Mixing Experience with Innovation: A Generational Recipe for Success in Promo

The future of the print, promo, and apparel industry is shaped by the next generation and the leaders who embrace them. In this special episode of Meet Us in the Kitchen, Kate Alavez, President of PromoShop, hosts a candid conversation on how to recruit, nurture, and empower emerging talent. Joined by Victoria Ramos from PromoShop and Chris Perry from 1-800-T-Shirts, the discussion dives into shifting values, workplace expectations, and what it takes to create an environment where young professionals thrive. With humor, insight, and a few spicy takes, this episode serves up a feast of food-for-thought on building a stronger, future-ready industry.

Kate kicks things off by highlighting the importance of strategic hiring and engagement. The industry needs to position itself for long-term growth by understanding the expectations of younger professionals. Today’s recruits are not just looking for a job. They want purpose, flexibility, and alignment with their values. From sustainability to company culture, Kate explains why fostering a workspace that listens and adapts is essential to attracting top talent.

Victoria, who started at the front desk at PromoShop ten years ago and now works with one of the company’s largest teams, offers a firsthand perspective on career growth. She shares how the younger workforce is deeply concerned with environmental impact, ethical business practices, and long-term stability. Victoria emphasizes that companies must be honest about job expectations and career progression. Transparency and mentorship are just as crucial as a paycheck.

Chris brings a unique perspective, having spent years working with hundreds of young professionals through University Tees’ campus manager program. As a former leader in that space, he has been on the front lines of recruiting and training future promo professionals and has seen firsthand how Gen Z approaches work. His insight? Today’s young talent is not afraid to demand fair compensation, work-life balance, and a clear growth path. They also bring fresh ideas, new perspectives, and an entrepreneurial mindset that companies should embrace rather than fear. Creating space for them to contribute is more important than holding onto outdated processes.

As the discussion wraps up, Kate drops a truth bomb. Building on what Victoria said about sharks, seasoned leaders hesitate to give young talent the "bigger tank" to grow because they are afraid. Afraid of losing control, of being proven wrong, or of making themselves replaceable. But the best leaders lean into vulnerability, embrace change, and recognize that empowering the next generation does not diminish their own value. It multiplies it. Victoria, Chris, and Kate remind us that fostering an open, adaptable, and collaborative workplace is not just good for business. It is essential for the industry's future.

🔥Hungry for more? Dig into the full conversation and hear these industry pros break it down. Big thanks to Kate, Victoria, and Chris for serving up some seriously insightful (and occasionally spicy) wisdom in this episode. Watch now and join the conversation. Extra points if you bring chips and salsa! 🌮🎤

Here are my Key Takeaways from our conversation about Generational Recipe for Success in Promo

1️⃣"Do Not Oversell the Recipe" – Transparency in recruiting matters. Just like you would not promise a gourmet meal and serve microwave dinners, hiring managers need to set clear expectations about job roles, pay, and growth opportunities to avoid disappointment.

2️⃣"Let the Dough Rise" – Growth takes time. Young professionals want to accelerate quickly, but career progression, like baking bread, requires patience, the right ingredients, and a supportive environment to reach full potential.

3️⃣"Pass the Secret Sauce" – Sharing knowledge is key. Just as great chefs mentor their sous chefs, seasoned leaders must share insights, provide guidance, and empower the next generation rather than hoarding opportunities.

4️⃣"Mix It Up" – Old school methods are not always the best recipe for success. Just as a good kitchen experiments with new flavors, companies should welcome fresh perspectives and innovative approaches rather than sticking to the same (sometimes stale) ingredients.

5️⃣ "Spicy Conversations Make the Best Dishes" – Tough conversations about leadership, expectations, and change can be uncomfortable, but they are necessary. A little heat in the discussion often leads to the most flavorful results.

3 Killer Quotes

Kate Alavez: “Sometimes the hardest thing for leaders to do is let go. But the best leaders do not hold on. They create space for others to grow.”

Victoria Ramos: “If you put a shark in a small tank, it will not grow. But if you give it space, it expands. The same goes for people in the right environment.”

Chris Perry: “The way I did it ten years ago is NOT the best way to do it now. If we are not willing to evolve, we are holding our businesses back.”