📊 HR Data: Did you know 75% of employees quit their jobs within the first 3 years? With the right combination of formal and informal training, you can mitigate this exodus. In short, it’s important to mentor more, train right, and promote differently. Read more here.

👕 Print-On-Demand Win: Bluesky CEO’s shirt targeting Mark Zuckerberg (“a world without Caesars”) went viral at SXSW, with the $40 limited tees generating more revenue in one day than the platform’s custom domain sales over two years. Read more here.

📉 MarketWatch: The Dow Jones is down 14.99% from its all-time high of 45,014.04, and the S&P 500 is down 17.26% from its all-time high of 6,090.27—reflecting significant market corrections amid economic and policy challenges.

🎁 Weekly Giveaway Winner: Congratulations to Alan Jaskiewicz, on winning our giveaway in last week's newsletter! A big thank you to everyone who participated. Missed your chance this time? Don't worry—this week, we're featuring an exclusive Picnic Time’s Downtown Mini Cooler Backpack ($49 MSRP. Check out our "Supplier Spotlight" section below for your chance to win!

🚨 Playbook Alert: 10 proven strategies that transform organizations—all in one free guide. Reply "PLAYBOOK" for immediate access to the resource changing how leading organizations approach employee engagement and client retention.

Words of Wisdom

Quote of the Week

Simon Sinek’s wisdom strikes at the heart of what we believe at Brand Sauce. When employees feel valued through thoughtful recognition programs and intentional culture-building initiatives, that positive energy naturally extends to customer interactions. We've seen it firsthand—organizations that invest in employee appreciation consistently develop stronger external relationships. It’s why we focus on both sides of the equation, helping our partners create meaningful internal experiences that ultimately strengthen their customer connections.

The branded merchandise we provide isn’t just about logos on products—it’s about creating tangible symbols of belonging that employees proudly showcase, turning your team members into authentic ambassadors for your brand.

The Hidden Power of Branded Swag

The Magic Golf Ball

Imagine this. You send your golf-obsessed client a few sleeves of Titleist Pro V1x golf balls, custom-branded with your company logo—just a simple gesture of appreciation.

Weeks later, your phone rings. It's that same client, voice crackling with excitement.

"You're not going to believe this," he says. "Remember those branded golf balls you sent me? Well, I just hit my FIRST HOLE-IN-ONE EVER... with YOUR ball!"

He's practically shouting now. "I'm framing the ball in my office. And the rest? I'm never playing with anything else for the rest of my life."

Of course, I immediately shipped him another batch.

Here's the real ROI, though: How many times will he tell this story? At every client dinner. Every networking event. Every single round of golf for the next decade.

"See this ball? Let me tell you about the time..."

His golf buddies might roll their eyes eventually, but our brand? It's now woven into his greatest golf achievement forever. That's the invisible power of premium branded merchandise—it transforms from simple gift to legendary story.

Sometimes the most powerful marketing doesn't feel like marketing at all.

Print on Demand

Tariffs Send Shockwaves Through Print-On-Demand Industry

President Trump’s new tariff plan has established a minimum 10% “baseline” tariff on virtually all imports, with much higher “reciprocal” rates targeting specific countries. Most notably, China now faces an additional 54% tariff this year alone, with significant rates also hitting Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, and other countries where promo production had been shifting.

What started as rumors has now become reality, with Trump declaring April 2nd as “Liberation Day”—when these new tariffs take effect. While reports suggested he might scale back the scope of these tariffs to focus on about 15% of nations (what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the “dirty 15”), most major promo sourcing countries remain in the crosshairs.

Adding to industry concerns, public hearings have begun on proposed fees of up to $1.5 million on Chinese shipping companies and vessels built in China each time they enter U.S. ports.

❌ Don’t let global trade wars inflate your swag budget! If you notice a hike in merchandise rates, reach out to us at Brand Sauce. We’ll show you how we’re resolving this with American suppliers who are unaffected by the tariffs—ensuring your promotional dollars stretch further while supporting domestic production.

Weekly Supplier Spotlight

Picnic Time - Where Style Meets Function

Meet Picnic Time: Crafting Memories Since 1982

Founded by two Italian immigrants with a passion for bringing people together, Picnic Time has evolved from a garage startup into a celebrated family of lifestyle brands. Their mission remains beautifully simple: create products that inspire friends and family to gather and make lasting memories.

Product of the Week: Downtown Mini Cooler Backpack

This week, we’re highlighting Picnic Time’s Downtown Mini Cooler Backpack ($49 MSRP)—a perfect blend of sophistication and practicality. Crafted from premium vegan pebbled leather, this stylish backpack does double duty with its fully insulated interior, keeping your beverages and snacks at the perfect temperature wherever your day takes you.

Whether you’re commuting to the office, heading to an outdoor concert, or meeting friends at the park, this versatile cooler backpack elevates your everyday carry with its sleek design while hiding its practical purpose. It’s the perfect corporate gift that combines form and function—one your team or clients will actually use daily.

🤝 Partner with Picnic Time

Interested in adding Picnic Time products to your company store? Please let us know—reach out at [email protected].

‼️Swag Giveaway

Email us "PICNIC" and we'll select one lucky winner to receive the Downtown Cooler Backpack ($49 MSRP), customized with your company logo.

Weekend Update

Around the Water Cooler With Ross AKA The P.O.D. Guy

Well… I did it.

I figured out how to propose, and she said YES.

Thank you to everyone who shared ideas and encouragement in a previous newsletter. Your support meant a lot as I nervously pieced together the plan.

It was definitely stressful to organize, but everything came together beautifully. We were in Palm Desert with all four kids and my parents, which made it even more special; the kids got to be a part of it.

While my parents took the kids to Dave & Buster’s for a little break, I got down on one knee. By the time they returned to the hotel, it had just happened.

I hired a photographer to capture the moment, so now we’ve got memories and photos to hold onto forever.

Honestly, I still can’t believe I found Madison… and that she wants to marry me. My friends keep reminding me just how lucky I am, and they’re right.

Now it’s your turn: Send me your best marriage advice.

This will be my second time around, and I want to do everything I can to build something lasting and joyful with Madison.

What worked for you?

What do you wish someone had told you sooner?

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