Johnny Cupcakes to Open PPAI
PPAI announced Johnny “Cupcakes” Earle as the Tuesday Opening General Session speaker at The PPAI Expo on Tuesday, January 9 at 8:30 a.m.
Johnny will share his story of how a 19-year-old with a learning disability took his his T-shirt brand from the trunk of his rusty car to some of the world's most sought-after retail locations. Over the past decade Johnny Cupcakes has grown from a “joke” to a multi-million-dollar, highly exclusive T-shirt brand driven by a community of worldwide collectors. He has been named: America's #1 Young Entrepreneur by Businessweek; one of the top innovative people in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe and one of the INC 500/5000 fastest growing independent companies in America four years in a row.
Register and learn more about The PPAI Expo 2017, January 8-12, 2017, by visiting ppai.org/expo.
Halo Land Purchase Approved
The Sterling, IL Industrial Development Commission has approved the sale of a business development park, paving the way for Halo Branded Solutions to construct a new headquarter, which the company says could accommodate up to 250 new jobs over the next five years. The new building will increase Halo’s available space by about 50 percent. There also is enough land to allow for a future expansion for the company’s next growth phase.
Maple Ridge Farms Adds Jamie Johnson as a Sales Consultant
Maple Ridge Farms announced the appointment of Jamie Johnson to the position of sales consultant. She will be working with promotional products distributors throughout the United States and Canada.
Johnson was previously employed by Maple Ridge Farms, having worked in the printing department, production, customer service, and sales. She also has promotional products experience working for A. K. Rose Co., a distributor in Minneapolis, MN.
“I have known Jamie for many years and have a great deal of respect for the outstanding work she has done both outside and within the promotional products industry,” said Tom Riordan, president. “We are excited to be able to bring her expertise and talent back to Maple Ridge Farms. She will be responsible for working with distributors on their sales and marketing programs, making distributor sales calls, and attending industry trade shows.”
“I truly enjoy forming relationships and discovering ways to engage with our customers and their needs,” Johnson said. “I am excited to share my commitment to providing the highest level of service and establishing a long-term relationship between our customers and Maple Ridge Farms. Working with a group of individuals whoplace their personal stamp of quality on each project they touch is remarkable!”