Event Swag Selection

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮 𝟮𝟲-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 ₹𝟭𝟮𝟬 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸) In 2017, someone posted a photo of tiny goddess pendants from a 200-year-old temple on Instagram. It went viral. Thousands commented: "Where can I buy this?" Most people would've just liked the post and moved on. Meenakshi didn't. She was the temple caretaker's granddaughter. She saw those comments and thought: "What if I could sell these online?" Here's where it gets interesting. She didn't just slap the jewelry on Shopify and run Facebook ads. 𝗦𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. The tagline? "Wear Your Blessings." Every piece became a connection to spirituality, not just another accessory. Instead of paying influencers, she told stories of the actual artisans—the 60-year-old craftsman who'd been making these for 40 years, the temple motifs that carried centuries of history. The packaging? Genius. Saffron silk pouches. Sandalwood scent cards. It felt like receiving prasad, not a Myntra order. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗼. 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮 ₹𝟭𝟮𝟬 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. Here's what you can learn: 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀. People bought because each piece meant something. 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. Real artisan stories connected deeper than any influencer could. 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. That prasad-style unboxing wasn't an accident, it reinforced the entire brand promise. The wild part? This all started from ONE viral Instagram post and someone brave enough to act on it. Your opportunity might be hiding in plain sight too. #D2CIndia #SmartBrandMoves #FromPostToProfit #ScaleWithSoul

Fashion can be a force for good. Across the continent, sustainable fashion initiatives are bridging the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern eco-conscious practices, creating opportunities for local artisans to thrive on a global stage. This is about more than just fashion- it’s about empowerment, equity, and innovation. By supporting brands that value sustainability and fair trade, we’re not just buying products; we’re investing in communities, preserving cultural heritage, and advocating for a more just and environmentally responsible industry. The artisans behind these creations are not just producing garments. They’re weaving stories, preserving traditions, and driving change. It’s up to us as consumers, professionals, and advocates to amplify their voices and champion their work. If we want a fashion industry that truly benefits people and the planet, this is where it begins. We must commit to making choices that support sustainability, celebrate craftsmanship, and create meaningful impact. Several African fashion brands are leading the way in sustainable and ethical practices, seamlessly blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design. Here are some notable examples: • Tongoro: Founded by Sarah DIOUF in Senegal, Tongoro emphasizes local craftsmanship and community involvement, aiming to foster economic and social development for artisanal workers in Western Africa. • lemlem: Established by supermodel Liya Kebede, Lemlem is an artisan-focused brand offering beautiful, responsibly made women’s resort wear crafted entirely in Africa, with a core mission to preserve Ethiopia’s traditional art of weaving. • Studio 189: Co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima E., this Ghana-based fashion and lifestyle brand produces African and African-inspired content and clothing, supporting local artisans and promoting ethical fashion. • NKWO: A Nigerian brand led by Nkwo Onwuka, is a pioneer in Nigeria’s sustainable fashion movement, emphasizing resource conservation and the creation of a “new African fabric” called DAKALA CLOTH, aiming to reduce textile waste. • MAXHOSA AFRICA: Founded by Laduma Ngxokolo, this South African brand is known for its modern knitwear inspired by traditional Xhosa beadwork, patterns, symbolism, and colors, keeping heritage intact while protecting the environment. • Christie Brown: A Ghanaian luxury fashion brand founded by Aisha Ayensu, Christie Brown fuses modern and traditional elements, including tailored blazers and intricately designed dresses, with a commitment to ethical production. • DIARRABLU: Established by Senegalese designer Diarra Bousso, Diarrablu focuses on sustainability by crafting products only upon receiving orders, showcasing pieces made from recycled materials and bold prints inspired by Senegalese heritage. Quality, heritage, sustainability. The way it should be! #africa #fashion #sustainableapparel

From Fish Skin to Fashion. In the bustling heart of Kisumu, near the shimmering shores of Lake Victoria, a quiet revolution is taking place. Here, a forward-thinking company is proving that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. Through the lens of the #circulareconomy, this local gem has turned what was once considered #waste into products that inspire both utility and artistry. Their story begins with fish 🐟 a resource as deeply tied to the region's identity as the lake itself. But this company isn’t just exporting fillets or filling plates. Instead, they’re looking at the by-products of the fishing industry: fish skins. These translucent, textured skins, often discarded or overlooked, are the raw material fueling their vision of zero waste and #sustainable production. At their production unit, the process is nothing short of #transformative. After the fish scales are carefully removed, the skins are treated and processed using #eco-friendly methods. To further the ethos of #sustainability, even natural ingredients like fruits are introduced during the tanning process, replacing harmful chemicals traditionally used in leather production. The result? A strong, pliable material that retains the unique texture of fish skin while being versatile enough to craft into a range of products. This company has gone beyond simply "doing less harm" to creating a tangible example of how circular economy principles can thrive in practice. The fish skin is used to craft stunning shoes, hats, and other artisanal goods. Each product tells a story — of innovation, of local craftsmanship, and of a commitment to minimizing waste. 🐟Circular Economy in Action: At its core, this company's work is a masterclass in circular economy principles. By using what would typically end up in landfills, they demonstrate how every resource has value if viewed through the right lens. Fish skins, fruit peels, and other organic materials become inputs for new products, ensuring nothing goes to waste. More than that, the company’s approach provides a blueprint for other businesses: 🐟Resource Maximization: Utilizing every part of the fish and integrating locally available materials. 🐟Community Impact: Creating jobs and fostering skills development within Kisumu. 🐟Environmental Stewardship: Reducing waste and reliance on harmful chemicals, all while lowering their carbon footprint. The work being done in Kisumu isn’t just about products; it’s about possibilities. It challenges the notion of #waste and shows how #creativity, paired with #sustainable practices, can spark a ripple effect of positive change. As the world grapples with climate challenges, this company is a reminder that solutions can come from unexpected places, even from the humble fish skin. In Kisumu, they’re not just crafting products; they’re crafting a legacy of sustainability that the world can’t afford to ignore.

Have you ever received company swag that went straight into the junk drawer? There’s a better way. Businesses invest in branded items, but things like pens and stress balls often get tossed and forgotten. Why? Because it’s not related to your ICP's pain points and jargon. Bad swag can even hurt your brand. We, as marketers, often forget the purpose of swag. When done right, it’s not just a giveaway—it’s a powerful marketing tool for brand awareness and demand generation, and it can even help close deals! 𝗕2𝗕 = 𝗛2𝗛, yes, even in big enterprise SaaS. I recently saw this in action. A colleague (AKA Tom Orbach) sent me a book on "Cloud Security for Kids" from Wiz. Cloud security sounds scary, right? But if you read this great children's book, you and your kids will quickly understand cloud security—and you’ll even enjoy it! 5th-grade level writing is the best way to deliver a message. 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀: - Align swag with your brand mission and ICP’s challenges. - Provide real value. - Spark curiosity and discussion. - Stand out from the ordinary. You can turn swag into a memorable brand touchpoint by focusing on quality and alignment. What’s the most creative or valuable piece of swag you’ve received? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Some people say swag is fluff. I could not disagree more. When swag is done well, it becomes an event strategy that multiple other strategies can build from. I started thinking about this recently after I saw a post from Casey S. about a personalized swag activation that had people talking about their company at an industry event. And shout out to Jenny Blaschke who can personalize anything. And I do mean anything. Including hot dogs. But I digress. The point is not the personalization itself. The point is what happens when the item, the experience, the operational plan and the audience all line up. I have seen swag move mountains at events where companies I worked for were exhibiting. And by mountains, I mean outcomes. Create demand for a high value item that causes a line. Have your team work the line. Incentivize the right behaviors including capture of the conversations. Reward the people who stood in line but did not win the high value item with something lower value, but still useful, like a great t-shirt (I swear at some events people collect their entire wardrobe in a matter of days). That is strategy. That is not fluff or wasted money. And it applies just as much to a company’s own hosted events. The reason for this post is because I was reminded of the power of swag when I sat down for dinner tonight and pulled out a pair of Venetian branded wooden chopsticks. I was given them at an event more than 22 years ago. I know this because I was not yet a mom. My son is now in university. So yes, those chopsticks have been with me through babies, toddlers, teenagers, many dinners, multiple moves and a whole lot of life. The logo is barely visible now. But I still know exactly where they came from. I remember the event. I remember who gave them to me even - and although he’s long gone from the Venetian I reminded him of the chopsticks when we saw each other again in person only a few years ago. And every time I use them, there is a tiny little brand memory attached to something incredibly ordinary. Dinner. That is kind of wild when you think about it. I have another example sitting on my kitchen counter right now. A salt holder I was also given pre kids. It used to sit on a branded wooden base, which has long since disappeared, because of course it has. But the salt holder itself has survived every kitchen clean out, every move and every phase where I convinced myself I was finally going to declutter properly. It still made the cut. And I still remember who gave it to me and what company they worked for. Here’s looking at you, Jennifer Glynn. That is the power of good swag. It’s useful. It’s relevant. It creates a memory. It supports a business objective. And most importantly, it gives your team something to activate around. The best swag is not about putting your logo on something random and hoping people care. It is about understanding the audience, the moment, the memory you want to create and the behaviour you want to drive. So please, let’s stop dismissing swag as fluff. But let’s call poorly thought out swag what it actually is. A missed opportunity.

Prada sold a pair for ₹1.2 lakh. A Kolhapur artisan made it for ₹400. This isn’t just a fashion story — it’s a wake-up call. Kolhapuri chappals are a 700-year-old GI-tagged craft, handmade by nearly 10,000 artisans across #Maharashtra and #Karnataka. Each pair takes 5–6 days, uses vegetable-tanned leather, and is stitched without nails or glue. Yet the reality is harsh: • Artisans earn ₹200–300/day • Local prices: ₹400–800 • Export prices: ₹2,000–5,000 • Traders make lakhs, creators struggle Despite #global demand, the entire market is just ₹90 crore today. Why? ❌ No branding ❌ Fragmented workshops ❌ Trader-controlled pricing ❌ Zero D2C presence ❌ Youth leaving the craft With #D2C, #storytelling, and premium positioning, Kolhapuris can become a ₹1,000+ crore global brand — not a forgotten heritage. The question is simple: Would you buy authentic Kolhapuri chappals online for ₹2,000–3,000 if it directly empowered artisans? Let’s talk. 👇 #KolhapuriChappal #MadeInIndia #GItag #ArtisanEconomy #D2CBrands #EthicalFashion #Handcrafted #IndianStartups #BrandBuilding

I’ve probably sent thousands of pieces of swag to events over the years. And I’ll be real...most swag doesn’t move the needle. We’ve all seen it: The $2 pens that write like sandpaper. The “unisex” t-shirts that don’t fit anyone. The weird tech gadgets no one asked for… still in plastic at the bottom of a drawer. We send this stuff because we think we’re “building brand.” But here’s what I’ve learned (the hard way): Swag only works when it’s useful. Not clever. Not flashy. Just… used. Here’s how I approach it now: ➜ If your team wouldn’t wear it, don’t send it. This sounds obvious. But I’ve made this mistake. Sent jackets with logos that were too loud. Hats no one would touch. All because we thought more exposure = more ROI. Turns out, subtle = wearable. And wearable = remembered. ➜ Match the item to the person, not just the brand. A startup CTO is not the same as a CPG sales manager. They don’t want the same hoodie. They don’t drink from the same tumbler. I’ll go narrower. Fewer sends. But every one feels like it was picked for them. Because it was. ➜ Use swag to tell a story. One of the best pieces of swag I ever sent was a branded charger. Not exciting. But I paired it with this note: “Figured your team’s burning the candle at both ends. Thought a little backup power might help.” That turned into a reply. The reply turned into a call. The call turned into a deal. That’s swag with context. That’s what works. I’ll never go back to mass-sending cheap gear with huge logos. No one wants to be a walking billboard. But if you send the right thing… at the right moment… with the right message? Swag doesn’t just get noticed. It gets remembered. (And remembered = revenue.)

Swadeshi and Khadi Last Sunday, after announcing GST 2.0, our Prime Minister appealed to the nation to adopt Swadeshi and encourage the purchase of locally produced goods. With the festive season upon us, consumption in India typically sees a significant rise between September and January—beginning with Ganesh Chaturthi, followed by Navaratri, Dussehra, Deepawali, Christmas, and culminating with Sankranthi. During this period, Indian households—both rich and poor—purchase a wide variety of products. Unfortunately, a large portion of these items still come from China, including decorative flowers, electric lights, plastic items, incense sticks, and more. Current estimates suggest that imports from China exceed ₹10,00,000 crore, while Indian exports to China remain minimal—leading to a huge trade imbalance. In this context, Khadi and Village Industries present a powerful opportunity to support Indian rural artisans. Over the last 10–12 years, the product range at Khadi Gramodyog has expanded beyond textiles such beyond textiles ( sarees, shirts, towels, lungis, bedsheets, and gymkhana wear) to include incense sticks, honey, soaps, shampoos, and several other daily-use products. Every purchase at a Khadi Bhandar directly benefits a small artisan family, sustaining livelihoods and empowering rural India. I urge all of us to take inspiration from this, and adopt Khadi—not just as a fabric, but as a way of life. This also beautifully resonates with the Swadeshi call of our beloved Prime Minister. Do remember, from October 2nd—Gandhi Jayanti—Khadi stores across the country hold a special promotional sale every year. Let us take advantage of this, contribute to the nation’s self-reliance, and honor our artisans. Are you with me in this movement.

I've lived in the UAE for 15 years. Every few years, someone outside the region asks me some version of the same question, is it all just malls, oil money and imported brands? No. And this post is a small attempt to support local brands that i have personally experienced that id love to recommend. All of them were started by people who chose to build something real, here. Not in any particular order! Ganache Chocolatier (Alabbar Enterprises & ANOTHER) — Mouza Al Abbar has built an artisanal chocolate factory in Alserkal Avenue with over 90 handcrafted flavours, an in-house production line, and ingredients sourced from Switzerland, Belgium and France. Emirati-founded, now expanding across Dubai, and proof that world-class confectionery doesn't need to be imported. Pickl — Stephen Flawith left fine dining to open a burger joint in JLT in 2019. Six years later, Pickl is across the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. A homegrown fast-food brand that Dubai can genuinely call its own export. The best pickles in Dubai TRIO Coffee — Aysha Bin Huwaireb has built something quietly impressive with Trio. In a city saturated with coffee concepts chasing Instagram moments, Trio just focuses on the coffee. Emirati-owned, growing steadily, and one of the brands I always recommend when people ask me where to go. Watch this brand grow in to other major cities around the world! Emirates Bio Farm — Yazen Al Kodmani is growing over 60 varieties of certified organic produce on a 250,000 sqm farm in the Al Ain desert. Delivering within 24 hours of harvest, plastic-free packaging, and a parent company that's been recycling waste into organic fertiliser since 1997. Building food security in the desert isn't a slogan here, it's the actual business model. Best eggs in the country! Go there just to pet the animals. Nabta Health — Sophie Smith سوفي سميث founded the Middle East's first women's health technology company right here in the UAE. The platform uses AI-powered hybrid care to diagnose and support women with chronic conditions that traditional healthcare systems routinely miss. Named to TIME's Top HealthTech Companies list in 2025 and now expanding across the region and into Africa. This is the kind of company that changes how an entire population accesses care. The UAE doesn't just attract businesses. Its growing them. And the people behind these brands are building something that will outlast the current news cycle. Who else should be on this list? #supportlocal #madeinUAE #UAEbusiness #Guildhall #jobsindubai

Your merch is thrown away the same day and no one uses it? Got it. Here’s why and how to turn it into a silent pitch. Remember that branded mug you got last New Year? Still at the back of the cupboard. ↳ Because most merch is made like promo, not like product. ↳ And people sense the difference. They won’t wear your brand if it looks cheap. A founder told me they shipped 500 robes to a retreat. Great product. Amazing experience. But the robe logo was tiny, the fabric felt like poly, and influencers wore it once, then never posted again. Result? Partners stopped replying. All the trust they’d built… gone overnight. Out-of-the-box merch moves that actually work (not fluff): ↳ 1. Make one wearable hero item, not ten cheap ones. Find your “signature” — the hoodie, tote, lighter, or robe that feels like you. Prototype it in 3 materials. Wear-test it in public. Then produce. ↳ 2. Give it utility + story. Hospitality → robe with QR to your playlist or scent sample. Beauty → pouch that refills with mini sachets. Real estate → “neighborhood kit” with local map + café card. People keep stories, not swag. ↳ 3. Collaborate with local creators. Ceramicists, artists, textile makers — limited drops, numbered pieces. It’s not promo anymore. It’s collectible. If your merch doesn’t make people talk, it’s not doing its job. Want my Quick Merch Audit (checklist I use with global brands)? Comment or DM the word MERCH and I’ll send it to you. It’s free, and it’ll instantly show if your merch builds trust or dust. Now tell me 👇 What’s the best piece of merch you’ve ever gotten (or wish a brand made)? And should I drop Part 2 with the next advanced merch moves?