Jason Lipsett, 34
President
Charles River Apparel
Sharon, Massachusetts
What do you love about promo?
I’m very privileged to be the third generation of my family’s business. The relationships I’ve been able to develop over the years with our employees, customers and all our partners makes it that much more meaningful to me.
What excites you about the day to day?
Continuing to see us accomplish and strive for a common goal. I was an athlete growing up, so I bring that spirit – not just the competitive side but working as a team – into what I do daily.
Why do you think you were nominated to be a PPAI Rising Star?
I try to be a good listener and ask questions while continuing to reflect on what I can do more effectively. I try to lead with integrity, and I believe that any failure is just an opportunity to improve and grow in what you’re doing.
What is the biggest challenge for your company?
Continuing to innovate and try new things while staying true to who you are. Whether it’s technology or trying to figure out the next strategy that you think can grow the company, there are a lot of paths that you can take.
How can the promotional products industry improve its reputation?
The industry’s reputation is very strong and I’m excited to see more awareness come from outside the industry about what we’re all doing here. Bringing suppliers and distributors together is a positive step so we can all brainstorm and look beyond ourselves to figure out how to increase our reach. It’s also exciting to see the shift to focusing on sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
What does the industry need to do to attract and retain more young leaders?
Giving back is a big part of what young people today care about. They want to be at organizations that are mission-oriented and have a purpose. For us as an industry, it’s important to clearly articulate and communicate that message to young people and show that there are a lot of opportunities. There’s no set path in our industry, which is unique.
