This February marks 27 years in business for Impact Marketing & Design.
If I’m being honest, that number still surprises me. I didn’t start this company with some grand 30-year plan. I started it because I loved helping people bring ideas to life — and somehow, year after year, client after client, project after project, we’re still here… and stronger than ever.
But when I take a moment to really reflect on almost three decades of entrepreneurship, one truth rises above everything else: The greatest return on investment hasn’t been revenue.
It’s been relationships.
From Vendors to Partners
One client once told us something I’ll never forget: “We deal with many vendors every day. You’re the only ones who feel like an extension of our own staff — part of our team.”
That single sentence didn’t just make me smile; it captured exactly what we strive for.
We never wanted to be “a supplier.”
We never wanted to be a transactional line on a purchase order.
We wanted to be collaborators. Creators. Partners.
The people you call when you have a wild idea, a tight deadline, an important event, or a problem you don’t want to solve alone. After 27 years, I can say confidently: it’s the relationships that built this business, sustained this business, and made this journey meaningful.
Why the Work Still Lights Me Up
People often assume that after this long in the promotional and marketing world, I’d be tired of it — or that everything would start to feel the same. But it hasn’t. Not even close.
What I love most is still the same thing that hooked me in year one:
• hearing a client’s goals
• understanding what they’re trying to accomplish
• dreaming up the creative strategy that fits
• and executing as if their success were our own
When a client says, “You nailed it,” or we see a project come full circle from idea to launch… that’s the spark. And yes, I still get that spark — every single week.
A Family Thread Woven Into the Business
One thing I never anticipated when I started Impact 27 years ago was how deeply my son, Brett, would become part of this journey. He’s only been officially working with me for the past two years — but the truth is, he’s been woven into this company from the very beginning. He grew up in this business. He met clients, sat in meetings, and spent afternoons in the office when school was out and deadlines were in. Impact provided for him — but he also inspired me. He was one of the biggest reasons I worked so hard, pushed so far, and kept going even when the early years were challenging. So having him now step in as part of the team isn’t just meaningful… it’s full-circle. Watching him bring his own strengths, ideas, and heart into the business has been one of the greatest gifts of this entire 27-year journey.
The Personal Side of a “Promotional Product”
Promotional items are often misunderstood. People think they’re just pens, bags, shirts, or giveaways.
But after 27 years, I see them differently. I see them as touchpoints of connection. A great product isn’t a logo slapped on an object.
It’s a story.
It’s a reminder.
It’s a connection between a brand and a human being.
When done right, it says:
• We value you.
• We see you.
• We thought about you.
• We invested in making this experience better.
That’s why clients trust us. Not because we “sell stuff.” But because we help them create moments.
So… What Has 27 Years Really Given Me?
It has given me a community. A reputation built on integrity. A team I’m proud of. Clients who feel more like friends. A chance to watch my son grow beside this business — and eventually step into it. And a company that grew not because we chased transactions, but because we nurtured relationships. The most valuable asset your business will ever have is the trust you build with the people you serve. That trust is our real ROI. And after 27 years, it’s the part that still means the most.