Under 40: Harry Ein, Perfection Promo

Harry Ein, 38

Owner
Perfection Promo, San Francisco

For Harry Ein, it’s all about the hustle. He runs his business, Perfection Promo, out of his garage, selling to a variety of clients, ranging from San Francisco-area technology companies to buyers in the sports industry. Over the last three years, Ein has sold $12 million in promotional products.

Why he loves the industry: I love the hustle and the unlimited amount of opportunities. Everyone wears clothing, so my job is to show a client something he or she loves that isn’t a throwaway T-shirt, but a super-soft shirt that becomes their favorite tee. We have amazing tech items to offer now in our industry and can make some really cool custom pieces for our clients, as well.

Age roadblocks and advantages: I used to be considered young for our industry and, at the same level, as many of my buyers—especially on the West Coast and in the Bay Area. But, now, I do feel my clients are younger [than me], so I need to be able to relate to them. I find common interests and make sure I understand them as individuals for their branding needs along with the company. Also, I am not a large company, but rather, a boutique firm (I like to say out of a garage) that offers great pricing, creative products and unmatched service. Sometimes, on larger accounts, I don’t have the bandwidth to do company stores and demonstrate our capabilities and strengths from an RFP perspective.

His biggest career influence: I think it has changed a lot. There is a network of close to a dozen people I rely on to kick ideas around with—from suppliers to other distributors in the industry. I love going to the PPAI show and talking with other distributors and sharing stories of our experiences.

His differentiating factor: I hustle and build relationships with my customers. We may not always be the cheapest for a pen or basic item, but our pricing is super aggressive, and we offer the best possible service. My clients know I will answer a call on weekends, or 5 a.m. or 7 p.m. They don’t mind hearing my son in the background, and know I will do everything I can to make my customers shine at their jobs. We also show creative products and partner with the best suppliers in the business.

What he does for fun: I hang out with my 4-year-old son and go to the park every day with him. That is the best part of working from home—zero commute and that time is used with my family and especially with engaging with my son.