Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Ink’d Stores has carved out a niche as an agile, customer-focused provider of corporate swag, promotional products, and apparel. But the road to success wasn’t a straight path, especially for Jay Sapovits, the visionary president of Ink’d, whose entrepreneurial spirit and ability to pivot have defined his career.
Sapovits’ background is anything but conventional. From radio host to private jet sales executive to real estate entrepreneur in St. Barths, he has always thrived in dynamic environments. His latest success, Ink’d Stores, came out of a failed fitness brand, proving that failure is just another step toward innovation.
A Business Pivot That Paid Off
In 2012, Sapovits was at the helm of a fitness business that focused on sports-branded workout gear—a concept that seemed like a guaranteed success. With major deals secured with Fanatics, Amazon, and Kohl’s, the company had momentum. But retail sell-through rates lagged, leaving products sitting on shelves for far too long.
A pivotal moment came in Las Vegas at the PPAI trade show, where a chance encounter with Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing technology sparked a new vision. Instead of fitness gear, why not focus on what people actually buy in volume—customized apparel and promotional products? From that insight, Ink’d Stores was born.
The Northeast’s One-Stop Custom Merchandise Solution
Since its inception, Ink’d Stores has grown into a multimillion-dollar operation that serves companies of all sizes, including those in the rising cannabis industry. With a Boston-based headquarters and production facility, the company specializes in:
- Branded merchandise and promotional swag
- Custom web stores for companies
- On-demand printing for events and businesses
- Corporate welcome kits and gift boxes
Ink’d Stores offers an all-in-one, risk-free model, meaning businesses can set up custom merch shops with no upfront costs or monthly fees—a game-changer for cannabis startups and multi-state operators (MSOs) that want low-barrier access to quality branding materials.
Supporting the Cannabis Industry in the Northeast
With cannabis legalization sweeping the Northeast, companies in the industry are prioritizing branding and marketing to differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market. Ink’d Stores is now a valuable partner to many brands, providing custom-branded merchandise that helps dispensaries, cultivators, and ancillary businesses establish their corporate identity.
From dispensary staff uniforms to limited-edition swag drops, Ink’d has worked with cannabis businesses to create high-quality, customized merchandise that builds brand loyalty. According to Sapovitz, the company’s fast turnaround times and creative in-house design team make it an attractive choice for cannabis brands that need both quality and efficiency.
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Innovation, Adaptation, and the Future of Ink’d Stores
Sapovits’ forward-thinking approach doesn’t stop at custom merchandise. In 2021, Ink’d became one of the first custom swag companies to accept cryptocurrency payments, a reflection of Sapovits’ belief in blockchain technology’s future role in commerce.
As Ink’d Stores celebrates its ninth anniversary, it’s clear that its success is rooted in innovation, adaptability, and satisfaction. Whether serving Northeast cannabis brands or major corporate clients, Ink’d has positioned itself as a leader in the branded merchandise space—proof that the right pivot can turn failure into a multimillion-dollar success story.
