Kings of Swag is your front-row ticket to the world of promotional products—from distributors and suppliers to the brands that make headlines. Hosted by Jeremy Parker, co-founder and former CEO of Swag.com, each episode digs into the journeys, motivations, and lessons of the promo industry’s top leaders and innovators. Whether you’re building a career in swag or simply need a fresh dose of entrepreneurial inspiration, tune in and discover what’s possible.
James Armijo, CEO of Taivo, joins Jeremy Parker to talk about his unlikely path into the promotional products industry — and what he's learned about building, acquiring, and integrating software businesses along the way.
James joined Inktavo as CEO in 2022 without a background in promotional products. Instead, he brought years of experience building software for highly specific customer groups, from small businesses to doctor's offices and childcare centers. That experience became the foundation for his approach to Taivo: learn the industry, listen to customers, and build technology around the problems they actually need solved.
James walks Jeremy through the evolution from Printavo and Inksoft to Inktavo, and ultimately the merger with OrderMyGear that created Taivo. He explains how he thinks about M&A through his “three-legged stool” of customers, employees, and investors — and why a deal needs to make sense for all three.
They also get into one of the hardest parts of scaling a company: people. James shares a leadership mistake that taught him the importance of recognizing when someone may no longer be the right fit for a role, and why making that decision sooner can ultimately be more humane for everyone involved.
Plus, James explains how Taivo approaches technology adoption, why software should improve existing workflows rather than simply digitize them, and why being willing to fail is an essential part of building a company that can keep adapting.
In this episode:
• James's journey from SaaS investing to becoming a CEO
• Entering the promotional products industry as an outsider
• The evolution from Printavo and Inksoft to Inktavo and Tevo
• Integrating different companies, cultures, and teams
• The three-legged stool of customers, employees, and investors
• How James evaluates acquisitions and mergers
• Getting customers to actually adopt new technology
• AI, automation, and reducing friction in business workflows
• A major leadership failure and the lesson it taught him
• Why successful companies have to keep adapting
2 Sept 2026
Peter Hirsch: From a South African Factory Riot to a $60M Promotional Powerhouse
How do you go from losing everything in a South African factory riot to building a $60M promotional products empire in the United States?
Peter Hirsch, Founder and Chairman of Hirsch, joins Jeremy Parker to share one of the most incredible "second act" stories in the industry. At age 45, Peter moved his family to Houston, TX, starting as a warehouse laborer before launching a gift business out of his kitchen. Today, Hirsch is a Top 20 supplier and the premier destination for retail brands like JBL and BrüMate in the promo space.
In this episode, Peter pulls back the curtain on the "JBL Pivot" that redefined their product offering and explains the democratic leadership style that earned them "Best Place to Work" honors. We also dive into the transition of leadership to his son, Paul, and why Peter believes that philanthropy—specifically through their work with Patriot Coolers and Homes For Our Troops—is the true heartbeat of a successful company.
Key Takeaways:
Resilience: Navigating the transition from South African manufacturing to the US market.
Focus: Moving from a "garage-based" general importer to a specialized retail brand powerhouse.
Succession: The honest dynamics of a father-son handoff during a global crisis.
Culture: Implementing "Kaizen" (continuous improvement) to keep staff engaged and innovative.
Whether you're an entrepreneur facing a major pivot or a leader looking to build a legacy of giving, Peter’s journey offers a masterclass in grit and gratitude.
#promotionalproducts #entrepreneurship #leadership #familybusiness #HirschGift #swag
22 Jul 2026
The Founder Who Reinvented Business Cards | Richard Moross, MOO.com
How do you turn a business card into a global lifestyle brand? Richard Moross, Founder and CEO of MOO, joins Jeremy Parker to share the story of one of the most successful pivots in design history.
Long before MOO was a household name for premium stationery, it was a struggling social card startup called "Pleasure Cards." In this episode, Richard pulls back the curtain on the early failures, the viral partnerships with Flickr and Facebook, and the philosophy of "design-led growth" that turned MOO into a $150M+ powerhouse.
Richard and Jeremy discuss:
The transition from a "failed" social networking idea to a premium B2B brand.
Navigating the "Existential Shock" of COVID-19 and how they managed a 80% drop in revenue.
MOO's expansion into a "Capsule Wardrobe" of premium swag, including their award-winning notebooks and water bottles.
Why "Human Connection" is the most valuable currency in the age of AI.
Whether you are a designer, a tech founder, or a promo industry professional, Richard’s insights on maintaining brand integrity while scaling globally are essential listening.
#promotionalproducts #branding #entrepreneurship #leadership #MOO #designinnovation
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
10,170
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
28
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
32
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