What does it really mean to make apparel more responsibly? In this episode of Why It Matters, Jeff Solomon talks with Eric Henry, President & CEO of TS Designs, about the power of knowing where our products come from—and why transparency matters.Eric shares TS Designs’ “dirt to shirt” approach, the importance of domestic apparel production, sustainable printing processes, and the challenges facing cotton farmers today. They also discuss how sustainability and transparency can create real opportunities for distributors looking to differentiate their businesses.Because sustainability isn’t about being perfect. It’s about staying curious, asking better questions, and making better choices.#WhyItMatters #Sustainability #SustainableApparel #TSDesigns

People don't remember promotional products because they were inexpensive. They remember them because they were useful.The most sustainable product is often the one people choose to keep.In this episode of Why It Matters, Jeff Solomon sits down with Lane Hokanson, Global Senior Marketing Manager at Goldstar, to uncover why sustainability isn't just about recycled materials. It's about creating products that deliver lasting value for customers, stronger results for brands, and experiences people remember.Together they explore:Why distributors should sell effectiveness instead of priceWhy quality products create stronger brand impressionsHow certifications build trust through proof, not marketing claimsWhy sustainability works best when it's built into smarter merchandiseHow small choices can create meaningful long-term impactOne idea stood out throughout the conversation:Better products create better experiences. They're better for brands, better for customers, and better for business.About Why It MattersWhy It Matters is a Branded Merch Network series exploring the people, ideas, and decisions shaping a better future for promotional products, print, and branded merchandise.This conversation was recorded in July, 2026. Some episodes were originally recorded as part of the Why It Matters library and are now being released on YouTube to make these insights more accessible to the industry.If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more thoughtful discussions on sustainability, innovation, and building a stronger branded merch community.#WhyItMatters #BrandedMerch #PromotionalProducts #Sustainability #BrandStrategy #BusinessLeadership #Goldstar

Alex Eaves, the Founder and owner of STAY VOCAL, has been successfully helping people combat the worldwide waste problem for over two decades by connecting them with reuse solutions.

In 2008, Eaves won a national "Best Small Business Idea" Award when he switched the brand to an entirely reuse apparel brand. That same year, Eaves began leading a passionate reuse lifestyle. In 2014, Eaves became a certified Master Reuser by the Reuse Institute. He's also the director of two award winning documentaries: REUSE! Because You Can't Recycle The Planet. (2015) and The Box Truck Film: Building A Reuseful Home (2022).

Learn more here: https://stayvocal.com/

Uploaded on Mar 5, 2026