Purposeful Promotions: Karie Cowden’s Path to Impactful Entrepreneurship

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker interviews Karie Cowden, founder of Connect the Dots Promotions, a company specializing in promotional products and social responsibility. Karie shares how she built her business, from an unexpected start to nearly 30 years in the industry, including collaborations with brands like Walmart and Boeing. She emphasizes the importance of sustainability, mindful product selection, and her work with the nonprofit PromoCares, which promotes socially responsible promotional products. Karie discusses key community initiatives like her work with UMOM, including setting a Guinness World Record for most people running in flip-flops, and highlights how corporations increasingly focus on social impact. She also offers insights into maintaining business values while navigating challenges and evolving her company structure. Finally, Karie shares her personal growth and plans, including her recent pivot toward consulting with Campus Stop.