Michele (Holzer) Cochran, MAS, MASi
Michele (Holzer) Cochran, MAS, MASi, is the founder and owner of Six Twenty Six LLC, a woman-owned small business based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Michele has been in the promotional products industry since 1998, bringing 28 years of experience and a passion for elevating brand visibility through thoughtfully curated merchandise. After graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts, she began her career in retail cosmetics, followed by positions at a computer products reseller and a natural products broker before discovering her true calling in promotional products distribution. In 2005, Michele founded Six Twenty Six LLC, leveraging her expertise in project management, product curation, and sales presentations to deliver high-impact branding solutions from concept through final delivery.
Under Michele’s leadership, Six Twenty Six has earned recognition as an Elite100 Affiliate with iPROMOTEu, and Michele herself was honored with the inaugural iPROMOTEu Affiliate Appreciation Award in 2021. Her work emphasizes collaboration and a client-first mindset, combining professional experience with consumer insight to provide measurable returns, creative solutions, and strategic marketing support. Michele’s innovative approach has produced high-profile projects, including early business-to-consumer promotions for automotive clients that generated significant sales growth, and sustainability initiatives such as client-recognition reforestation programs that merge marketing with social responsibility. Becoming woman-owned certified in 2022 further empowered her to expand her network, grow professionally, and refine Six Twenty Six’s boutique-style yet globally capable service model.
Michele’s leadership extends beyond her company into industry and community involvement. She has completed the Building a Successful Diverse Business program through Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth and holds certifications from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Arizona Department of Transportation. Michele is active in organizations such as Women In Sports & Events and the Advertising Specialty Institute, mentoring others while championing women entrepreneurs. She takes pride in modeling the entrepreneurial mindset for her son, who has expressed interest in joining the business, and in maintaining a career defined by persistence, creativity, and a commitment to making every client feel like a “superstar.”
• Building a Successful Diverse Business, April 2024
• Economic Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business
• ADOT Gold DBE/WBE Business Development Graduate
• Platinum Supplier Program
• Woman-Owned Small Business
• Cornell University - BS, Communication Arts
• All Star Affiliate
• Small Business Development Program Graduate
• All Star Distributor Affiliate
• 2021 iPROMOTEu Affiliate Appreciate Award
• Elite100 Distributor Affiliate 2018/2019/2020
• WBENC (Women Business Enterprise National Council)
• Webeck West
• WBNC
• WISE (Women in Sports and Entertainment)
• ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute)
• PPAI (Promotional Products Association International)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to tenacity, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to my clients. By consistently being present and engaged, I ensure they feel supported at every step, and I take pride in becoming an integral part of their value chain. This dedication to building trust, fostering strong relationships, and delivering meaningful results has been central to the growth and longevity of my business.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The rise of online, low-cost sellers who bypass procurement safeguards and may not meet safety, sourcing or labor standards; the industry must protect clients from those risks. AI is delivering efficiencies (especially at factory/quoting levels), but small businesses are cautious about adoption due to safety and security requirements. Regulatory changes that reduce environmental protections also pose a risk to sustainable manufacturing.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Resilience, tenacity, commitment to clients, sustainable and ethical sourcing, and maintaining human connection in business.