Bill Petrie - Writer, Speaker, Entrepreneur

10/30/2026

You know it’s time for Ep. 94 of the Between 2 Brands ! In this week’s Opening Shot, I share some industry quick hits as we are in the middle of the annual “silly season.” After that, I am joined by the one and only Jason Lucash from Rupt! During our conversation we talk about transitioning from the daily grind to retirement, what he learned about himself during that time, the importance of challenging the establishment, and the need to take time for family regardless of how busy you are. It’s a wonderful eye-opening conversation with one of the true originals in the branded merchandise, or any other industry.

HUGE thanks to our friends over at PPAI for sponsoring this fine broadcast. If you haven’t registered for the PPAI Expo, head over to ppai.org/expo to do exactly that and learn about all the amazing new experiences happening in Las Vegas in January!

HUGE thanks to our friends over at PPAI for sponsoring this fine broadcast. If you haven’t registered for the PPAI Expo, head over to ppai.org/expo to do exactly that and learn about all the amazing new experiences happening in Las Vegas in January!You know it’s time for Ep. 94 of the Between 2 ...

10/28/2026

Are you building a brand or simply feeding an algorithm? In my latest , I challenge the idea that more visibility automatically means more business and make the case for focusing less on what's trending and more on what makes your brand worth remembering.

10/23/2026

It’s Friday and time for Ep. 93 of the Between 2 Brands . In the Opening Shot, it’s time for another “Billatorial” I share some very candid thoughts on the (over)use of AI marketing materials and why they’re ineffective. After that, I welcome the Founder of Colemax, Rich Flashenberg. In a wide-ranging discussion, we talk about how the industry has changed in 30 years, the advice he would give his younger self, and a few tips for anyone looking to start their own business.

HUGE Thanks to our friends over at BEL Promo for sponsoring this fine broadcast. When you’re looking for the lowest minimums, deepest inventory, 5-star and A+ service – you know you can BEL Promo that!

HUGE Thanks to our friends over at BEL Promo for sponsoring this fine broadcast. When you’re looking for the lowest minimums, deepest inventory, 5-star and A+ service – you know you can BEL Promo that!It’s Friday and time for Ep. 93 of the Between 2 Brands with your host, Bill Petrie....

10/21/2026

As Josh Robbins and I bring Promocations to Punta Cana for our second land-based Promocations event, there's a method behind the madness of karaoke, silent discos, and the Punta Canalympics. In my latest , I explain why creating opportunities for people to have fun together can lead to the kind of relationships that last long after everyone returns home.

Sometimes the best business relationships begin when we stop taking ourselves so bleeping seriously.As you read this, I'll be in Punta Cana for our second land-based Promocations event, where a group of about 65 branded merchandise suppliers and distributors will spend several days connecting, colla...

10/16/2026

It’s absolutely time for Ep. 92 of the Between 2 Brands ! Today in the “Opening Shot,” I share my thoughts on why Promocations events are successful as I fly to Punta Cana for the second land-based Promocation. After that, I’m joined by my friend who happens to be a partner at Certified Marketing Consultants, the one and only Jamie Watson. During a wide-ranging conversation we discuss how business owners should look at mergers and acquisitions, avoiding common financial pitfalls, and maybe even a bit of golf and Foo Fighters. It’s a great conversation between two service providers who shed some light on something we don’t talk about enough: finances.

This episode of Between Two Brands has been brought to you by the good people at CoasterStone – home of the original absorbent stone coaster. With that combination of stone-cold quality, striking decoration, low cost-per-impression, retail packaging, and unmatched value, David Glenn and his team at CoasterStone are ready to help you make a ROCK-SOLID impression with your clients. Email them at [email protected] today!

This episode of Between Two Brands has been brought to you by the good people at CoasterStone – home of the original absorbent stone coaster. With that combination of stone-cold quality, striking decoration, low cost-per-impression, retail packaging, and unmatched value, David Glenn and his team a...

10/14/2026

Some runs are great while others feel like you're dragging two bags of wet cement down the road. Honestly, business isn't much different. In my latest , I share 10 rules for runners that translate remarkably well to professional success, including why bad days still count and comparison can lead us into races we never intended to enter.

https://www.billpetrie.com/post/the-long-run

10/09/2026

You bet it’s time for Ep. 91 of the Between 2 Brands ! In today’s “Opening Shot,” I talk about the PPAI Global Impact Report and what it tells us about our industry. After that, I am joined by an old friend of the podcasting world, the original good-time player-man himself, Kirby Hasseman. For this episode, we really just had a conversation about life, content, consistency, and different takes on setting boundaries. No big agenda here, just grab some coffee, put on your listening ears, and enjoy the chat.

HUGE thanks to our pals over at SHEPENCO for sponsoring this fine broadcast. For 90 years – and four generations of family ownership – they have defined stability by caring about the success of their distributor partners. Head over to shepenco.com to start your next project today!

HUGE thanks to our pals over at SHEPENCO for sponsoring this fine broadcast. For 90 years – and four generations of family ownership – they have defined stability by caring about the success of their distributor partners. Head over to shepenco.com to start your next project today!You bet it’s ...

10/07/2026

We're taught to grow out of mischief, but I think we need to get better at it. My latest explores why a little purposeful irreverence can reveal personality, challenge expectations, and help us stand out in a world working overtime to make everything look, sound, and feel the same.

In a sea of sameness, a little irreverence might be exactly what helps you stand out.If you know me at all, even just a little bit, you know I have a hard time ignoring an opportunity for a little mischief.Not the kind that gets someone arrested, fired, or escorted out of a trade show by security. I...

10/02/2026

You know it’s time for Ep. 90 of the Between 2 Brands ! In this week’s Opening Shot, I talk about how annoying tactics have taken the humanity out of the sales process and steps we can all take to change that. After that, I am joined by the lovely and talented Tom Clouser from Prime Line. During our conversation we talk things he’s learned from working as both a supplier and distributor, what distributors should NOT ask at a trade show, ways to create a successful networking event, and even a bourbon-themed “Rapid Fire!” Tom is truly one of the nicest guys in the industry, and you don’t want to miss our conversation!

BIG thanks to our pals over at Seven Sourcing for sponsoring this fine broadcast. When you’re ready to be the partner your clients want – one that delivers unique, custom, and bespoke branded merch designed exclusively for them – reach out to Russ and his team at [email protected].

BIG thanks to our pals over at Seven Sourcing for sponsoring this fine broadcast. When you’re ready to be the partner your clients want – one that delivers unique, custom, and bespoke branded merch designed exclusively for them – reach out to Russ and his team at [email protected] kn...

09/30/2026

There will always be reasons not to begin again: we're too old, too established, have too much to lose, or simply don't know what happens next. In my latest , I reflect on my decision to start over and why the security of staying put isn't always as secure as we convince ourselves it is.