision.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Terry: I told my grandson when I was his age, I used to get 10 CDs in the mail for a penny.

I don’t know if he thought I was lying about what a CD was, what a penny was, or what the mail was.

Aaron: Excited about this discussion. I have been out at the trade show over the last year or so with SuperGamut, but spend much of my time teaching business topics. Over the last several shows, it has been great to see you back out talking to people, and we are hearing some interesting things.

Terry: 

Why are we suited to have this discussion (with the Regulators’ help)

We both work closely with decorators at different stages, from startups to established production shops.

Start With the Heat Press

When Outsourcing DTF Transfers Makes Sense

When Printing In-House Starts to Make Sense

Know the Real Numbers

(Show Calculator On Screen)

The Hidden Costs of Printing In-House

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

The lines between commercial printing and apparel decoration are disappearing. More customers want one trusted partner who can provide everything from business cards and brochures to branded apparel, signage, and promotional products. So where does that leave today’s apparel decorator? This week, Aaron and Terry welcome print industry veteran Mark Pomerantz, founder of SalesWisdom, to explore what apparel decorators can learn from the world of print sales. With more than 40 years of experience helping print professionals grow their businesses, Mark shares practical sales strategies, relationship-building techniques, and ideas for expanding your offerings without losing focus. We’ll also discuss why print and apparel are converging, what that means heading into PRINTING United Expo, and how decorators can position themselves as complete branding partners. If you’ve ever wondered whether adding print could grow your business, this episode is for you.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Aaron: What do you call a chicken staring at some lettuce?

A chicken sees a salad.

(Chicken Caesar Salad)

Terry: Welcome Mark! We gave up reading carefully crafted bios a while ago and just like to learn directly from our guests about who they are. Tell us about your journey in the print industry.

Aaron: Mark, you’ve spent more than 40 years in the print industry. What changes have surprised you the most, and what fundamentals of selling have stayed exactly the same?

Terry: Many apparel decorators are excellent craftspeople but reluctant salespeople. What’s the biggest mindset shift they need to make to become better at sales?

Aaron: In one of your blogs, I believe it is where I read this, you said: ” We should bet on ourselves.” What does that actually look like for a small shop owner who’s trying to grow?

Terry: A lot of decorators wait for customers to tell them what they want. How can they become trusted advisors instead of order takers? 

Aaron: We’re seeing commercial print and apparel decoration overlap more than ever. Why do you think those industries are converging?

Terry: If an apparel decorator wanted to start offering print products, where would you recommend they begin without becoming overwhelmed?

Aaron: What questions should decorators ask every customer that they’re probably not asking today?

Terry: You’ve worked with countless sales professionals. What’s one habit that consistently separates top performers from average salespeople?

Aaron: Many decorators worry they’ll come across as “pushy.” How do you help people become more confident about asking for additional business?

Terry: What are some opportunities decorators miss because they’re focused only on the shirt instead of the customer’s overall brand?

Aaron: With PRINTING United Expo bringing together every segment of our industry, what should apparel decorators be looking for beyond the latest equipment?

Terry: As we wrap up, if every listener could make just one change to their sales process this month, what would you tell them to do?

Terry: Thanks for your time. Where can people learn more about what you do and where should they connect with you? 

Our website https://saleswisdom.net/  

Our YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/@WiseOwlMark 

My Blog on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpomerantz/recent-activity/articles/ 

My LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpomerantz/

And be sure to find me at Printing United Expo 2026 in Las Vegas NV, Sept 23-25 so we can meet IRL!

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

As print shops grow, the problem is rarely just getting more orders. The real challenge is keeping production, inventory, shipping, and online sales from turning into a pile of disconnected systems and manual work. This week, Terry and Aaron welcome back Michael Thero of Pythias Technologies to talk about what modern fulfillment can teach every decorator. We’ll look at how automation, marketplace integrations, inventory tracking, order routing, and better production workflows can help shops save time, reduce mistakes, and open the door to new revenue opportunities. If you have ever wondered how smaller shops can compete in print-on-demand, become fulfillment partners, or scale without simply adding more people and more stress, this conversation will give you practical ideas to think through before your next stage of growth.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Aaron: Did you hear about the famous pickle?

He is a really big dill. (deal)

Terry: Welcome back! Remind us of the journey into the commerce and fulfillment space in the apparel decorating world.

Aaron: Michael, before we get into tools or platforms, what are the biggest signs that a print shop has outgrown its current way of managing orders, production, inventory, and shipping?

Terry: A lot of shops grow by saying yes to more work. Where does that start to create problems behind the scenes?

Aaron: When you look at a shop that feels chaotic, what are usually the first workflow issues you try to identify?

Terry: We hear a lot about automation, but that word can feel big and expensive. What are some simple things a decorator can automate first without turning their whole business upside down?

Aaron: How should a shop owner decide what should be automated and what should still be handled by a person?

Terry: Inventory can be a major pain point for decorators. What are some common inventory mistakes that create delays, misprints, or lost profit?

Aaron: For shops selling online, what do they need to understand about connecting their store, production workflow, and shipping process?

Terry: What should a smaller shop know before trying to sell through multiple marketplaces or multiple online stores?

Terry: AI is showing up everywhere right now. Where do you see AI being genuinely useful in custom apparel fulfillment, and where should shop owners be careful?

Aaron: How can smaller shops compete with larger fulfillment providers without racing to the bottom on price?

Terry: When a shop owner is looking at software or automation tools, what questions should they ask before they buy anything?

Aaron: For the shop owner listening who knows they need to clean up their workflow but feels overwhelmed, what can your program help them improve?

Terry: How can our listeners reach out to you?

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

This week on 2 Regular Guys, it’s a Takeup Takeover as Erich Campbell jumps on the mic to talk with the excellent embroidery educator Lisa Shaw about their experience educating new embroiderers online and on the tradeshow circuit. Join Erich and Lisa to discuss the most common mistakes and assumptions made by beginner embroiderers, the advice they’d give to anyone just starting out, and what beginners can expect from embroidery education both in the commercial and craft show spaces. They’ll talk about the embroidery innovation and creations they are seeing in the space and what they think embroiderers should be looking for when they want education, inspiration, and direction, and what the benefits of being present for in-person education can bring. Join these embroidery friends and be part of the discussion!

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Erich: I know the boys were really counting on me to keep up the dad jokes, but I’ve been so busy with everything this week that I really found myself in a tight spot. I’ve been digitizing at all hours and sewing samples- now my stash of patch twill is completely gone. In short, I’d love to deliver today, but frankly, I’ve run out of material  – Twill. Fabric. Material. Ehhh, you get it.

Introduction

Erich: We’ve long done away with the prepared Bio read, but for those of you who don’t know you, give us a brief thumbnail about how you came to be in the business of embroidery?

Topic: Beginners First Q’s

Erich: What do beginners usually come to you hoping to learn first?

Erich: What do you think are the most common pitfalls or perhaps poor assumptions that plague beginners in embroidery?

Erich: What surprised you most about the mindset of your first students as you started to teach?

Erich: How do you think the early mindset differs between craft-focused or craft-first embroiderers and the folks on the commercial side of the spectrum?

Topic: Best Beginner Advice / Actionable First Steps

Erich: What would you tell someone to do on day one with their first embroidery machine?

Erich: What are the first three skills every embroiderer should develop?

Erich: What is the most important thing to keep in mind about our medium?

Topic: Embroidery Education and Events

Erich: Why do you think embroidery education is important for beginners? What role should it play?

Erich: How do you see the difference between Online and In-Person education? What does each do best?

Erich: What is important to look for in an educator or in a session? What are some red flags for evaluating educational resources in general?

Erich: What role does community play in embroidery education?

Erich: What is the top payoff of attending in-person events?

Erich: How do you think embroiderers should prepare for in-person events and education?

Topic: Developments and Trends

Erich: What embroidery innovations are you most excited about right now?

Erich:  What kinds of projects are inspiring beginners today?

Erich: Are there trends that beginners should approach carefully?

Erich: How can embroiderers experiment creatively while still learning good fundamentals?

Conclusion and Outro

Erich: What’s your one final piece of advice for new embroiderers?

Erich: Where can our listeners find you if they’d like to learn more?

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

This week on 2 Regular Guys, Aaron interviews Terry about one of the most common tension points in any decorated apparel business: the relationship between Sales and Production. Sales wants to keep customers happy, Production wants to keep the schedule realistic, and somewhere in the middle is a team trying to get quality work out the door on time. Terry has lived on both sides of this conversation, so he’ll share practical ways shops can reduce finger-pointing, improve communication, and build a culture where Sales and Production stop battling each other and start working like one team.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Terry: I was driving past a cemetery this morning and saw a man walking around. I shouted, “Morning!”

He replied, “No, just walking the dog.” 

Morning – Mourning – Cemetery

Aaron: Terry, you’ve lived on both sides of this street. I’m going to guess from the title: Production vs Sales. Can’t we all just be friends… There are issues between these departments. What are some of the conflicts you’ve seen?

One big rift forms because many times production is in the building every day, but many times sales reps are working outside the facility. Sometimes entirely remote. There’s little to no face-to-face interaction.

Production says:

Aaron: How about Sales? What’s their version of this story?

Sales says:

They hate us.

They don’t have a clue what we do here.

Sometimes we all need to jump through hoops to keep customers happy.

Sales should control the production schedule since we live in the sales trenches and know what should go next.

Production just follows the list without understanding priorities.

Aaron: I’m gonna guess you don’t think Sales should control the production schedule.

Aaron: You’ve talked about sales and the production schedule before. What’s the solution you came up with to make everyone basically happy?

Aaron: Well, you’ve lived this; what do you do about it?

Aaron: You have to have an example of a lack of communication.

Aaron: What are some other ideas for a happy workplace?

We’re all working toward the same goal, but we’re looking at the best way to accomplish the task through the lens of our own departments. It’s your job as the owner or manager to help everyone view the big picture.

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

Print On Demand sounds simple: sell the product, decorate it when ordered, and ship it out. But for apparel decorators, the reality can quickly become messy if there is no system behind it. This week, Terry and Aaron welcome David Conner from STAHLS’ Fulfill Engine to talk about what is actually working in POD for small shops, decorators, and distributors. David has been involved in Print On Demand since 2014 and has seen it evolve from manual setup and storefront headaches into smarter fulfillment workflows. We’ll talk about where POD fits, where shops get into trouble, and how to build focused, profitable programs without chasing chaos. Whether you are already running online stores, thinking about POD, working with team shops, supporting corporate merch, or just wondering if this model belongs in your business, this episode will help you think more clearly about the systems, pricing, products, and customers that make Print On Demand work.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Aaron: I can’t believe someone came into my house and stole all my fruit

I am peachless

Terry: Welcome to the show. We stopped doing curated bios years ago. We like to learn about people from the horse’s mouth, so to speak. Tell us about you and your journey in the industry to where you are now.

Aaron: Start us off with your definition of what print on demand means as it relates to apparel decorators and why our listeners should be paying attention.

Terry: From the production side, what are the biggest mistakes shops make when they try to run one-off orders through a workflow built for bulk?

Aaron: What kinds of customers or markets are best suited for POD?

What would you say the best options/applications are for hats when it comes to full color process art?

Terry: What has changed since your early days manually creating SKUs, mockups, and samples?

@ramonamckee5367  YES!! Get your creation time paid in advance – you can apply it towards an order – and if they don’t order, your time is paid for!

Aaron: Tell us about FulFill Engine, and how our listeners that want more information can connect with you.

Does anyone within your network work with printing on metal?

When outsourcing through Stahls and dealing with suppliers in the network, what options for ordering are there in addition to connecting your website and using a subdomain?

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.

Last week, Aaron and Terry opened up the conversation around niche market ideas for DTF printers, and as usually happens with a good 2 Regular Guys topic, they only made it through a handful of the ideas. This week, Erich Campbell jumps in with Terry while Aaron is away at DAX Tampa to keep the conversation going. They’ll pick up where the first show left off and explore more niche market opportunities DTF printers can use to stand out, create clearer offers, and serve specific customers better. From overlooked customer groups to smart ways decorators can use DTF transfers to expand what they already offer, this episode is all about finding focused opportunities instead of trying to be everything to everyone. Whether you print DTF in-house, buy transfers, or use other decoration methods, these ideas will help you think differently about markets, messaging, and profitable growth.

Your business doesn’t need more tasks. It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.

The Business Builder Accelerator is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on.

Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call –> OSG.link/Builder

If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”

Terry: There’s an island off the coast of Italy with 5 million Sicilians

That’s the biggest number I’ve ever heard

5 million-sicilian

Terry: I’ll repeat what Aaron shared before we jumped in last week. DTF is not the niche by itself. DTF is not really a niche anymore. It is a production method. The niche is who you serve with it and what problem you solve for them. Are you helping gyms launch merch drops? Are you helping trades businesses outfit crews quickly? Are you supporting school spirit stores? Are you creating easy reorder programs for small brands? That is where the opportunity gets clearer. So let’s dive into as many ideas as we can get there today.

As always with our niche market discussions, we’re not suggesting you pick number 5 and run with it. We’re attempting to stimulate thoughts and ideas about your passions and opportunities

The niche is not DTF. DTF is the tool. The niche is the customer group, the unmet need, and the way you package the solution.

We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our ‘Secret Sauce’ for insights that can help you soar.