Giving Profit to Charity Instead of Google

Yesterday we started try #2 on the rubber mold for the Dolomite RocLok.  The goal is to have that rubber done tomorrow so we can have a completed piece before we leave for Southern California early Friday morning.  Then if the stars align we'll be able to meet up with Shorty Rossi in Venice Beach so that he can take a photo with the new product, after all we're making the Dolomite to support his Pit Bull Rescue.

We received the custom stamps we had made especially for this project on Saturday. They turned out great! I'm always happy when a new online vendor works out well.  Within 24 hours of approving and paying for the stamps the company based out of Massachusetts had them cut and in the mail to us back here in Oregon. It's always a little nerve wrecking trying a new online place especially if you're ordering a custom piece, but if you are ever in the market for stamps I would highly suggest SimonStamp.com as they did a great job and are a US based company to boot! Once the stamp was glued onto the rock we choose for the Dolomite, Ryan was able to get started on the rubber.

We're both excited to see how much money this new RocLok will raise for this charity.  Both Ryan and I feel strongly about trying to give back to the community any way we can but it's really hard to donate money when you can't pay yourself a salary.  So we're thankful that Shorty agreed to work with us on this and fingers crossed it will prove beneficial for us both.  In the past we've tried to raise money for the Cat Adoption Team here in Portland through various sales events. But unfortunately we haven't had a huge amount of success with that... yet.  I am stubbornly clinging to the thought that our fundraising efforts will not be in vain and will help the causes we are trying so desperately to make some money for.

I've been designing printed material for CAT for about 3 years now and in that time have come to really appreciate the work they do for all of the feral cats in need. Also familiar with their financial blight in this recession, I've been keen on the idea of getting them some much needed funds and thought that their supporters would be happy to support the cause and make sure Fluffy was well cared for in their absence.  However, the concept must not have fully sunken in yet. 

Our first attempt to fund raise for CAT was at a Pet Expo a couple years back.  At that time we were selling only one style, the St. Helens, at only $49.95 or $40 since it was a show.  Our profit margin wasn't very good as it was so we really could only afford to donate $5 back on each sale.  Even though it was more than 10% the reception was chilly and one CAT supporter told me he'd rather give the $5 to CAT himself, which I understand completely still it was a bummer.  Attempt #2 was by attending CAT's annual CATnip 5K and Mouse Miler, a bust.  Next we were given a space for an advertisement on the backside of their 2011 annual calendar, yet again a failure. Finally at this years 5K we found success! Sure it was only one sale bringing CAT a mere $15 but it was a sale! My only hope is that with all our attempts we build some synergy and with a couple more attempts CAT supporters will realize that we are seriously trying to fund raise not use the charity as a marketing ploy. 

Unfortunately I think that a lot of businesses exploit charity as a way to get marketing out there.  And while admittedly we are hoping our philanthropic gestures will raise our product awareness and in turn sales, we truly want to help the charities we are dedicating our time and profit share to. In reality it would probably be easier to team up with Home Depot and give them all the profit share, but we want that money to help others not line big businesses pockets. Yeah, you could say that our selling through Walmart or Lowes could create jobs at those retail stores, but does it really?  I personally like knowing where that money is going and what it is helping.

We still depend on Google Adwords and teaming up with larger companies to be able to compete in the marketplace, but I continue to hope that creating a product that stands for something from the beginning will bring us more than monetary riches in the future. A little good Karma has to count for something right?