In this episode of The Packaging Paradigm podcast, Dom Crosson welcomes Brian Franz, who is the Vice President with Envision3! Brian is a seasoned sales professional with over 12 years of experience in the commercial print, packaging, fulfillment and direct mail industry. He consults with brands ranging from national healthcare providers to regional nonprofits. In his role as Vice President, Brian plays a pivotal role in helping customers bring their marketing ideas to life. From custom printed ...
Aug 11, 2025•44 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of The Packaging Paradigm Podcast we welcome Emmy Gottschalk. She is a transformational operations leader who shares her insights on leadership, launching new departments, and the importance of communication in navigating change. She discusses the role of KPIs in organizational success and introduces the innovative Project Showcase initiative designed to foster creativity within teams. Additionally, Emmy addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in operations, em...
Jul 10, 2025•48 min•Ep. 26
In this conversation, Jeremy shares his journey founding Givr Packaging, emphasizing the importance of personal goals, mentorship, and sustainability in the packaging industry. He discusses how he stays competitive outside of work, the challenges and triumphs of his career, the significance of customer-centric practices, and the evolving landscape of sustainable packaging solutions. In this conversation, Jeremy discusses the importance of ethical sales practices, the memorable moments that keep ...
Jun 19, 2025•43 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm Podcast, host Dominic interviews Micah Brooks, a seasoned packaging sales professional. They discuss Micah's journey from selling payroll software to thriving in the packaging industry, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, effective communication, and the need for patience in sales. Micah shares insights on leveraging company resources, navigating industry trends like automation and sustainability, and managing personal and professional ...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm Podcast, host Dom interviews Craig Phillips, an experienced account manager in the packaging industry. They discuss Craig's journey from studying packaging at Michigan State to his diverse career experiences, including teaching abroad in Korea. The conversation highlights the various opportunities within the packaging sector, the importance of leveraging technology in sales, and the value of networking. Craig shares insights on using video messaging and ...
May 15, 2025•52 min•Ep. 23
Summary In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm Podcast, host Dominic Crosson and guest E.J. Swanson discuss the importance of branding, content creation, and clarity in the packaging industry. E.J. shares his journey from ministry to co-founding Bolt, emphasizing the significance of teamwork and leadership. The conversation highlights the need for effective messaging, the power of visuals, and the role of consistency in building credibility. They also touch on the importance of transparency i...
May 02, 2025•52 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm Podcast, Mark Jacobs shares his extensive journey in the paper industry, highlighting his transition from operations to sales, the value of working in family-owned businesses, and the importance of community involvement. He emphasizes the significance of listening, serving, and building relationships in both personal and professional realms. Mark also discusses his entrepreneurial spirit, including his passion for candle making, and shares travel experie...
Apr 17, 2025•26 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm Podcast, Dominic Crosson and Ian Shiemke discuss the challenges of finding the right talent in the packaging industry, often referred to as 'unicorns.' They explore the importance of understanding organizational needs, defining qualifications, and the significance of internal alignment in the hiring process. The conversation emphasizes the need for flexibility in qualifications and offerings, as well as the value of industry expertise in recruitment. The...
Apr 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 20
In this episode, Derek S. Volk, a third-generation leader at Volk Packaging, shares his journey in the packaging industry, leadership lessons learned from coaching softball, and the importance of taking risks in business. He discusses the difference between fairness and equality in leadership, the significance of small gestures in business, and the value of honesty in communication. Derek also highlights his commitment to giving back to veterans and shares insights from his personal journey as a...
Mar 20, 2025•49 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm podcast, Trent Halasek, a young leader in the packaging industry, shares his journey from accounting to sales management. He discusses the importance of understanding both the financial and operational aspects of the business, the significance of networking through organizations like AICC, and strategies for building a successful sales team. Trent emphasizes the need for continuous personal development, adapting leadership styles to different generations...
Mar 06, 2025•39 min•Ep. 18
Summary In this conversation, Chris Hardwick shares his journey from a long-term career in one company to transitioning into a new role in sales. He discusses the importance of personal branding, the interview process, and how to set oneself apart in a competitive job market. Chris emphasizes the value of follow-up, creating memorable experiences, and being present in interactions with clients. He also highlights the significance of social media, particularly LinkedIn, in building a personal bra...
Feb 13, 2025•48 min•Ep. 17
In this conversation, Jake Hall, known as the Manufacturing Millennial, discusses the importance of automation and workforce attraction in the manufacturing industry. He emphasizes the need for companies to engage with their local communities and showcase their workforce through social media. Jake also highlights the trends in automation, the push for sustainability in packaging, and the significance of STEM education in preparing the future workforce. Takeaways Automation is essential for attra...
Jan 30, 2025•28 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of The Packaging Paradigm Podcast, host Dominic Crosson welcomes Jonathan "JD" Darling who is a seasoned sales coach and leader. They discuss his journey in the packaging industry, the importance of automation, and the changing perceptions of manufacturing careers. JD shares insights on sales as a service, the qualities of successful salespeople, and the ripple effect of leadership. He also opens up about overcoming challenges and finding his voice in the industry, encouraging li...
Jan 16, 2025•42 min•Ep. 15
In this conversation, Kevin B Ploth joins Dominic and shares his extensive journey in the food industry, from his early experiences in the kitchen to his current ventures in hot sauce production and distribution. He discusses the importance of packaging, the challenges of the food industry, and the lessons learned from his culinary background. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of various roles in the food supply chain and emphasizes the significance of understanding business fun...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 14
In this conversation, David Dent from Sparck Technologies joins Dominic Crosson from Spark Packaging and discusses his journey in the packaging industry, emphasizing the importance of automation and sustainability. He shares insights on how packaging automation is shaping the future, the significance of sustainability in the industry, and the value of building professional networks. David highlights the challenges and opportunities within the packaging sector, particularly in relation to evolvin...
Dec 03, 2024•37 min•Ep. 13
In this conversation, Mark T. Batiste shares his journey in the packaging industry, discussing his transition from pharmaceuticals to packaging sales. He emphasizes the importance of sales strategies, networking, and the evolving opportunities within the packaging sector, particularly in promotional products. Mark also highlights the significance of mentorship and giving back to the community, especially to students entering the workforce. In this conversation, Mark T. Batiste discusses the prid...
Nov 26, 2024•48 min•Ep. 12
Nov 05, 2024•52 min•Ep. 11
Summary In this episode, Dominic and Aaron discuss their journey in the recruiting and packaging industry, as well as the formation of Spark Packaging. They talk about the importance of having a clear vision and finding mentors who have achieved what you want to achieve. They also discuss the growth and evolution of Spark Packaging, including the decision to create a portfolio of companies and the benefits of specializing in specific niches. In this conversation, Dominic and Aaron discuss the im...
Sep 12, 2024•51 min•Ep. 10
Chris Harris, CEO of WPR Services, discusses the importance of data gathering and analytics in manufacturing. He emphasizes the need for personalized experiences and fun metrics to engage employees and drive positive change. Harris also highlights the challenges of building relationships and trust with potential customers and the importance of open architecture in software platforms. He encourages companies to start small and gradually expand their data gathering efforts. Ultimately, Harris aims...
Sep 05, 2024•27 min•Ep. 9
George Perreira, Vice President of Business Development at a core data design studio and print house, shares his journey and insights on adversity, innovation, and taking risks in sales. He emphasizes the importance of not being afraid to fail and taking calculated risks to achieve success. Perreira also discusses the challenges his company faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they overcame them. He highlights the significance of building relationships, being persistent, and working hard i...
Aug 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 8
Summary Julie Suggs, the Academic Director of the Packaging School, discusses the importance of continued education and lifelong learning in the packaging industry. She shares her own journey from studying chemistry to discovering her passion for packaging, and highlights the benefits of online learning and networking in the industry. Julie emphasizes the correlation between continued education and job satisfaction, as well as the role of employers in supporting their employees' learning journey...
Aug 06, 2024•25 min•Ep. 6
In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm podcast, host Dominic Crosson interviews Taylor Bruff, an account manager at Spark Packaging. They discuss Taylor's career journey, tips for job seekers, and strategies for companies looking to hire. They emphasize the importance of preparation, networking, and clear communication in the hiring process. They also highlight the significance of having a defined career path and providing opportunities for growth within an organization. The episode concludes...
Jul 25, 2024•31 min•Ep. 5
Jun 20, 2024•54 min•Ep. 4
Summary In this conversation, Dominic interviews Spark Packagings Ian Shiemke , an account manager at Spark Packaging, he shares his journey and insights into the packaging industry. He discusses career advancement, the impact of retail and food service experience, the importance of personal branding, and the opportunities for growth within the industry. Ian emphasizes the value of passion, dedication, and networking in shaping a successful career in packaging. Takeaways The packaging industry o...
Jun 03, 2024•34 min•Ep. 3
In this episode, Dominic Crosson interviews Ryan Fox, Ryan shares insights on self-mastery, career advancement, and the impact of data points on decision-making. He discusses the significance of understanding personal strengths and leveraging them to make career choices. Additionally, he delves into the evolving landscape of the packaging industry, focusing on recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility laws, and the future of packaging materials. Ryan emphasizes the need for effective communica...
Jun 03, 2024•39 min•Ep. 2
In this episode of the Packaging Paradigm podcast, E.J. Swanson interviews Dom Crosson, the president of Spark Packaging, to discuss his journey in the packaging industry and the purpose of the podcast. Dom shares his career transition, the unique niche of Spark Packaging, and the importance of industry expertise. The conversation also highlights the diverse positions filled by Spark Packaging and the significance of the packaging industry as a career path. Takeaways The packaging industry offer...
Jun 03, 2024•27 min•Ep. 1
