Convergence Corner: How My Tribe Print & Promo Tells a Story With Its Work
The Native American woman-owned business combines print and promotional products together for campaigns that go much deeper than the ink on the surface.
My Tribe Print & Promo (asi/556106) takes the idea of “company culture” to new levels. The Native American woman-owned distributor does a lot of business with Native American tribes and different business entities like schools, judiciaries and others within those communities.
“Our tribes have their own governments,” says Tricia Williams, CEO of My Tribe Print & Promo. “Anything that you would have on a local, state or federal level, we have within a tribe. We have domestic violence programs, we’ve got police departments, we’ve got fire departments, health departments, we’ve got our own judicial systems. All of these departments, and especially like the [domestic violence] initiatives, that’s really where my heart lies.”
Williams says that the company that she runs with her husband, Scott, is primarily a promo distributor, but print plays a significant role in their business. Scott recognizes that if they weren’t involved in print, their customers would simply go to another distributor who was, and that distributor may well do promo, too.
“It’s money left on the table that could really lose you clients altogether,” he says.
One special project that the Williamses recently worked on that blended print and promotional products together was a self-promo that touched on their heritage and culture, a piece touching on the idea of the “MMIP” – Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons – awareness initiative.
The campaign used a lapel pin for mobile visibility as well as a printed card with information for the recipient to learn more about it.
“This is what we stand for, and what we want to bring awareness to,” Tricia Williams says.
Key Takeaways
• Organic Growth From Promo to Print: My Tribe Print & Promo (asi/556106) began primarily as a promotional products distributor but expanded into print services due to client demand. This transition was self-taught and supported by strong supplier partnerships, highlighting the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
• Mission-Driven Marketing: The company integrates cultural advocacy into its work, notably through campaigns like the MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous People) awareness initiative. These campaigns blend print and promo elements to deliver powerful values-driven messages that resonate with clients and communities.
• Supplier Relationships as a Cornerstone: My Tribe’s Trisha and Scott Williams emphasize the critical role of supplier partnerships in their success. They rely on trusted vendors for expertise, fast turnaround and quality. In return, they promote and support these suppliers actively within the industry.
• Serving, Not Selling: The company views its role as one of serving clients rather than selling to them. This service-oriented mindset is especially evident in their work with tribal governments and domestic violence programs, where product choices (like branded night-lights) are made with empathy and purpose.
• Advice for New Distributors: Trisha advises newcomers to build slowly, invest in supplier relationships, understand production processes and be selective with clients. She stresses the importance of saying “no” when necessary to protect energy and brand integrity, and to focus on solving real problems with thoughtful service.