Kara Johnson, a senior merchandiser at SanMar is responsible for building products, setting prices and collaborating with a myriad of teams to develop products. In this episode, Kara discusses how sustainability is  now the status quo instead of just a trend, explains why she’s so excited about the District Re-Tee and daydreams about the perfect reserved parking spot.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE  Kara breaks down her responsibilities as senior merchandiser and which brands she works with. How SanMar is able to design and create products faster today and how that helps keep up with some of fashion’s every-changing trends. What’s so special about the Re-Tee that Kara wore to this interview? The reason sustainability is easier to manage than you think.    QUOTES  “You have to stay true to who you are.” “We have the ability to truly affect change in our market and in the world.” “It’s scary to move that fast, but we’ve been able to do it.” “We have to affect the change now because our customers are demanding that.”    LINKS  SanMar U homepage: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

An Evolution of Sustainable Product with Kara Johnson

This is SanMar Radio, the podcast where we dig into the promotional products industry to help you find the answers and inspiration you need to grow your business.

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John Janson is the senior director of global logistics for SanMar. The last year and a half has definitely challenged and tested his team, along with the rest of us, to say the least. In this episode, John delves into how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up supply chains all over the world, how SanMar is faring, and what we need to accomplish before we can be “back to normal.” THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE  John breaks down how SanMar’s global supply chain worked prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. What causes product shortages, and how has the pandemic played into that? Looking into how the Suez Canal blockage affected SanMar and the global supply chain at large. Why it’s important for customers to get their orders into us early. What milestone does the industry need to hit to know it’s turning a corner?    QUOTES  “We’re not doing anywhere near as well as we’d like to be doing, but we’re doing significantly better than lots of other people are doing.”  “If you grade us on a curve we’re not doing bad!” “We’re trying to make ourselves as attractive to a customer as we can be.” “We are professional whack-a-mole players right now.”    LINKS  SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

Unraveling Today's Supply Chain Challenges with John Janson

Vicki Ostrom is SanMar’s futurist and trend editor - she reads the cultural and apparel tea leaves to help us stay in the know.  In this episode, Vicki discusses some unexpected trends that have sprung out of the pandemic, muses over why retro styles make such a splash, and looks at how sustainability is factoring into the average customer’s purchasing decisions. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE  How the pandemic has shaken up personal fashion. The reason Vicki believes retro trends are so popular. Vicki reveals her favorite trend at the moment. The trends Vicki sees coming out over the next few months.    QUOTES  “We’re just ready to have some fun! Everybody’s tired of being tired and sad.” “We’re dressing for ourselves now more than we’re dressing for others.” “We can actually make [a] serious difference in the world quickly.” “I want to live on this planet, and I need to have a planet to live on if I want to do that.” “It just takes some creativity to just bring that little spark of joy to your customer.”   LINKS  SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp  SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp

Trends that are Moving us Forward with Vicki Ostrom

James Shimizu is the Chief Marketing Officer of the Superior Group of Companies (SGC), whose WonderWink brand of scrubs is the latest to join the SanMar family.    In this episode, James discusses how WonderWink’s fabric selection makes their products more appealing to consumers, looks at how the pandemic has affected the company, and looks into the non-medical professions that use scrubs. THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE  James gives Lisa, Tara and the listeners a crash course in what makes WonderWink products unique. What is WonderWink’s relationship with SanMar and how did this latest partnership come to be? How WonderWinks scrubs are made to be more comfortable than their competitors’. What goes into making scrubs that won’t fall down when you least expect it (like in the middle of a surgery). Which WonderWink products are SanMar exclusives.    QUOTES  “It’s hard to look at the Wonderwink logo and not smile.” “Of course we want everything to look good and feel good but at the end of the day it really needs to perform. “Fit...is the foundation to what WonderWink is.” “We’re frankly just so honored to be able to support the health care industry.” “We think Scrubs Day should be every day!”   LINKS  WonderWink: https://wonderwinkscrubs.com/  Superior Group of Companies: https://superiorgroupofcompanies.com/  SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

How WonderWink is Working Wonders with James Shimizu

Emily Gigot is SanMar’s sustainability manager and is spearheading our company’s initiative in helping to reduce climate change. In this episode, Emily explains what it means to make a climate commitment, delves into SanMar’s own sustainability strategies, and discusses how small changes in our everyday lives can make a positive impact on our planet.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE  What is SanMar’s climate commitment? Breaks down what the Paris Agreement hopes to accomplish. How SanMar sets its internal climate goals. The big and small ways that companies big and small can reduce their carbon usage. What individuals can do to battle climate change in their own lives.    QUOTES  “We really don’t have time to waste. We need to take steps now to make sure that the future is bright and future generations are able to thrive.” “I’m of a mind that putting more heads together is better than one.” “Consumers need to be able to make an informed choice.” “Every car off the road makes a difference.”      LINKS  SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp  SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp

Making a Climate Commitment with Emily Gigot

Ryan Ellis is the CEO of TravisMathew, a well-known lifestyle and golf brand that has recently joined SanMar’s family of brands. In this episode, Ryan delves into TravisMathew’s meticulous fabric-making process, discusses the positive changes that the past year of quarantine has brought about, and gives us a sneak peek of what’s next.   THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE  Ryan gives listeners a crash course in TravisMathew’s history. How TravisMathew tries to push golfwear beyond the golf course and clubhouse. Breaking down how TravisMathew researches and selects fabrics for its products. How TravisMathew has cultivated a healthier work-life balance for its employees. The philosophy behind TravisMathew’s designs. A day in the life at TravisMathew.    QUOTES  “We have a lane, we know what it is, and so it’s very easy for us to just drive right down that lane.” “It’s really a space that we’re dominating right now.” “One fabric can make all the difference.” “It’s not about working hard; it’s about working smarter.”    LINKS  TravisMathew homepage: https://www.travismathew.com/  SanMar U: http://www.education.sanmar.com/ SanMar’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanmarcorp/ SanMar’s Twitter: @sanmar_corp SanMar’s Instagram: @sanmar_corp 

An Evolution of Sustainable Product with Kara Johnson

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