2 Regular Guys Podcast

We’re continuing our review of Niche Markets from our look back at episode 200 with a jump forward. This week, Terry and stand in Erich Campbell will share some new niche markets making the scene, share their insights on the practice of focussed marketing, and likely tell some stories about sales. Join us as we revisit, rethink, and refresh some of our past ideas while discussing how today’s technology and trends impact niche market opportunities. Plus, we’d love to hear from YOU—what niche markets are thriving in 2025?

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created for our employers but for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened-to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will improve your business and our industry. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list, and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

Your business’ SVPs—Strengths, Values, and Passions—are the foundation for long-term success. When aligned with these, you can move from feeling overwhelmed by daily operations to gaining clarity and control.

Take the SVP Business Alignment Assessment

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

(I have a decorated apparel joke today)

Terry: Did you know if you turn a canoe over you can wear it as a hat?

Yeah, because now it’s cap-sized

(BAMMMMM!!)

Terry: Here are some new niche markets that have emerged or expanded significantly since 2017, driven by industry trends, technology advancements, and post-COVID shifts. Thanks Aaron for starting this list for us.

Things that came out of the pandemic that are going strong

Cocktails to go ← Cocktails to Go? Call 555-GO DRINKS

Robot deliveries

Online education ← people still want to identify

Voting by mail 

QR codes

Solopreneurship ← I won’t be left in this position again

Online stores

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.

We’re diving into the archives for Episode #586! This week, Terry and Aaron take a trip back to April 7, 2017, Episode #200, where they shared 200 Niche Markets for garment decorators. A lot has changed since then—COVID reshaped businesses, new trends emerged, and DTF printing disrupted the industry—so how do those niche markets hold up today? Which ones are still goldmines, and which have faded away? Join us as we revisit, rethink, and refresh some of our past ideas while discussing how today’s technology and trends impact niche market opportunities. Plus, we’d love to hear from YOU—what niche markets are thriving in 2025?

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created for our employers but for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened-to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will improve your business and our industry. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list, and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

Your business’ SVPs—Strengths, Values, and Passions—are the foundation for long-term success. When aligned with these, you can move from feeling overwhelmed by daily operations to gaining clarity and control.

Take the SVP Business Alignment Assessment

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

Aaron: Be patient with geologists.

They have their faults.

Aaron: Terry we got in the way back machine and went back to 2017. https://www.2regularguys.com/200-niche-markets/ This was a little bit of a play on a seminar you were teaching at the time called 52 niche markets in 52 minutes, and we had some fun with the fact, we all know you didn’t get to 52. Since it was our 200th episode back then we wanted to celebrate. We were talking about the show for today, and we have not done a Niche show for a while.

Terry: Yes, so we thought it would be good to look back at some of those niche ideas and discuss any updates, changes or new perspectives on them based on what has happened in 7 to 8 years. 2 things happened since this list was compiled – Covid and DTF transfers.

5. Fishing Charters

Aaron: Here are five new niche markets that have emerged or expanded significantly since 2017, driven by industry trends, technology advancements, and post-COVID shifts:

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, Terry and Erich are joined by digitizer and educator Ramona McKee of Quick2Stitch.com as they discuss movements in manpower, machinery, and the way we manage people and production in the world of machine embroidery and apparel decoration. Join us and discuss how your shops are getting decoration done in the current market and how you check in and navigate changes.

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created for our employers but for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened-to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will improve your business and our industry. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list, and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

Your business’ SVPs—Strengths, Values, and Passions—are the foundation for long-term success. When aligned with these, you can move from feeling overwhelmed by daily operations to gaining clarity and control.

Take the SVP Business Alignment Assessment

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

Terry: Just before I die I plan to eat a whole bag of unpopped popcorn

That should make the cremation a little more interesting

Erich: First, let’s bring in our special guest! Ramona- thank you for joining us! For those few in the audience who don’t know you already, what don’t you let us know a little about how you came to be in the business of embroidery?

Terry: Like Erich and I, you were recently at the Impressions Expo show this January- Did you see anything in the way of equipment or supplies that really caught your eye? What was new and interesting about the offerings there?

Erich: I found that there was a higher emphasis on assistive tech and automation. How do you feel it fits into production as far as the kind of customers you serve as a digitizer? If you don’t mind me asking, who is your sort of ‘ideal’ digitizing client?

Terry: Erich may have mentioned that you attended a couple classes at the trade shows – How was your experience with embroidery education at Expo? What do you think the attendees in general felt about what’s on offer?

Erich: As a digitizer-for-hire, do you find more people wanting to get involved with digitizing and/or design work for embroidery, or are decorators you’ve worked with recently largely looking to just get the files and get stitching?

Terry: As a solopreneur, you have to wear all of the hats in your business; do you find that there are a lot of folks doing the same among your clients, or are you dealing with departments/teams in larger companies? What’s been the trend with the folks you serve?

Erich: Let me quickly plug your weekly show; Coffee and Conversation, streamed every Saturday- As someone who consistently creates educational content, what are people currently asking you to cover. Let me ask you a bit of tongue in cheek follow up – is what they ask for what you think they actually need?

Terry: How do you think the embroidery and the overall decoration community has changed in the time you’ve been a part of it and moreover since you’ve had your show?

Erich: I’m going to put you on the spot for one last 2-part question; What’s the most critical problem you think we are facing for the future of embroidery? Second, what one recommendation do you have for embroiderers out there who are looking for that next step?

Terry: Where can folks find out more about you and your services?

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.

It’s Valentine’s Day, and we’re feeling the love—for this industry, for our businesses, and for all of you! This week, we’re not only sharing what we love about the garment and product decorating world, but we’re also kicking off Season 13 of the 2 Regular Guys Podcast! From the creativity and innovation to the incredible community that makes this industry special, we’re celebrating everything that keeps us coming back week after week. But this show isn’t just about us—we want to hear from you! Join us live and share what you love about your business, your craft, and this amazing industry. Let’s start the next chapter of 2RG with appreciation, positivity, and a whole lot of passion!

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created for our employers but for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened-to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will improve your business and our industry. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list, and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

Your business’ SVPs—Strengths, Values, and Passions—are the foundation for long-term success. When aligned with these, you can move from feeling overwhelmed by daily operations to gaining clarity and control.

Take the SVP Business Alignment Assessment

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 salt say to the pepper on Valentine’s Day?

Oooh baby, baby. Baby, baby.

(You have to be from the 80’s to get that one. Salt-n-Pepa, look it up.)

Why is it Hotel California?

Terry: What I tell my classes about staying in the industry.

The best people are in this industry

Ease of entry – low initial investment compared to many businesses

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.

Big moves are happening in the garment decorating industry! This week, we kick things off with Tyler Dummett, President of Workhorse Products, as he joins us to discuss the strategic merger between Workhorse Products and Lawson Screen & Digital—what it means for their customers and the industry at large. Then, in the second half of the show, Terry and Aaron dive into the broader impact of mergers and acquisitions in our space. Are these moves expanding opportunities and driving innovation, or are they simply bailouts for struggling businesses? Join us as we break down what’s happening behind the scenes and how it might affect your business moving forward! Don’t miss this insightful discussion—tune in live and share your thoughts!

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants, lectures, or selling. 2 Regular Guys was not created for our employers but for our industry. Since February 2013, The 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened-to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will improve your business and our industry. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list, and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews, and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!

Your business’ SVPs—Strengths, Values, and Passions—are the foundation for long-term success. When aligned with these, you can move from feeling overwhelmed by daily operations to gaining clarity and control.

Take the SVP Business Alignment Assessment

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

Terry: Mountains aren’t just funny…

They’re hill areas (Hilarious)

Aaron: Tyler, welcome to the show. To my recollection, this is the first time we have been able to host you. Thanks for being here. Can you start by giving us a little background on you and your path to the industry?

Terry: So the big news we have you here to share is the announcement of a merger with Workhorse and Lawson. What led to the decision for Workhorse and Lawson to merge, and what excites you most about this partnership?

Aaron: What changes (if any) can Workhorse and Lawson’s customers expect in terms of product lines, customer service, or overall experience?

Aaron: Mergers can spark concern about company culture shifts. How do you plan to maintain the unique strengths and values that both Workhorse and Lawson bring to the industry?

Terry: Before we let you go, looking ahead, where do you see the screen printing and digital printing industry going, and how does this merger position Workhorse and Lawson for the future?

Our discussion

Talking Points:

Talking Points:

Talking Points:

Should decorators diversify vendors to reduce risk?

What industries are likely to see more mergers?

How can decorators future-proof their businesses?

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.