Crystal products have long been known for their exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance. There’s a good reason why some of the most notable awards—such as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the Global Recognition Awards—are commemorated with crystal. Organizations have long presented them for major milestones like years of service and sales goals, but now they’re shifting to also using them for smaller recognitions that highlight frequent, constant, and individual contributions.

Once considered more unconventional, equipment leasing has now become mainstream. In addition to being a cost-effective opportunity, the practice is helping to level a crowded playing field within the personalization industry by giving new and small business owners greater access to funding. And as persistent inflation and high interest rates continue to apply financial pressure on business owners, equipment leasing is likely to continue to rise in popularity.

As one of the largest online marketplaces for hand-made and unique goods, etsy.com offers artisans and creators a global audience of shoppers to showcase their products. In the first quarter of 2024, more than 91 million global buyers, including 5.7 million new buyers, shopped the Etsy marketplace. In 2023, the gross Etsy marketplace sales were $13.2 billion. Read that again: $13.2 billion!

The awards and personalization industry serves a variety of customers, ranging from sports teams to service clubs, local businesses to churches, and even kids to grandmothers. But one market segment heavily uses the products and services of our personalization professionals: schools.

Whether it’s a sustainable plaque, a tech-infused gadget, or a customized desk accessory, functional awards are reshaping the landscape of recognition and leaving a meaningful impression on those being honored. While traditional trophies and plaques maintain their timeless allure, awards that have a use—such as tumblers, USB devices, clocks, and phone cases—have redefined the concept of acknowledgment by seamlessly blending utility with elegance.

Jim Nother has always seen himself as an encourager, dedicated to uplifting friends, family, customers, and employees. As the owner and president of Nothers The Award Store, in London, Ontario, Canada, he’s spent his career doing just that.

For many retailers, marketing can be a challenge and therefore easily avoided. Common reasons to avoid even thinking about marketing may include limited time and money, a lack of understanding of social media or other distribution channels, or even difficulty targeting the right audience.

Rustic Falls Engraving—better known as RF Engraving—sits at the center of town in Grantsville, Utah. About 30 miles west of Salt Lake City, Grantsville is home to 12,000 people. While RF Engraving has done work across the country and internationally, the majority of their business is closer to home, including from nearby Salt Lake City.

Say you go into a fast food restaurant and order a No. 5 with a Coke. After receiving your order, the employees are off and running.

Sound familiar? But what you might not realize is that the minute you walk into any fast food location, the operational systems are already in motion: How they handle customers, supplies and production is all pre-determined. Business seminars, books and courses often recommend that business operations mirror popular chains like McDonald's.

In-person customer service and relationship-building have been the backbone of the personalization industry for decades—something not likely to change any time soon. Across the board, though, digital tools are helping personalization shops increase sales, find new customers, manage employees and a whole lot more.