The 2025 Partner Series was centered on one clear goal: helping our clients move towards a more personalized, retail-focused approach to branded merch. From the logistics of on-demand fulfillment to the fine details of premium apparel, we’ve gathered the practical insights from our Partner Series episodes that matter most for brands looking to tell a better story.
Here’s a look back at all the episodes of 2025.
January: 2025 Planning and Customer Portals
Landon and Brett sat down to review the 2024 Partner Series and discussed how the portals available to Goodson clients are great tools to utilize in the coming year.
Takeaways:
- Our client portals and order management system are built to give you clarity and make tracking your projects a straightforward process.
- We’re focusing on personalization and sustainability to ensure every piece of branded merch serves as a sensible, useful gift for the recipient.
Watch the full episode HERE.
February: Practical, Everyday Promotional Items
We sat down with Steve Donlin to discuss practical product lines from Tomax, Alexander Manufacturing, and Honest Abe Gloves that focus on everyday utility.
Takeaways:
- Choosing items that people can actually use—like reliable hand tools or safety gear—is a sensible way to ensure your branded merch doesn’t get left in a drawer.
- Sampling is a critical part of the process; it’s the best way to verify the quality of a product for yourself before you commit to an order.
Watch the full episode HERE.
March: Signs and Displays for Events, Trade Shows & Derby
Landon and Dalan Cohen sat down to discuss how Discount Marketing Products uses custom fabric displays and hardware to help brands stand out at events and trade shows.
Takeaways:
- Full-color dye sublimation and custom-shaped displays allow you to tailor your event setup to your specific space without being restricted by standard sizes or minimums.
- Choosing durable materials, like aluminum tubing for displays or weather-resistant tents, ensures your setup remains a reliable part of your marketing toolkit for multiple seasons.
Watch the full episode HERE.
April: Branded Golf Gear and Promotional Items
Landon and Brian Stidham sat down to discuss how EMT uses custom metalwork and patches to create smaller, detailed pieces that effectively represent a brand especially during gold events.
Takeaways:
- Custom metal items like lapel pins or golf tools offer a high level of detail with low minimums, making them a sensible choice for specific events or collectibles.
- Planning ahead is key for the holiday season; while custom ornaments typically require a four-week lead time, stock options can be turned around in less than a week for tighter deadlines.
Watch the full episode HERE.
May: Decoration Options for Custom Screen Printing
Landon and Nicole from Target Decorated Apparel sat down to discuss how different screen printing methods—from spot color to discharge—affect the final look and feel of a garment.
Takeaways:
- Achieving a “soft hand” feel depends heavily on the ink and fabric pairing; water-based and discharge inks are often the best route for keeping a shirt comfortable and breathable.
- Precision matters in garment decoration, and using spot color printing ensures we can maintain exact Pantone matching to keep your brand colors consistent across different runs.
Watch the full episode HERE.
June: Custom Packaging for Your Brand
Landon and Jake Kitchell from YourBoxDesign.com sat down to discuss how thoughtful packaging can improve the way a brand is perceived from the moment a box arrives.
Takeaways:
- First impressions are difficult to redo; using custom packaging for things like welcome kits or holiday gifts ensures the experience of receiving the item is as high-quality as the product itself.
- Test a design and see your own branding on custom boxes before committing to a larger order.
Watch the full episode HERE.
July: Your Brand’s Online Shop
Landon and Bryan Jacobs from SanMar sat down to discuss how online shops are becoming a standard tool for managing employee engagement and consistent branding.
Takeaways:
- Integrating retail brands like Cotopaxi into an online shop allows you to offer items people already know and value, blending quality retail styles with corporate identity.
- Utilizing a print-on-demand model helps manage inventory more effectively, allowing you to offer a wider range of trending styles without the risk of overstocking.
Watch the full episode HERE.
August: The Smart Way to Order On-Demand Merch
Landon and Mike Durazzano sat down to discuss how on-demand merchandise is shifting the focus toward total personalization and smarter inventory management.
Takeaways:
- On-demand production allows for a high level of customization—like individual names or variable designs—without the burden of carrying a large, static inventory.
- While custom lead times typically range from 3 to 5 weeks, the flexibility to create unique items like personalized shoes or socks makes the wait worth it for a more memorable gift.
Watch the full episode HERE.
September: 5 Ways to Make Holiday Gifting More Meaningful
Landon and Jeremy sat down to discuss how early planning and a focus on retail brands can simplify the holiday season and result in more meaningful gifts.
Takeaways:
- Choosing a gift from a recognizable retail brand helps reinforce your own company’s narrative and values without needing to say much.
- Setting up an online shop for the holidays allows your team to choose what they actually want, ensuring the gift is used while you avoid the stress of managing sizes and inventory manually.
Watch the full episode HERE.
October: The Art of Food Gifting: Quality, Great Taste, Impact
Landon and Molly from Maple Ridge Farms sat down to discuss why food gifts remain a universal choice for corporate gifting, focusing on the importance of freshness and presentation.
Takeaways:
- Made-to-order food gifts, like charcuterie sets, are a great way to ensure quality; the experience of receiving something fresh and well-presented naturally reflects well on your brand.
- Utilizing drop shipping simplifies the logistics of reaching a remote team or a distributed client list, allowing you to send a personalized gift directly to their door without the hassle of extra handling.
Watch the full episode HERE.
November: Investing in Quality: Why Premium Clothing is Good for Your Brand
Landon sat down with Jacob from Holderness & Bourne to discuss the shift toward using premium retail apparel that matches the quality people choose for their personal lives.
Takeaways:
- Moving away from “the old way” of promotional clothing means focusing on details like collar stays and superior fabrics, ensuring the garment is a piece your team will actually wear for years.
- By handling decoration in-house at their New York facility, Holderness & Bourne offers a retail-like packaging experience and quick lead times, even for smaller orders of 24 pieces.
Watch the full episode HERE.
These partners provided the roadmap for doing branded merch right. We believe that choosing the right piece is a direct reflection of your own commitment to quality, and we’re proud to provide the curation and clarity needed to make those choices simple. We look forward to continuing these conversations in 2026 and helping you navigate the year ahead with a focus on craft and intention.
Stay tuned for episodes in 2026!