Closing the Education Gap in the Decoration Industry

This week on the 2 Regular Guys Podcast, Terry, Aaron, and Erich return to continue the conversation on one of the most critical topics in our industry - education. As we dive deeper into where the gaps are forming, we’ll explore the risks of pulling back on training, the rise of self-service content, and the challenge of navigating misinformation. We’ll also break down what’s working, what decorators are actually responding to, and whether paid education is replacing the bundled training that used to be standard. Finally, we’ll share our predictions and hopes for the future of industry education, along with a call to action for both vendors and decorators to build something better. If you care about learning, growing, and helping our industry thrive, this episode is for you. Tired of bouncing between SanMar, S&S, and alphabroder just to compare prices? PromoHunt’s free browser extension does the work for you—automatically showing you price and inventory comparisons across your favorite suppliers while you shop. Join 7,000+ decorators already using PromoHunt daily.PromoHunt.com News If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to [e-mail]. Use the subject line “Weekly News.” https://youtu.be/0TyeDtuJZyc Dad Joke Terry: A Japanese gardener asked me what I knew about bonsai trees I said, “Very little.” Education Gaps Gaps and Growing Pains Examples of pullbacks in vendor training (e.g., Epson no longer requiring dealers to train buyers) The YouTube Dilemma: “Go find it online” isn’t a substitute for structured education The Misinformation Trap: How can decorators tell what’s good advice vs. outdated or flat-out wrong? Share a few real-world examples of common bad info out there The difference between information and transformation Audience Question: What kind of education has helped YOU most in your journey? What’s Working – and What’s Not What types of education decorators are responding to today (short-form? long-form? workshops? live events?) What’s falling flat (outdated manuals, generic videos, poorly produced content) Are decorators willing to pay for training when it’s no longer included with equipment? The rise of community-based learning (e.g., masterminds, peer groups, coaching programs) Mentorship and how that’s playing a growing role in skills transfer What’s Next for Education in Our Industry? Where do we see things going? More hybrid models? AI-driven personalization? (Custom GPTs) More vendor-owned education platforms? How can vendors build loyalty by reinvesting in training and support? Collaboration: What can shops, educators, and suppliers do to push the industry forward together? Call to Action: What do you want to see next in industry education? The Secret Sauce We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our 'Secret Sauce' for insights that can help you soar. https://youtu.be/PAJXRM_yA4U OTHER EVENTS Small Business Saturdays - Saturdays at Noon Central Time and then available to watch any time. Rising Tide Talks! - Wednesdays at 5 PM Central Time and then available to watch any time. Master of Success Inner Circle – Bi-weekly Mastermind Groups with accountability, support, and a built-in support group. Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago June 7-8. Complete Screen Printing Business Course with Workhorse Products in Phoenix, AZ, TBD