I met this guy the other day and fell in love…
…because he used a retro font on his website for the name of his company, The Pallet Plug.
That’s right, a typeface popular from the 60’s drew me in immediately and I knew I needed to learn more. Who is this guy who used Bayland for his logo? So I did what any person who is basically a sales rep at heart would do and filled out the “Get in Touch” form. Then, I dragged out my old Peter Max artwork to reminisce and waited for a response.
Here’s what I found out about The Pallet Plug. They are one-of-a-kind business. Kyle has created an online directory of sorts that gives pallet and crating manufacturers a very simple place to let the world know that they exist. Sure, there are other organizations that can offer the same sort of thing but if you are a pallet manufacturer, you would have to sort through a lot of other ‘stuff’. Plus, those other services can be very expensive. Ever been in a pallet shop? Let’s just say that you will not be seeing them anytime soon in Home and Garden Magazine. No tile floors at these places. The Pallet Plug offers a website that is succinct and elegant in its simplicity. So is the message: become an affiliate and interact with other pallet and crating businesses. No payment tiers. You just need a Jackson to get monthly access. Not too bad.
They also offer a different kind of exposure in the form of a podcast. Kyle and his co-host will interview an owner of a pallet shop, or other type of related business, and that interview will get posted as part of their blog. While there is certainly humor and the viewer will be engaged, it is about 40 minutes with a serious exchange of questions and answers. Just like Peter Max, there is both the fun side and the serious side to the Pallet Plug podcasts.
Now about this guy…
Kyle Pecoraro is a young fellow (okay, yeah, I could be his mom) with an infectious smile and a vision. He put this idea together because after running his own pallet business, he felt there was a need to provide a place for pallet shops to market their product without spending a gazillion dollars (which is a little less than a kabillion). Thus, The Pallet Plug was born – a single place where pallet businesses could both connect and get exposure.
How is Hartman working with The Pallet Plug?
We are a distributor. We do sell all the tools, nails, and staples needed to put together the lumber that makes a pallet. But, the truth is, Hartman understands what it takes to start with an idea, labor with it, and watch it grow. In 1948, Bob Hartman had that idea and now, 75 years later, his grandson, Andrew, continues to labor with that idea. What was needed in 1948 to start a business – the vision – still counts, but carrying out that vision looks very different in 2023.
We are all very much still in the middle of navigating the disruption caused by the pandemic. It is time to create new avenues of growth. We have also learned that a lot of the conventions that worked three years ago, well, they simply no longer apply. Both Kyle and Andrew know this and have formed a partnership that will use the best of 2023 and 1948.
In the meantime…
