Jay Busselle

This is my story. I started creating graphics and screen printing in the early 1980's in Mr. Perry's graphics class at East High School. I figured out how to print “unofficial replica” t-shirts of my favorite skiing and skateboarding companies, as well as a few bands which will remain nameless. My graphics career was on fire as a cut-and-paste artist for a yellow page publishing company in college. After 3 years of college, I dropped out and started working for a screen printer. Eventually I started a family owned promotional advertising agency in Phoenix, AZ. It's been about 36 years since I printed my first t-shirt and I still enjoy hanging out with other promo peeps and apparel geeks on the island of misfit toys! I’m currently the director of marketing for Equipment Zone. I founded an industry Twitter chat called #promochat and I’m a self-proclaimed CTO – Chief Taco Officer. I’m invited to speak and train on topics like marketing, social media and branding at promo & apparel industry trade shows. I’m most proud of my family. We have six kids, yes – 6! No double or triples, all of them are ours… yes, we know what was causing it and no, we’re not having anymore.

Year Started: 1990

Favorite Promotional Product: T-shirt

Favorite Musician/Bands, 70’s: The Eagles, Cheap Trick, Queen. 80’s: Talking Heads, The Police, The Clash, U2, The English Beat, Oingo Boingo, The Cure, INXS. 90’s & 2000’s: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Weezer, Foo Fighters.

Profession Before: Waiter, Ski Rentals & Reservations

First Promo Sold: T-shirt

Where Do You Live: Phoenix, AZ.

Favorite Vacation Spots: Newport Beach, CA / Park City, UT / Lake Powel, AZ / Rocky Point, MEXICO

Hobbies: Tacos and listening to music or marketing podcasts while walking

Favorite Alt Word for “Promotional Product”: Swag

Favorite Quote: “The reason that art is valuable is precisely why I can't tell you how to do it. If there were a map, there'd be no art, because art is the act of navigating without a map. Don't you hate that? I love that there's no map.” ― Seth Godin, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

Most overused / annoying word: Honestly