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Shari Verrone had an instant hit when she created an elaborate centerpiece for a friend’s baby shower in the vein of a three-tiered wedding cake. Soon enough, Stackable Sensations (asi/332999) was launched with creative bundles for all of life’s biggest moments, but Verrone’s business took a left turn into promotional products when a client asked to put a logo on 500 "Get Well" trays.

“I thought to myself, ‘Hmm, I can do one cake, or I can do 500 pieces,’” recalls Verrone, a New Jersey native.

Thirteen years later, Verrone ensures the company continues to draw from the same creative vein. A few engaging company promotions include Willy Wonka-esque chocolate bars with golden tickets and bathroom stall self-promos for a captive audience advising “Don’t Flush Your Marketing Dollars Down The Tubes.”

“You have to really wow people with creativity to keep their attention, and I’ve never forgotten that,” says Verrone, who credits an early mentor, Michelle Tomczyk, for instilling that lesson. At home, the proud soccer mom and wife juggles it all and loves to travel with her husband, teenage girls and parents.

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