<p>Automation isn’t the future. It’s happening now. The 2 Regular Guys are joined by Brad Pengelly, Founder of Hoops, to talk about how automation is reshaping the print and promo industry. Brad shares real-world insights from running his own print business and building Hoops — modern order and sales management software made for decorators. Discover how automation can help you, eliminate wasted time and manual admin, build clarity and consistency into your workflow and unlock new capacity, growth, and profitability. We’ll cover why process is the true foundation of success, how to break the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset, and how automation empowers your team to focus on what really matters — creativity and customers. Tune in and learn how to prepare your print shop for long-term success in an automated future.</p> <p><!--more--></p> <div class="wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile" style="grid-template-columns:30% auto"> <figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><a href="http://osg.link/builder" target="_blank" rel=" noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="300" src="https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/business-builder-accelerator-new-beginning.jpg" alt="The Business Builder Accelerator helps you create a foundation that finally feels clear, aligned, and built for the way YOU work." class="wp-image-27618 size-full" srcset="https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/business-builder-accelerator-new-beginning.jpg 300w, https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/business-builder-accelerator-new-beginning-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></figure> <div class="wp-block-media-text__content"> <p><strong>Your business doesn’t need more tasks. </strong>It needs clarity, alignment, and a structure that supports you.</p> <p>The <a href="http://osg.link/builder" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Builder Accelerator</a> is a guided 12-week experience that helps you uncover what actually matters, make confident decisions, and build a foundation you can grow on. </p> <p>Explore the experience and sign up for a free clarity call &#8211;&#62; <strong><a href="http://osg.link/builder" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSG.link/Builder</a></strong> </p> </div> </div> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">News</h3> <p>If you have anything newsworthy you would like us to share, please email details to <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>. Use the subject line “Weekly News.”</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rise of Automation</h2> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="728" height="90" src="https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Regular-Guys-25-Vote-Reggie-Banner.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27605" srcset="https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Regular-Guys-25-Vote-Reggie-Banner.jpg 728w, https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2-Regular-Guys-25-Vote-Reggie-Banner-300x37.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" /></figure> <p><strong>Terry:</strong> Brad, let’s start with your story — what was the turning point that led you from running a print shop to founding Hoops?</p> <p><strong>Aaron:</strong> What does automation mean in practical terms for a small or mid-sized print shop?</p> <p><strong>Terry:</strong> Many shops feel automation sounds too complex or expensive. What’s the mindset shift they need to see it as accessible and empowering instead of intimidating?</p> <p><strong>Aaron:</strong> Before adding software or automation, you talk about “process clarity.” What’s the best way for a business owner to uncover what’s actually happening in their workflow?</p> <p><strong>Terry:</strong> Can you give an example of a shop that transformed their operations by getting their processes right before automating?</p> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="http://osg.link/svp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="728" height="90" src="https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/SVP-Animated-Banner.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-27577"/></a></figure> </div> <p><strong>Aaron:</strong> What kind of measurable results do you see — in time saved, errors reduced, or growth unlocked — when businesses implement automation effectively?</p> <p><strong>Terry:</strong> How do you balance automation with the human side of the business — creativity, relationships, and personal service?</p> <p><strong>Aaron:</strong> We’ve always done it this way &#8211; What’s your advice for leaders trying to break through that resistance to change?</p> <p><strong>Terry:</strong> What are some early warning signs that a print shop is falling behind because it’s not embracing automation yet?</p> <p><strong>Aaron:</strong> What do you see as the next big evolution in automation for the print and promo world?</p> <p><strong>Terry:</strong> How does Hoops help decorators simplify their operations today and prepare for what’s next in this rapidly changing industry?&#160;</p> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw-2bzBcYW4hvUAnUl5yaeavNgXO5EIDm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Secret Sauce</a></h3> <p>We serve up bite-sized tips for our #regulators to instantly spice up their decorated apparel business. Just like the perfect wing sauce, these quick tips can transform your business experience, adding flavor and depth to your operations. Each video in this playlist is a nugget of wisdom, carefully selected for its potential to bring immediate value to your work. So, whether you&#8217;re a seasoned pro or just getting started in the decorated apparel industry, dip into our &#8216;Secret Sauce&#8217; for insights that can help you soar. </p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"> <div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/PJhDaFKDGTE </div> </figure> <div class="wp-block-image"> <figure class="aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://decorators.ink/dtgdtf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="728" height="90" src="https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DTG_DTF-iLEARNING.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-26515" srcset="https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DTG_DTF-iLEARNING.jpg 728w, https://www.2regularguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/DTG_DTF-iLEARNING-300x37.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" /></a></figure> </div> <div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex"> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">OTHER EVENTS</h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong><a href="https://oursuccessgroup.com/sbspodcast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Small Business Saturdays</a></strong> &#8211; Saturdays at Noon Central Time and then available to watch any time.</li> <li><strong><a title="" href="http://www.liveosg.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rising Tide Talks!</a></strong> &#8211; Wednesdays at 5 PM Central Time and then available to watch any time.</li> <li><a href="https://oursuccessgroup.com/mos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Master of Success Inner Circle</a>&#160;– Bi-weekly Mastermind Groups with accountability, support, and a built-in support group.</li> <li><a href="https://terrycombs.com/chicago-class/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Complete Screen Printing Business Course</a>&#160;with Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago, March 21-22, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://terrycombs.com/complete-screen-printing-business-course-in-phoenix/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Complete Screen Printing Business Course</a>&#160;with Workhorse Products in Phoenix, AZ, TBD</li> <li><a href="http://www.erichcampbell.com/the-takeup-live-machine-embroidery-talk-with-erich-campbell/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Take-up with Erich Campbell</a>&#160;– Fridays at 2:30 Mountain Time</li> <li><a href="https://www.decorators.education/dnld/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Demystifying Next Level Digitizing</a>&#160;Online Training from Erich Campbell</li> <li><a href="https://decorators.education/emblems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Understanding Emblems</a>: Learn from Erich Campbell about digitizing for patches.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow"> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Trade Shows</h3> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://xpressreg.net/register/asio0126/landing.asp?iq=&#38;vip=&#38;sc=WEB">ASI Show Orlando, FL</a> &#8211; January 5-7, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://impressionsexpo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Impressions Long Beach, CA</a> &#8211; January 22-24, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://daxshow.com/kansas-city-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DAX Kansas City, MO</a> &#8211; February 20-21, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://www.asishow.com/">ASI Show Forth Worth, TX</a> &#8211; March 9-11, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://www.graphics-pro-expo.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graphics Pro Expo, Irving, TX</a> &#8211; March 12-14, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://impressionsexpo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Impressions Atlantic City, NJ</a> &#8211; March 26-28, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://daxshow.com/dayton-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DAX Dayton, OH</a> &#8211; April 24-25, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://daxshow.com/chicago-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DAX Chicago, IL</a> &#8211; May 15-16, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://daxshow.com/tampa-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DAX Tampa, FL</a> &#8211; May 29-30, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://daxshow.com/nashville-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DAX Nashville, TN</a> &#8211; June 19-20, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://www.asishow.com/">ASI Show Chicago, IL</a> &#8211; July 21-23, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://daxshow.com/twin-cities-2026/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DAX Twin Cities, MN</a> &#8211; August 7-8, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://www.graphics-pro-expo.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graphics Pro Expo, Long Beach, CA</a> &#8211; August 13-15, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://www.graphics-pro-expo.com/events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graphics Pro Expo, Cleveland, OH</a> &#8211; September 10-11, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://www.printingunited.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Printing United Expo, Las Vegas, NV</a> &#8211; September 23-25, 2026</li> <li><a href="https://texas.impressionsexpo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Impressions Dallas, TX</a> &#8211; October 22-24, 2026<br /><em><strong>All dates and events are subject to change</strong></em></li> </ul> </div> </div>