The Dunstan Group

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Getting Creative as Favorite Local Fundraiser Gets “UnLooped”

Even if you’ve never ridden a bike further than your neighborhood, you’ve probably heard of the legendary Booty Loop. The loop of streets around Myers Park is a favorite place for cyclists to train, and host to the epic 24 Hours of Booty cancer fundraiser every year. Since the “24 HoB” began in 2002, it has raised nearly $21 million for cancer navigation services and support, including a record-breaking $1.4 million in 2019. How do you top that? In a pandemic?

In 2020, to turn a phrase, you “unloop” it. Because of COVID-19, and the health and safety of participants, this year’s 24 Hours of Booty is a virtual event. What does this mean? It means teams are encouraged to register, fundraise, and participate in their own events that they create. Welcome to the “UnLooped” 24 Hours of Booty.

“We’ve taken different components and found ways to bring it to your backyard,” says Executive Director Katy Ryan. “We’ve asked participants to organize events and have fun, within social distancing guidelines.” 109 teams have registered so far, says Ryan, and they’re encouraged to take pictures and tag @24Foundation on social media during the 24 hours the race would have taken place, July 24-25, from 7pm to 7pm.

And just like years past, participants will still get a goody bag of cool swag, provided by sponsors and the Dunstan Group. The Dunstan Group is in the business of making branded apparel and accessories, but their driving mission is to be an active part of the community by doing good. The company has been providers and brand-setters for 24 HoB for the past decade, because of Dunstan Group Founder and President Scott Dunstan’s experience with his own mother’s cancer battle.

“It’s part of who we want to be,” says Scott Dunstan. “Part of building a business is being a part of the community.”

Among the items participants will find in swag bags include a branded water bottle sponsored by PNC, sparklers for a memorial to cancer victims and survivors, and luminaries to set out at the curb just like the ones on the traditional route. The Dunstan Group is supplying T-shirts, pens, and card-holders for phone cases, and incentive items like hammocks for top fundraisers. The challenges of a virtual event were a chance for the Dunstan Group to show its creativity.

“The virtual element is a whole new world,” says Scott Dunstan, noting that giving participants T-shirts is literally “part of the fabric” of 24 Hours of Booty. But creativity is where the Dunstan Group really shines. “We listen, we understand what’s happening, and we come back with ideas within the budget we have.”

“Scott was such an integral part of growing the 24 brand, I don’t know where we’d be right now without his insight,” says Ryan. “We really owe a great deal to the Dunstan Group for all of that.”

And challenges? “Any time we have a group we want to reach out to, Scott has a solution for that,” says Ryan.

So even in a year when a celebrated event can’t take place in-person, the mission of raising money for cancer support goes on in neighborhoods across the Charlotte area. Every little bit counts, and any way the Dunstan Group can create a win-win proposal, they do it.

“It’s tough thing to do that this year, but everyone understands that,” says Scott Dunstan. “We don’t have as much to give this year, but the goal is to stay here and stay active, so we can give more next year.”

Keep it Local with Made in the USA Product 

Aside from voting, there’s likely nothing more patriotic than buying American-made goods and services. Arguably, there is no better time than now to keep your money local. And yes, there’s an ever-expanding list of MUSA branded merchandise and apparel options to tell your story, build your brand, and make a lasting impression. Here are some of our year-round favorites here at The Dunstan Group. 

Coleman 16-Quart Wheeled Cooler

Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t take it outside and keep your cool with even the most intimate group. This Coleman 16-Quart Wheeled Cooler is made from high-density foam insulation for maximum cold retention. With a big, bold, space for branding, too. Now that’s cool! 

SlingGrip Phone Grips 

Give ANY phone case secure, one-handed, easy-to-use grip with SlingGrip Phone Grips. SlingGrip uses a removable, non-sticky, adhesive for easy attachment. It’s “pocket friendly,” and comes in a variety of base colors that are sure to match your brand and logo. 

Grip Write Digital Full Color Wrap Pen 

You’ve heard the new saying: keep your germs AND the pen. These are some of the most popular wide-body pens in the marketplace— and for good reason. For starters, you get one of the LARGEST imprint areas available. Eversmooth ink in black or blue, and a great price create a proven winner! 

Bayside Canvas Tote 

Here’s an item that’ll get year-round use. These Bayside Canvas Totes are perfect for grocery runs, beach trips, or travel. Great colors and plenty of room for decoration, plus the 100% cotton canvas construction is built to last. That means they’ll carry around YOUR brand and logo for a long, long time. 

Shop these Made in the USA faves and more here: https://shop.dunstangroup.biz/sr/1841860

Saying MORE with Branded Merchandise 

If a picture says 1,000 words, we’re pretty sure branded merchandise can say a whole lot more. Imagine that every time your client puts that product to use, the message you hoped to convey is repeated once more. And while we’re all still navigating in social distancing limbo, those messages are more important than ever. 

A most recent project here at The Dunstan Group bundled Fourth of July themed drinkware and a thoughtful “thank you” note from a financial services firm that wanted to let their customers know how much they appreciate the partnership. To further the “wow factor,” these surprise packages are being delivered “direct-to-client,” just in time for the holiday. 

Ordinarily, we’d share a few more details, but we don’t want to spoil our client’s surprise! But this same kind of experience is one that can be replicated across brands, across business lines, or across departments, and just about anywhere across the planet with direct-to-client shipping. 

Branded merchandise and apparel can say, “thank you.” Unless you’re a grocery store or gas station, you’re probably not transacting with your client on a daily basis. In between sales you can let them know you appreciate the business. 

Branded merchandise and apparel can say, “we’re thinking about you.” We get it; these are strange times, indeed. Most every brand and business is going through some kind of struggles. Let your clients know we’re all in this together, and that you’re just a phone call or email away.

Branded merchandise and apparel can say, “we support you.” Got employees still juggling the work-from-home life? Connect with a gift sent right to their door. Let’s be honest; getting the mail is kind of exciting these days. 

Branded merchandise and apparel can say, “let’s get together.” Even if you’ll never get closer than a zoom call these days, branded merchandise or apparel can be a unique personal invitation. 

And the list doesn’t end there. What do YOU want to say to clients, employees, or prospects? For every reason to communicate, there’s an effective and useful piece of branded merchandise or apparel that can do the talking. We’re here to listen— let us know how we can help! 

Back to Work

Like many of you, the team here at The Dunstan Group is making adjustments as we phase into the next normal. We appreciate that each and every client, industry, or partner may need or want to approach doing business in different ways. Your satisfaction is always our highest priority, but so is your health and safety. Because of that, we want to make sure we’re as accommodating and cautious as possible to meet your needs. 

Along with following public health’s best practices for social distancing, hand washing, and workplace hygiene, we’re implementing the following procedures to make it easy and comfortable to work with us here at The Dunstan Group:

Showroom Visits: Yes, you can still schedule an in-person meeting or presentation with us here at The Dunstan Group! For everyone’s safety, we’re scheduling in-person meetings with no overlap, and with time to clean in between sessions. Our large, open showroom provides plenty of space to spread out. Hand sanitizer and branded face coverings are available for your convenience and peace of mind. 

Virtual Presentation: By now, everyone’s familiar with zoom, Ring Central, and other online meeting platforms. We’re happy to arrange a virtual meeting or presentation that fits your schedule. We broadcast directly to you from our BrandBuilders Podcast studio! 

Phone Call or Email: Ready to place an order? Want to schedule a showroom or virtual presentation? Need advice on outfitting your team, company, or employees with industry-recommended PPE? We’re always open for calls and emails. 

Sample Policy: Need to see or feel the product for yourself? We get it! Branded merchandise is the only marketing that has the potential to touch all of the senses. We have an easy-to-use sample policy that can provide a touch-free way to get product in your hands before you make your decision. 

Product Pick-up Delivery Options: For your convenience, we can have orders mailed directly to you. Just let us know! 

We’ll all get through this together, and we look forward to working with you as your business, event, industry, or nonprofit ease back into doing what you do best. We’re here to help you and yours get back to work! 

Everybody’s Zooming. Play it Safe 

It seems like everybody’s “Zooming,” or using some kind of videoconferencing to stay connected. We’re using Zoom or other platforms for casual get-togethers with family and friends, classes, networking events, and virtual happy hours too. 

Videoconferencing isn’t a new technology, but Zoom is taking a lot of heat for privacy and security shortcomings. And internet security pros say the platform isn’t completely to blame. Its ease of use and rapid acceptance by practically everyone have exposed issues more quickly than they might possibly be addressed under normal volume and circumstances. Exponentially larger audiences have also created a higher level of scrutiny. 

Updated security features mean nothing if we don’t put them to work. As consumers and users, we can take a more active role in protecting ourselves. We talked to Tom Blanchard from Sterling Technology Solutions for some tips: 

  • Don’t type in confidential info of ANY kind. Whether that’s the meeting topic, or chat information, or other identifying data. Here’s why: When hackers are looking at Zoom data, Blanchard says it’s text info they’re looking for. They’re not looking at video. DON”T enter confidential info. EVER. Keep that out of meeting info.
  • Add password protection, or don’t bypass the password option when setting up the meeting. As an added layer of security, send that separately from the meeting ID or login.
  • If you have a public meeting NEVER EVER share your screen, reminds Blanchard. Along with having tabs open that may reveal personal or embarrassing information, they may also expose more sensitive details like logins, passwords, or account numbers. 
  • Only allow people to join your meeting if they sign in to the meeting with the email address that YOU invited. That will create a second layer between the hackers and the meeting. 

Working with kids requires extra care, particularly since most school-age kids are taking classes online and many teachers or coaches may not have had experience in the teleconferencing space. Dr. Sharon Jones from the dot. consulting and The Dottie Rose Foundation adds the following recommended precautions.

  • As the meeting host, take advantage of the “waiting room” feature. This will allow you to approve any participants before they enter into the videoconference. 
  • Follow the same guidelines you would in a real classroom. In her Zoom classes, she has at least one other grown-up on the class for security. 
  • Jones also records all the classes to serve as a record of what goes on during those classes, should there ever be a question. 

Technology like Zoom calls will likely become more widely accepted going forward. The more users, the more data, and the more attractive the platforms become for hackers. Another great idea is to get familiar with the platforms and their features during more casual calls first. 

 

A Personal Touch in the Age of Social Distancing

With conferences, classes, and even championships being cancelled, businesses and nonprofits of all sizes are wondering how they’ll make connections, educate, and entertain during these unique circumstances. We believe branded merchandise can provide some relief. We’re not suggesting we’ll set the economy straight or “flatten the curve,” but if you’re struggling with how to pivot in this current environment, consider this:

Branded Merchandise is Personal

Take branded merchandise beyond “swag” and see it for what it can be: a gift, an award, or an item to make the recipient’s day or job easier or more enjoyable. Branded merchandise has the potential to touch all five senses. That’s pretty personal, even in this age of “social distancing.” Not many forms of communication — much less marketing — can say that.

Branded Merchandise is Useful

Investing in products your audience will use makes branded merchandise even more appealing. It’s not “trinkets and trash” if your branded merchandise is thoughtfully selected with your audience or end user in mind. Think about it: branded merchandise has YOUR logo on it. Why would you invest in anything but a useful product?

Branded Merchandise Tells a Story

More importantly, branded merchandise tells YOUR story. And when chosen properly, it can tell that story over and over again. Branded merchandise creates positive brand association, increased customer loyalty, and brand recognition. When telling your brand story, consider branded merchandise the noun of the very first sentence.

Branded Merchandise Makes a Lasting Impression

Think about that simple, reusable bag from that popular athletic apparel store. You know the one. Not only does it carry your most recent purchase from the retail store, it doubles as a lunch bag or grocery tote, it keeps your running shoes separated in your gym bag, etc. That’s a whole lot of usefulness and a whole lot of impressions in between.

Making Time

“The times, they are a changing,” sang Bob Dylan, and it’s also a timely reminder to Spring Ahead for Daylight Saving Time! Twice a year, we reset our watches and enjoy our extra hour of daylight either as we head to work, or out to play afterwards. Either way, we want to know just the right time go places, and these stylish time pieces and accessories can help. Best of all, they can all be customized to create a long-lasting reminder of your brand!

Classic Bulova

Round silver dial with Arabic numerals and a silver tone case show you love of classic style and timeless durability at any hour. Stainless steel bracelet withstands spring rains and so does the watch, with water resistance to 30 meters.

Epoch Style

Elevate your Apple Watch to ascendant levels of fashion and functionality with our Epoch watchband, crafted from raw, top-grain cowhide and reinforced with hand-sewn waxed thread. Gold or gunmetal hardware and nine leather tones match your design and style, with your school, club, business name, or logo ingrained. Made in the USA.

Color your iHome

Make your brand glow with this timely, color-changing Bluetooth Alarm Clock from iHome. The dual-alarm clock and speaker system has Qi wireless fast charging, USB charging, and speakerphone in 7 color-changing modes that stream music wirelessly and let you take hands-free calls.

Block Out Time for This

Light up your days with this simple, yet elegant, Blue Cube Alarm Clock in attractive bamboo veneer that blends beautifully with natural décor. Large, understated surfaces make great backgrounds for your company imprint while keeping you on time during extra daylight hours.

Extra Steps

Those longer sunny days make us ready to get outdoors for a run or ride to better health. This Health Measuring Bracelet Pedometer keeps track of those miles and smiles with step, calorie, distance, time, and multiple wellness measures. You can tell your friends all about your progress with call, text, webchat, and apps. Bring on Spring!

 

Rainy Day Coverage

Like the saying goes, if there’s one thing predictable about Spring weather it’s that it will be practically unpredictable. If it’s anything like this week, there’s plenty of wet weather before we hit the heat of summer. The Dunstan Group can have you and your crew covered for the rainy days ahead. Here are some of our seasonal favorites for Spring! 

Inverted Umbrellas 

Every time we see these we wonder; why didn’t we think of that? Like any old umbrella, this inverted umbrella has you covered. But once you’re in the house, the office, or the car, it folds its “wet side” away to keep floors and car seats dry, too. Genius! 

Rain Poncho Ball 

We’ve all been caught in the rain without the proper gear. Make it easy for your clients, friends, and team members to be prepared for Spring storms — and keep your brand close at hand. The Rain Poncho Ball includes, of course, a waterproof poncho enclosed in a colorful, brandable, ball! Included clip makes it easy to attach to bags and backpacks. 

Wet/Dry Bag

Take it with you AND keep it dry no matter the forecast or conditions. This water-resistant day bag is great for travel, trips to the gym or the beach, and anywhere else you want to keep your wet and dry gear separated. A big main compartment is paired with a mesh zipper compartment for the ultimate ease of use. Includes a removable carry strap, too! 

Silicone Waterproof Shoe Covers

Waterproof, packable, and perfect in a pinch — or any other time you need your feet protected from the wet weather. We love the grippy sole, and the BIG space for branding, too. One size fits most adults; made of stretchable, easy-to-wear silicone. 

The North Face DryVent Jacket 

An impenetrable barrier between you and the elements. The North Face DryVent rain jacket is a waterproof, breathable, technical jacket that lets you explore the trails — or anywhere else — without getting soaked. Plus, the100% windproof fabric blocks the gusts, while pit zips and an adjustable hood customize ventilation. Men’s and women’s sizes and colors, too!