The 2025 July podcast episode of Threads of Change features an interview with Erich Campbell. If you don’t know Erich, he’s an expert and artistic digitizer, a favorite speaker and instructor at a number of trade shows, and the host of the always informative podcast, The TakeUp, which deals with all things embroidery. He’s also an advocate for promoting education in the printing industry.

A big part of our discussion was about widening the instructor pool for trade shows and instructional videos and how to bring a more diverse group of people into the industry. There’s also the question of what can be done to ensure that existing knowledge is not lost and is shared as widely as possible. As a side note, there’s also a need to nurture the interest of young people who may be the next generation of business owners.

If preserving the legacy of knowledge and ensuring the industry prospers far into the future is of concern for you, here are some ideas for being part of the solution.

Tip 1: Be a Curator, Not an Owner, of Knowledge

Back in the day, there was a culture of secrecy in many parts of the industry. The idea was that hoarding what you knew was the way to go, since sharing your knowledge would give away your advantage. The truth is that being collaborative and sharing knowledge is better. Yes, there are proprietary processes and things that are trade secrets, but most knowledge can, and should, be shared. Cultivate a culture of abundance and know there are enough customers and enough space for everyone. Sharing knowledge and creating a community means that more resources are available and that knowledge is preserved and not lost when a business closes or a particular expert retires.

Tip 2: Answer the Call

One of the best ways to diversify the speaker population is to encourage new people to apply to be speakers. Every year, most trade shows put out calls, and every year a lot of the same people apply. If we want to see a more diverse speaker panel at various trade shows and conferences, then more diverse people need to apply. Help spread the word to your community when calls are put out. Encourage those around you to become speakers. Offer help and advice to those considering it, but may be apprehensive. And if you are considering becoming a speaker, come up with a class idea, fill out the form, and submit it.  Submitting an idea can be scary, standing up in front of an audience for the first time can be intimidating, but every current speaker had to make the leap, and you can, too.

Tip 3: Don’t Hold Others Back in an Effort to Succeed

Your candle will not burn brighter if you blow someone else’s candle out. You will not move forward if you work to hold others back. There are a thousand cliches on this subject that could be used, but the idea behind them is this: Be the person who gives others a leg up or a foot in the door, not the person who holds others back. Making opportunities for others and supporting those who are just starting out should always be a goal. Everyone got their start from someone, somewhere. Be the person who makes opportunities, not the person who keeps pulling others back so you can get ahead.

Tip 4: Support Younger People’s Interest in the Industry

Cassie Green leading a tour through the Apparel Zone during Student Day. | Credit: Steven Martine Photography 2024

There are programs out there like SkillsUSA that are always looking for judges. Volunteer to be one. Host an applicable high school or college class in your shop and show them how a business like yours works. Go to a career day at a local high school or college. Take on interns from local programs. Support scholarships for young people to attend trade shows or workshops. Do what you can to give young people who have an interest in what we do an avenue through which they can learn. The best way to make sure the industry continues to grow and diversify is to encourage the interest of those who are learning about the disciplines we pursue and supporting their path to becoming a part of the industry.

Tip 5: Advocate or Support Advocacy

There are a number of organizations out there — Women in Print Alliance being one example — that are advocating for diverse groups in the industry, or for the industry as a whole. Support those groups, either with time or financially, that align with your interests and beliefs. If you can’t find a group that you feel meets your needs, consider starting your own. Having a community that is supportive and working on your behalf can be the difference between success or failure. The amount of time or money that you have to offer doesn’t matter, what matters is participating and making your voice heard.

Tip 6: Be the Support System You Wanted

In the world of childhood trauma, a common saying is, “Be the adult you needed as a child.” In the world of decoration, printing, and promo products, the phrase would likely read, “Be the support you wish you’d had when you were starting out.” Sometimes it’s scary to push the button, release the first design, or speak in front of a group for the first time. Be the person who’s there with a kind word, a supportive hug, or a smile from the back of the room when it’s needed. Being creative and showing your work can be intimidating. Buying a machine that, in some cases costs thousands of dollars and then realizing you could push one button and screw everything up, is alarming. Sometimes we need someone to say it’s o.k. If you didn’t have that when you were starting out, be that person for someone else.