Episode 1 - Understanding the Promotional and Brand Merchandise Industry with Jake Baldridge

Traversing Entrepreneurship

Jake Baldridge is the Founder and CEO of The Baldridge Group, a boutique, full-service sales agency that helps innovative brands gain the market share they deserve. Jake served as the Chief Strategy Officer of SunFrog Wholesale for over a decade prior to founding The Baldridge Group. Before his entry into the promotional merchandise industry, Jake worked in institutional finance and hedge funds. He served as a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch, the Managing Director of Clear Alpha, and a Senior Analyst for Cole Partners Asset Management.

Jake joins me today to discuss how his experience in hedge funds and institutional finance helps him as the CEO of a promotional merchandiser provider. He explains why the merchandise industry is still “old school” and what The Baldridge Group does to disrupt a traditionalist industry. He discusses how the pandemic has impacted their business and how they navigated the effects of COVID-19 on supply chains. Jake also shares his advice for entrepreneurs who want to start their own promotional merchandise business and underscores what motivates him to work on the growth of The Baldridge Group.

“Using the on-demand model makes you more efficient and helps buyers save dollars while giving them the full customer experience.” - Jake Baldridge

This week on Traversing Entrepreneurship:

• Jake’s background and how he started in the world of custom apparel
• How his experience in institutional finance and hedge funds helped him in the merchandise industry
• Why the merchandise industry is still “old school”
• How The Baldridge Group is innovating promotional merchandise
• What separates The Baldridge Group from other business merchandise providers
• The challenges in overhauling a business’s brand and merchandise
• The major challenges COVID-19 has presented to The Baldridge Group and how they navigated them
• What motivates Jake to work on the growth of The Baldridge Group
• Jake’s advice to entrepreneurs who want to start a promotional merchandise business
• How The Baldridge Group helps companies elevate their brand
• What is next for Jake and The Baldridge Group

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “At the end of the day, you need to know what you want and how you want it delivered.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “If you’re willing to take the risk, you’re also willing to enjoy some of the finer things life has to offer.” - Derek Dall’Olmo
• “Understand the market, what you’re doing, and all the moving parts.” - Jake Baldridge

Connect with Jake Baldridge:

• The Baldridge Group
• Jake Baldridge on LinkedIn
• Email: [e-mail]