Today we’d like to introduce you to JOSEPH HENDERSON.
JOSEPH, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my business in 1996 and built it by working part time for 5 years until I took it full time in 2001. The first 2 years I worked full time as a graveyard server at Shari’s Restaurant then took a job as a Junior High history and PE teacher at Sunnyside Christian school where I attended Sunnyside Foursquare church and where I was married to my wife Kim in 1998. At the end of the 2001 school year the pastor called me in to the office to let me know that since attendance had dwindled so much at the school that they would not be able to keep me on as a full time teacher the next year but he had been praying about it and believed that God was ready to bless my business in such a way that I could take it full time. I accepted that in faith and thanked him for the opportunity to work with the kids there for the last 3 years. The very first day that I was at my desk as a full time business owner I made a call to someone I had been working with on the school auction (which I was in charge of) to let her know that I would not be back at the school next year and was taking my promotional products business full time. She then said to me “does that mean if I needed 50 logo golf shirts for a golf tournament in 2 weeks that you could make that happen for me?”. I said “absolutely!” and that started a 15 year relationship with Pam Lazoff who just happened to be the head of marketing at WARN Industries, an international company with 1000s of employees. Needless to say they bought A LOT of promotional marketing items from me over that time. Enough so that I always knew I would make enough to cover my mortgage and then some. Thank you God! From there I was well on my way and have never looked back knowing God would provide and I would be able to take care of my family! Looking back now after almost 30 years I must say that even though there have been highs and lows along the way I have never doubted that this was the business I was called to do to be able to be the best husband, father and provider for my family. Being self-employed certainly has some negatives (no vacation pay, insurance, retirement, etc…) but the positives of being able to work for myself, make my own schedule, having the opportunity to spend quality time with my wife and children (and now grandchildren) and be active in the pickleball community have FAR outweighed the negatives. I have found that providing the service of fulfilling the branded logo merchandise needs of busy executive and business owners over the years has been very satisfying. I love seeing the look on the faces of my clients when I deliver an order and they open up the box to see their company logo on the shirts, hats, hoodies or jackets they ordered. Their faces look like a kid that just opened a present at Christmas! I absolutely love what I do!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been smooth. During the recession of 2008-2013 we struggled to make ends meet as many of the budgets of my clients dried up. It was also tough during the pandemic although the PPP money and the SBA low interest loans the US government provided helped us get through…
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Swag Doctors we do all kinds of branded logo products from coffee mugs, key tags and pens to screen printed and embroidered apparel and everything in between. Pretty much anything someone would want to put their logo on to promote a business or event we do. We specialize in customer service. My clients know that they can reach out to me with their request and that I will meet their deadline and give them quality products within in their budget. I offer my busy clients peace of mind while fulfilling their logo product needs. What sets Swag Doctors apart from my competitors is that I will not only meet or beat any competitors price but I also stand behind the products I deliver. If there is ever a problem with an order (which will happen from time to time) I will ALWAYS make it right!
How do you think about happiness?
God, family, friends, and pickleball. My wife makes me laugh and my kids and grandkids bring me joy. I love to play pickleball as often as possible because I love the people I get to play with, the laughter on the courts, the competition and the opportunity to get some exercise while having fun that pickleball provides. I am so grateful for everything that God has done to fill my life with love, peace and joy!
Pricing:
- All of our orders are priced based on the desired item, quantity of that item desired, logo setup charges and shipping costs involved in fulfilling that order
Contact Info:
- Website: https://swagdoctors.com
- Instagram: @swagdoctors
- Facebook: @swagdoctorsmarketing
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/vE_VYfDyxO
