This episode is sponsored by alphabroder.

Preparing for the busy fall/winter season is a crucial part of an apparel decoration business’s operations each year. Often, the fall season is a ramp up from summer and leads into the chaotic winter season. From custom, print-on-demand gifts to corporate holiday employee apparel and school orders, getting ahead on these projects helps both shops and customers.

In order to adequately prepare, experts from alphabroder joined this month’s episode of the Apparelist podcast to talk about planning, sales, and becoming the coveted apparel consultant to your customers.

Meet our guests:

• David Clifton, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at alphabroder
• Marc Held, Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Service at alphabroder

Key Takeaways

• Be more than the shop that fulfills a seasonal order — offer suggestions, guidance on new trends, and ways customers can order ahead to prevent delays
• Balancing current orders with preparation for the upcoming season requires owners to communicate with their employees, train them appropriately, and implement automation technology that increases efficiency
• Don’t be afraid to charge a higher price for those rush orders that do come in last minute

Additional Resources for Seasonal Success

• The alphabroder 2025 One-Stop Solution Fall Catalog – pricing included
• The alphabroder 2025 One-Stop Solution Fall Catalog – pricing not included