Five Lessons From Counselor’s 2026 Person of the Year

ASI Show Chicago wrapped earlier this month, and one of the highlights of this mid-year show is the Counselor Awards, where we honor the industry’s trailblazers and culture-leaders, from enduring family businesses to beacons of sustainability.

Randy Carr, CEO of World Emblem, is the Counselor 2026 Person of the Year.

This year’s Counselor Person of the Year, Randy Carr, CEO of World Emblem, helped transform his company into a global operation by making bold decisions, embracing new technology and learning from his mistakes. He shared some of his wisdom in a recent episode of Counselor’s Promo Insiders podcast.

Here are five takeaways print service providers (PSPs) can apply to their own businesses.

1. Use fear as a signal, not a roadblock.

Carr’s leadership style was shaped by watching his father’s emblem company fail. His family restarted the business with just one used embroidery machine and one customer.

“When you’re growing up and you live a certain way, and you kind of lose everything, that fear stays with you,” Carr says. “It really honestly hasn’t left.”

Rather than allowing fear to paralyze him, however, Carr evaluates decisions through both a fear-based and opportunity-based lens.

2. Act quickly when circumstances change.

After tariffs threatened World Emblem’s Mexico-based production last year, Carr says he moved rapidly to diversify his company’s manufacturing footprint. Within weeks, leaders were visiting potential locations, and World Emblem ultimately opened a 100,000-square-foot operation in the Dominican Republic.

The lesson? When facing potentially catastrophic business disruption, it’s crucial to stay nimble, but strategic, taking actions that will strengthen your company for years to come.

3. Build systems that don’t require superheroes.

World Emblem has successfully navigated recessions, COVID and supply chain disruption, but just as important, Carr says, is how a company handles day-to-day operations.

“We don’t need superheroes,” he said. “Things need to be consistently repetitive.”

PSPs should document processes, automate routine tasks and create repeatable workflows that produce reliable results regardless of who’s handling them.

4. Lean into AI before competitors do.

World Emblem is working with three firms to incorporate AI into workflows, art production and executive decision-making, Carr says. AI won’t replace workers, he adds, but “If you don’t use these tools, you can guarantee you’ll be replaced.”

Companies should begin testing AI in practical areas such as artwork, production planning, marketing and administrative follow-up.

5. Seek advice outside the family business.

Carr credits his involvement in the Young Presidents’ Organization with transforming him personally and professionally. Peer groups allow leaders to share challenges confidentially and learn from people with different experiences.

That outside perspective can be especially valuable for second- and third-generation leaders preparing to inherit increasingly complex businesses.

The preceding content was provided by a contributor unaffiliated with Printing Impressions. The views expressed within may not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Printing Impressions. Artificial Intelligence may have been used in part to create or edit this content.