The Currency of Generosity: What My Dad Taught Me About Business, Value, and Better Promo Choices

Last Updated: 02/25/2026

Every so often, a parent drops a piece of wisdom so unexpectedly profound that it feels like it came from a mentor rather than your own family. I was sharing some frustrations about growing my business when my dad suddenly shifted into full Jedi Master mode. It felt less like talking to my father and more like Luke Skywalker getting a lesson from Yoda.

He said:

“Take a pipe, son. Fill it with water. Water should pass through it, not stay in it. If it sits still, it becomes stagnant and it stinks. The pipe is the conduit,  it gets wet, but it doesn’t keep all the water. The water must move like a current. That’s why it’s called currency.”

Now read it again… but replace water with money.

That one stuck with me. And it reshaped the way I think about generosity, business, and the role promotional products play in building relationships.

Is It Too Cheap? The Hidden Cost of Low Value Swag

At Pierson Promotional, we help businesses choose branded merchandise that people actually want, not the kind that ends up in the trash before the day is over. The truth is simple: people can feel the difference between something chosen with intention and something chosen because it was the cheapest option available. (Let's be honest)

Think about it. A 33¢ pen doesn’t excite anyone. Not when a 79¢ soda or a $1.59 candy bar feels like a better treat. But context matters. A cheap pen at a front desk makes perfect sense, it’s functional, expected, and disposable. A cheap pen as a gift, however, sends the wrong message.

Promotional products are tiny ambassadors of your brand. They create first impressions you can’t take back. When you choose items that feel flimsy, irrelevant, or like filler, people subconsciously attach that same feeling to your business. It’s always better to give two great items than five forgettable ones. And when you can afford to give something truly premium, go for it. People remember quality.

Why We Give: The Pierson Promo Philosophy

At Pierson Promotional, our approach to branded merchandise is rooted in three core intentions: showing appreciation, staying top‑of‑mind, and thanking new customers or referral partners. Everything we choose to hand out supports one of those goals.

Over time, we’ve learned that keeping a thoughtful mix of items on hand makes generosity easier and more natural. Premium pens, Swiss Army knives, coasters, first‑aid kits, sewing kits, and notebooks are staples for us because they’re practical, well made, and appreciated by almost everyone. When the seasons shift, so do our gifts. Winter often brings corkscrews, bottle openers, custom cookie mailers, or calendars. These items that feel warm, useful, and timely.

For everyday reminders, we prefer compact pieces that are easy to mail or carry while networking. Jar openers, mints, and other small tools fit perfectly into this category. They’re simple, but they travel well and leave a lasting impression. The guiding principle behind all of this is straightforward: give more than you take, and choose items that reflect the quality and care you want associated with your brand.

Giving Precedes Receiving  ⇒ Always

I’ve always believed in the law of sowing and reaping. A closed hand can’t receive. A closed mouth doesn’t get fed. And while many businesses give to nonprofits or community causes (which is wonderful), they often overlook the people who support them every single day.

Your customers. Your employees. Your referral partners. Your networking connections. The people who consistently send business your way.

These people are your ecosystem, your community. When you allow generosity to flow through you, not just to charities but to the individuals who help your business thrive, everything changes. Your relationships deepen. Your reputation strengthens. Your business grows. And none of it is manipulative. It’s simply the natural return on genuine generosity.

Be the Conduit

Let the currency flow. Let generosity move through you. Let your business be the pipe, not the reservoir. When you do, you’ll notice something powerful: people want to work with you, refer you, and support you. Generosity is magnetic.

Be well. That’s it for now.

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