This week, we welcome back Dean Biscan to talk about a powerful opportunity many apparel decorators and promo shops are overlooking: employee appreciation and retention programs. While your customers are struggling to retain good people, there’s a real opportunity for you to step in as a strategic partner rather than just another vendor. Dean shares why this is becoming a major focus for businesses right now and how shops can position branded merchandise as more than just swag. We break down how to turn appreciation into a meaningful experience, build programs that drive real results for your clients, and show how this approach can open new revenue streams with customers you already have. If you’re looking for a simple, high-value way to stand out in your market, strengthen client relationships, and grow your business without adding new equipment, this conversation will give you a clear path forward.

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: Did you know you can actually major in Dad Jokes at college?

Yeah, you can get a Bachelor’s Degree in Sigh-cology.

Aaron: You were on recently, just give us a recap of what you’re doing right now in the industry.

Terry: Employee Appreciation and Retention… give us the “Why?” from the standpoint of your customers.

Aaron: So what we’re talking about here is how a decorator can help other businesses with their Employee Appreciation and Retention

Terry: Why should apparel and promo shops be talking about employee retention and appreciation with their clients right now as a sales tool?

Aaron: How can shops position branded merchandise as a strategic retention tool instead of just another swag order?

Terry: How can appreciation programs become a true differentiator for shops in their local market?

Aaron: How do you position yourself as a partner versus just another vendor?

Terry: Give us some specific examples of decorated items you would use in a program like this.

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, we’re joined by Stephanie Young of Sostephaniesays to talk about one of the biggest opportunities in apparel decoration right now, adding mixed media to your lineup. From embroidery to vinyl to sublimation and beyond, Stephanie shares how combining techniques can elevate your products, increase perceived value, and open the door to higher profits. We’ll also dig into why staying adaptable in a changing industry matters more than ever, and how ongoing education and creative inspiration can directly impact your bottom line. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your offerings, this episode will give you practical ideas and the confidence to start mixing things up.

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: On St Patrick’s Day I saw a leprechaun pushing a little wheelbarrow full of four leaf clovers

I thought, “That guy is really pushing his luck.”

Aaron: Let’s start with your journey. How did you get into mixing embroidery, vinyl, and sublimation, and what made you lean into teaching others?

Terry: For someone hearing “mixed media” and feeling a little overwhelmed, how would you define it in a simple, approachable way?

Aaron: What was one of the first mixed media projects you created where you realized, “Okay, this adds real value”?

Terry: From a customer perspective, why do mixed media designs tend to command higher prices or stand out more?

Aaron: Can you walk us through a couple of your favorite project examples and explain what makes them work so well?

Terry: For decorators who are currently focused on just one method, what’s the easiest way to start incorporating a second process without overcomplicating things?

Aaron: How does offering mixed media help shops stay adaptable as trends and customer expectations continue to shift?

Terry: You spend a lot of time teaching and inspiring others. How have you seen education directly translate into more revenue or better opportunities for decorators?

Aaron: Asking for a friend here… A lot of people get stuck in “I’m not creative enough” or “I might mess this up.” What advice do you have for getting past that fear and just starting?

Terry: If someone listening today wanted to take action this week, what’s one simple mixed media idea or experiment they could try to begin adding value right away?

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.

AI is everywhere right now, but most small business owners are still asking the same question: how do I actually use it in my day-to-day work? In this episode of 2 Regular Guys, Aaron and Terry talk about practical, real-world ways AI can help apparel decorators and product professionals save time without replacing the craftsmanship and relationships that make great businesses work. From documenting processes and organizing SOPs to writing customer communication and clearing mental clutter, we explore simple ways AI can act like a time-saving assistant instead of a complicated tech project. If you’ve been curious about AI but unsure where it actually fits into your shop, this conversation will give you practical ideas you can start using right away.

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: You know it’s Friday the 13th and I had a horrible dream last night.

I dreamt that a horse in armor was chasing me. It was a Knightmare.

The Reality of a Small Business Day / Where AI Might Fit
The press just stopped, emails still need answers, pricing needs updating, SOPs are still not written. This sets the stage for why owners feel overwhelmed.

The Big Myth About AI
Everyone says AI will “save your business.” That expectation creates disappointment. AI cannot fix pricing, relationships, positioning, or craftsmanship.

The Real Promise of AI
AI does something much simpler but incredibly valuable. It saves time by organizing messy thinking and removing the blank-page problem.

Why Most Owners Get Stuck with Documentation
Many shops know they need SOPs and processes documented, but everything lives in the owner’s head. Writing it down feels overwhelming.

Using AI to Turn Messy Notes into Structure
Describe the example from the article. Record messy explanations, dump them into AI, and let it create a structured first draft of your SOP.

AI Did Not Create the Process
This is an important philosophical point. The owner still created the system. AI simply organized the information faster.

Production Clarity for Customer Questions
Shops answer the same questions repeatedly: file requirements, turnaround times, pricing explanations. AI can clean up your explanations and turn them into reusable templates.

Operational Support with Pricing Analysis
AI should not set your prices, but it can help organize your numbers and surface inconsistencies in your pricing tiers.

Marketing Momentum
Writing product descriptions or marketing copy gets exhausting after the hundredth time. AI helps generate drafts so you are editing instead of starting from scratch.

Cleaning Up Confusing Customer Requests
One of the most practical uses. Paste a messy customer email into AI and ask it to produce a clear job brief with product, quantity, deadline, and missing details.

Reducing Expensive Miscommunication
When AI organizes information before production, it prevents errors that cost real money like wrong garments, misunderstood deadlines, or unclear specs.

The Key Skill: Better Inputs Create Better Outputs
The article’s refrigerator example illustrates this well. Specific instructions produce dramatically better results than vague prompts.

AI as a Thinking Partner, Not the Final Draft
AI should never be the final output. It is a starting point that helps clear mental clutter so owners can focus on relationships, craftsmanship, and serving customers.

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.

Most people assume digital advertising is the more sustainable marketing choice. But a new industry study suggests the story might be more complicated. This week on 2 Regular Guys, we welcome Theresa Hegel, Executive Editor for Special Projects and Sustainability at ASI, to discuss the findings from a major CO₂ impact study commissioned by ASI and PPAI. The research looked at the carbon footprint of promotional products compared to other forms of advertising and uncovered some surprising results around longevity, memorability, and environmental impact. Theresa walks us through the key findings, explains how the study gathered and analyzed the data, and shares what these insights could mean for the future of sustainability in the promotional products industry. Join us as we explore the data and discuss how decorators and distributors can think differently about the environmental impact of branded merchandise.

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: Did you know there are only 12 seconds (2nds) in a year?

There’s January 2nd… February 2nd… March 2nd…

Aaron: Welcome to the show as a guest. We have been loving having you bring us news on a regular basis from your work with ASI. Give us the quick rundown of who you are and what you do.

I’m the executive editor of special projects and sustainability at ASI. I’ve been at ASI for 12 years, and I write about a variety of topics, with a focus on apparel, apparel decoration and sustainability. I started out in daily newspapers – highlights of my career include writing about a bedbug-sniffing dog, profiling a legally blind art teacher and following a local ghost-hunting group on a research trip to a cemetery at midnight.

Terry: Let’s start at the beginning. What led ASI and PPAI to commission this CO₂ impact study in the first place?

Promo products often get a bad rap as “trinkets and trash,” and we’ve seen some “anti-swag sentiment,” particularly on social media, with people complaining about promo’s perceived carbon impact. But up until now, there hasn’t really been any concrete data showing how promo stacked up compared to other forms of advertising.

In order to combat people’s misconceptions about our industry, it’s important that we arm our members with real data they can use in sales conversations or when establishing themselves as thought leaders online. ASI and PPAI have always done a good job with gathering and crunching other kinds of data (ad impressions, state of the industry, etc.) but in some ways, sustainability-specific data has been a gap.

Also, it was important for us to use a third party to conduct this study for impartiality. We knew the results might not be exactly what we wanted to hear, but we were prepared to share them whatever the outcome was.

Aaron: Before we get into the numbers, can you give us the big picture? What question was this research trying to answer for the promotional products industry?

The big picture is that we needed to establish an industry baseline. Until we measure how carbon intensive promo as a whole is, how can we address the impact? As I mentioned before, we also wanted to give our members some concrete data they can use to answer questions and concerns about the sustainability of the promo industry.

We compared promo to five other advertising mediums: out of home (billboards and signage); digital advertising; radio; TV and print advertising, and looked at factors such as carbon impact per memorized impression (brand recall tied to a particular advertising channel), carbon impact per media campaign and carbon impact per dollar spent). 

Terry: What were some of the most surprising or headline findings that came out of the study?

We didn’t really know what the study was going to say, so it was really exciting to find out that by most measures promo had the second-lowest carbon impact of all advertising channels. Billboards and other “out of home” advertising were the only channel with a lower carbon impact. 

For instance promo generates .56 grams of carbon equivalent per memorized impression, according to the combined U.S. and European data we gathered, whereas out of home is just under that figure with 0.54g grams of carbon equivalent per memorized impression. Digital advertising is 4.57g of carbon equivalent per memorized impression – 8 times higher than promo.

(Grams and metric tons of CO2 equivalent is a standard unit of measure in carbon reporting. Though carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, there are many others associated with climate change, so to streamline and simplify reporting, all emissions are generally converted into that “equivalent” figure.)

Aaron: One of the stats that really stands out is that promo’s carbon impact per memorized impression is eight times smaller than digital advertising. Can you unpack what that actually means?

Yes, I think that’s something that surprises a lot of people. After all, promo products are physical, tangible items and digital advertising is decidedly not. So the natural assumption is that promo would have a higher carbon cost associated with its production.

However, digital advertising has hidden energy costs, particularly with digital media’s increasing reliance on energy intensive AI and the data centers necessary to power cloud-based computing the storage. When you’re calculating the carbon impact of a digital ad, you have to think about the energy intensity of every phone and computer that’s used to view it as well as the initial carbon cost to create it.

Terry: That result seems to run counter to what a lot of people assume about digital marketing. Why does promotional merchandise perform so favorably in that comparison?

Think about the last digital ad you saw. Or the last sponsored video you watched on social media. Can you even remember what it was? There’s so much digital noise out there. Messaging gets drowned out so easily.

Promo products, on the other hand, promote strong brand recall. These are gifts that are given out by companies. They’re useful and fun. People remember and keep them. A TikTok ad is 10 seconds; a favorite branded hoodie you might have for 10 years – and each time you wear it evokes strong feelings and memories. 

(Doesn’t even have to be an expensive item. I have a friend who recently told me about a branded jar opener she got from her insurance agent and has kept for years, and it’s the only way she remembers who her insurance agent is. … that’s effective, right!)

Aaron: For listeners who like to understand the “how,” can you walk us through the methodology? How did the researchers calculate the carbon impact across different forms of advertising?

Yes, we worked with a third-party research group called 51toCarbonZero

In promo, data was obtained from the promo industry using a carbon tracking tool created specifically for our industry using a methodology certified by Bureau Veritas to be in accordance with ISO 14067 principles.

ASI, PPAI and 2FBCO also provided additional research to help contextualize the data.

For the other advertising channels, we relied on sources such as published research, articles and documents from reputable industry outlets. 51toCarbonZero applied its own professional judgement and experience of its industry researchers to furnish the final data set.

The study applies recognized life cycle assessment principles to produce comparative directional insights rather than product-level or third party-reviewed results. 

Terry: The data used in the study came from real companies in the industry. Without naming names, what kind of distributor data helped make this analysis possible?

As a starting point, we gathered data from two significantly sized distributors, one based in the U.S. and one based in Europe. 

Sales data was collected over a 12-month period from the European distributor and included full detailed sales data.

From the U.S. distributor, we collected summarized sales data from a 12-month period.

Each product was assigned to its own category and its own weight. Average Co2 factors per gram of product per category were then applied using the carbon tracking tool. If you go to the article Jonny Auping of PPAI and I wrote, you can get an even more detailed explanation of how the data was calculated.

Aaron: This was a joint effort between ASI and PPAI. What’s the significance of those two organizations collaborating on a project like this?

I’ve been writing about sustainability for about 3 years now, and one of the things that’s always struck me is how important collaboration is in order to move the needle. We have to cross typical lines of competition in order to actually effect change. 

We want everyone in the industry to be striving toward lower-impact choices and more sustainable production. It can’t just be a few enlightened companies, right?

We’ve seen evidence of this happening within the industry. Organizations like SwagCycle, run by Ben Grossman of Grossman Marketing Group, have worked with other distributors (ostensibly competitors)  to help them recycle or donate obsolete branded merch. 

It’s important both symbolically and functionally for PPAI and ASI (also traditionally competitors) to have a united front on sustainability. Anything we can do to improve the reputation of promo and make it a more sustainable industry benefits both organizations and our members. A rising tide lifts all boats.

Terry: How do you hope distributors, decorators, and suppliers use this information when they are talking with clients about marketing and sustainability?

I think this data can be a great conversation starter, especially for clients who question the effectiveness of promo products and have negative views about its carbon impact.

But I also hope it inspires them to start taking sustainability more seriously and start gathering their own impact data if they’re not already doing so.

We’re trying to be very clear that this study is a starting point. We’re by no means at the finish line. Carbon is only part of the story when it comes to sustainability. We also have to be looking at factors like ethical sourcing and a product’s end of life. 

So I think it’s ok to take a little victory dance here and use this data to combat inaccurate ideas about the industry, but then we need to collectively roll up our sleeves and continue the hard work of sustainability. 

Aaron: Here’s the million-dollar question. What comes next for the industry in terms of sustainability?

LIke I said, this is just the beginning. We want more industry companies to get involved in data collection, measuring the impact of our industry and collaborating on ways to lessen that overall impact.

Terry: If someone listening today wants to be more informed about sustainability, where would you suggest they start? And how can they learn more about this report and ASI?

They can visit www.PromoForThePlanet.com, an award-winning educational resource hub I edit for Counselor magazine and ASI, that includes a glossary of terms, a list of labels and certifications, videos and articles on sustainability. 

The full story is available on our website here: https://members.asicentral.com/news/industry-news/february-2026/joint-asi-ppai-study-finds-promo-among-the-lowest-carbon-impact-advertising-channels/ 

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention the second annual Sustainable Merch Summit, set for Earth Day (April 22) this year and hosted by the Branded Merch Network, ASI, Apparelist and 2 Regular Guys.

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.

Automation and AI are no longer futuristic concepts reserved for big companies with developers on staff. In this episode of 2 Regular Guys, we sit down with Eric Granata, MAS of PromoPilot.io to explore how distributors can use automation and AI orchestration to save time, eliminate repetitive tasks, and build smarter, more scalable operations. With 13 years on the distributor side and now a Zapier Gold Solution Partner, Eric shares practical use cases, realistic starting points, and a grounded perspective on what is truly valuable versus what is overhyped. If you want to streamline your workflow and stay competitive without becoming a programmer, this conversation will show you what is possible right 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.”

Terry: I just read a very long article on Japanese sword fighting

Allow me to Samurais it for you

Samurai = Summarize

Terry: Welcome to the show. We like to skip the fancy bios and just ask out of the gate, to give us more about you and your journey to where you are, briefly.

Aaron: For decorators and promo distributors who hear the word “automation” and think it sounds complicated, how would you define automation in simple, real-world terms for our industry?

Terry: Where are apparel decorators and promo shops bleeding the most time today without even realizing it?

Aaron: If someone listening wants a quick win, what is one simple automation they could set up that would immediately save them time or reduce errors?

Terry: A lot of shops are juggling email, QuickBooks, Shopify, CRM tools, and artwork approvals. How does automation actually connect all those systems together?

Aaron: Let’s talk about AI. Where does AI fit into a typical decorator workflow, from quote to proof to production to follow-up?

Terry: What is the difference between basic automation and what you call AI orchestration, and why should a small shop care about that distinction?

Aaron: Many shop owners think, “I’m not technical.” How do they get started safely without breaking their systems or overcomplicating things?

Terry: What is overhyped right now in AI for our space, and what is genuinely useful and practical?

Aaron: How can decorators use their data, things like order history, reorder timing, or client buying patterns, to create smarter follow-ups and stronger customer relationships?

Terry: If you were starting a decorated apparel or promo distributorship today, knowing what you know about automation and AI, what would you build into the foundation from day one?
Aaron: Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us today. Can you share more about promopilot.io and let listeners know how they can learn more and connect with you?

Learn more about PromoPilot at https://promopilot.io – learn about our services, scope the blog, and connect with industry automators and operators at our free community.

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.

Aaron is off teaching at DAX this week, so Terry and Erich are stepping in to continue the conversation on how decorators can reach more buyers without feeling salesy or getting lost in the noise. They will share practical, relationship-driven ideas that actually work, including the 3 Minute Touch follow up system, live decorating events that create real-time excitement, borrowing audiences through simple local collaborations, reactivating the “almost” list of past quotes, and using quote magnets to spark easy buying decisions. Expect real-world examples, honest insights, and actionable plays you can put to work in your shop right away to turn more conversations into consistent sales.

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: My credit card was declined at the sweater store

They asked for my cardigan

Cardigan = Card Again

Terry: Simple Creative Plays to Reach More Buyers. 

Erich: The “3-Minute Touch” list. Many times, we don’t follow up because out of sight, out of mind. But your past customers are a goldmine of potential future orders IF you build a relationship. So make a process, set an appointment on your calendar, and pick 10 past customers each week. Send a short check-in, a helpful link, or a quick compliment about their business. No pitch, just build a relationship. Instead of “just checking in,” lead with a real reason: seasonal timing, a new staff hire, upcoming events, a trend you are seeing, or a mistake you can help them avoid. Ask for replies, and ask questions about them and their business. You will see the patterns show up in building that relationship when the time is right to offer your services.

Terry: Live decorating events, if you’re built for that

Printed Threads in Ft Worth

Earlier this year, I was talking to a decorator in Pittsburgh about live printing. He’s going back for year two of a cheerleading competition. He’s a DTF decorator who is pre-making transfers and sets up with heat presses at the ready. He sent me a video last year of his live printing at an outdoor ice hockey tournament!

Festivals, live bands, community gatherings, high school football games

Erich: Borrowed audiences with tiny collaborations – Pair up with complementary local businesses (photographers, gyms, breweries, schools, nonprofits) for a simple giveaway, bundle, or spotlight swap.

Terry: Reactivation campaigns for the “almost” list 

Erich: The “quote magnet” offer Create a low-lift hook that triggers quote requests: “Send your logo, we’ll mock up 2 options by tomorrow” or “We’ll build your spirit-wear starter pack in 15 minutes.”

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.

In this episode of The 2 Regular Guys, we welcome Jason Nokes of PromoPulse to talk about automated marketing and why consistency is the real secret to growth in the promotional products and decorated apparel space. With more than 30 years in promo tech and six years focused specifically on automation tools for distributors, Jason shares what marketing really means for small shops, why having a plan matters even if you just want to maintain momentum, and simple ways you can start automating your outreach today to stay top of mind without adding more to your plate.

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: This morning, Siri said, “Don’t call me Shirley.” 

Last night I accidentally left my phone on Airplane mode.

Aaron: Jason, we met during the Branded Merch Network’s Automate & Elevate event that was hosted here on the 2 Regular Guys platform. Tell us a little about your background and your journey in the industry.

Terry: Marketing can mean a lot of things to a small business. What’s your definition as it applies to garment and product decorators?

Aaron: Talk to us about the importance of a good marketing plan when it comes to growing your business, and even in maintaining the status quo.

Terry: Most shop owners are busy producing. Why does marketing tend to be the first thing that gets dropped, and what does that cost them long term?

Aaron: When you say automated marketing, what does that look like in plain English? What’s happening behind the scenes?

Terry: Some shop owners worry automation feels impersonal. How do you keep it authentic?

Aaron: Here on 2RG, we like to share real-world examples. What are some ideas our listeners can use right now to automate their marketing?

Terry: (If extra Q is needed – If our listeners changed just one marketing habit starting tomorrow, what would you recommend?) Jason, 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.

Process is one of those things everyone knows they should work on, yet very few truly invest the time to get it right. In this episode of 2 Regular Guys, we welcome Dean Biscan, a 14-year industry veteran who has seen process from every angle. From owning his own apparel shop to working with powerhouse manufacturers, stepping into custom signage, and now operating within a national franchise model, Dean brings hard-earned perspective and plenty of war stories. We dig into why process is so much more than just production flow. Dean shares how refining processes across every part of the business can lead to faster turnaround times, improved efficiency, real cost savings, and long-term growth. You’ll hear practical examples, mindset shifts, and simple tweaks that consistently move the needle. Expect honest insights, a few laughs, and ideas you can apply whether you decorate apparel, sell promotional products, or manufacture custom gifts.

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 did the French groundhog see on February 2nd?

His chateau

Chateau = Shadow

Aaron: Dean, welcome to the show. You messaged us recently about being back in the industry. Welcome back! (It is like Hotel California) Tell us about your industry journey and where you are now.

Terry: In our back-and-forth about a specific topic, “process” kept coming up. What have you learned about “process” in your industry experience?

Aaron: Once you felt you found the right process in your business experience, was it perfect every time?

Terry: Why is process so important to success and our bottom line?

Aaron: So let’s define it a little bit. Many people, when they hear the term “process,” they think of “production.” How can we get from point A to point B to point C and then out the door? Should we just focus on production processes?

Terry: As you know, here on 2RGs, we like to get into the nuts and bolts of real-world examples. Can you share an example where a small process change made a big impact?

Aaron: Was there ever a process you thought was “dialed in,” only to later realize it needed to change again? What triggered that realization?

Terry: Many people believe a better process requires major equipment purchases. From your experience, when does process improvement require investment, and when does it just require better thinking?

Aaron: If someone listening feels overwhelmed and says, “My whole business is a mess,” where should they start when it comes to improving the process?

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.

Terry and Aaron are back in host mode, breaking down practical, creative ways the Regulators can reach customers and potential customers without feeling salesy or getting lost in the noise. From quick wins you can try this week to longer-term visibility plays that compound over time, you will walk away with ideas you can put into action, whether you sell B2B, B2C, or both. Expect real examples, simple frameworks, and a few “why didn’t I think of that?” tactics that help you stay top-of-mind, start better conversations, and create more opportunities for quotes and repeat business.

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 nun who sleepwalks? 

A Roaming “Roman” Catholic

Aaron: On the heels of last week’s Long Beach Impressions Expo show, we were talking about how decorators can reach any new potential buyers and the ones we are already working with. We both have some ideas we would love to share, and we also want to hear from those of you listening in live. We hope to share and uncover creative ways to reach out without feeling salesy or getting lost in the noise. We have plenty of ideas here, so we will see how many we get through and will save the rest for a future show. Terry, are you ready to dive in with your first idea?

Terry: 

Aaron: Micro-content from real jobs – I get to work with a group of Handmade Sellers who focus on Etsy, and one of the common statements is “everything is content.” Most of us don’t share enough on social media because we don’t know what to share or feel like it is a big production. But that is not true. One finished order could create 5 pieces of content: a quick photo of the finished product you are proud of creating, a short story about the customer, a 1-sentence lesson learned, a process clip or reel going from blank to decorated, and a “support our customer” post tagging them so they can share you too.

Terry: I want to piggyback on this and share a simple Instagram story that any of us can accomplish. Mel Lay’s garage screen printer experience.

Aaron: Can I piggyback again? Not sure how that works but… Customer spotlight pipeline: Feature one customer per week. They get visibility, you get shareable content, and prospects see proof you are active and trusted.

Aaron: The “3-Minute Touch” list. Many times, we don’t follow up because out of sight, out of mind. But your past customers are a goldmine of potential future orders IF you build a relationship. So make a process, set an appointment on your calendar, and pick 10 past customers each week. Send a short check-in, a helpful link, or a quick compliment about their business. No pitch, just build a relationship. Instead of “just checking in,” lead with a real reason: seasonal timing, a new staff hire, upcoming events, a trend you are seeing, or a mistake you can help them avoid. Ask for replies, and ask questions about them and their business. You will see the patterns show up in building that relationship when the time is right to offer your services.

Terry: Live decorating events, if you’re built for that

Aaron: Borrowed audiences with tiny collaborations – Pair up with complementary local businesses (photographers, gyms, breweries, schools, nonprofits) for a simple giveaway, bundle, or spotlight swap.

Terry: Reactivation campaigns for the “almost” list 

Aaron: The “quote magnet” offer. Create a low-lift hook that triggers quote requests: “Send your logo, we’ll mock up 2 options by tomorrow,” or “We’ll build your spirit-wear starter pack in 15 minutes.”

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.

What if profit came from clarity, not hustle? This week, we are joined by Becky Kotzer of BK Custom T’s to talk about what it really looks like to build a profitable business on purpose. Becky shares her garment decorating journey and how getting clear on her purpose changed the way she thinks about pricing, profit, and the role money plays in her business. In this conversation, we get practical. We talk about profit first thinking, a simple “need to earn” approach, and the unique budgeting system Becky uses to manage cash flow, expenses, and future goals. If you’re tired of guessing where the money goes and want systems that support better decisions and peace of mind, this episode will give you a clear picture of what’s possible.

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: My doctor told me I’m suffering from paranoia.

Well, she didn’t actually say that, but I could tell that’s what she was thinking.

1. Starting the Journey – Let’s start at the beginning. Can you share a little about your garment decorating journey and what business looked like for you before money and profit really became a focus?

2. Relationship With Money – Before you started working through this, how would you describe your relationship with money in your business? What felt frustrating or unclear?

3. Why “Purpose” Came First – When did you realize that purpose had to come before profit for you? What wasn’t working when profit was the only focus?

4. Masters of Success Influence – How did your experience inside Masters of Success shape the way you started thinking about numbers, decisions, and intentionality in your business?

5. The Budget Word Problem – You’ve said the word “budget” never really worked for you. What was it about traditional budgeting that always felt off or restrictive?

6. The Shift From Tracking to Directing – What changed when you moved from just tracking what happened with money to intentionally directing where money should go?

7. Profit First as a Concept – When you first heard about profit first ideas, what resonated with you and what didn’t quite fit your real world business?

8. Making Decisions With Clarity – How has having clearer numbers changed the way you make decisions month to month, even when things don’t go exactly as planned?

9. Managing the Emotional Side – What surprised you most about the emotional side of managing money once you started doing this differently?

10. What Might Be Coming – Without locking anything in, what possibilities do you see for how this could evolve or help other business owners in the future?

11. Advice for Where People Are Now – For someone listening who feels overwhelmed by their numbers and stuck between purpose and profit, what’s one mindset shift you’d encourage them to consider first?

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.