So far M.A.S. has been able to support 2 different classrooms in two different states. How? With a book I wrote titled “Let The Kids Play” and M.A.S. Apparel.
The mission started when friends of mine were talking about all the money they spend out of pocket for their classrooms each year. Also, some mentioned they couldn’t afford to purchase certain supplies, therefore some projects were simply not able to be completed. A few of them even mentioned not having enough funding to purchase the supplies the curriculum called for, let alone any extra materials. This got me thinking, and made me want to help, although I didn’t realize I had the potential to help just yet, it was just over the horizon. One day my wife (Erin) came home with a copy of the book ” Start Something That Matters”, it is the story of TOMS shoes. After reading that book, and then reading Seth Godins’ Blog, I began to realize all I had to do to make a difference was, SOMETHING.
At this point in time, I began thinking of many ways to help, and the original idea was created in the apartment of Tim and Ali Frankhouse on Front Street in Traverse City, Michigan. Ali, is a fashion designer who is working on her Masters in Merchandising and Marketing. Ali, doesn’t always say something is a bad idea, but here face sure does.
So what was the bad idea? It was an apparel company focused around long sleeve shirts with wristbandd sewn onto the sleeve with the logo on the wristband. Why? Because I thought the wristband would stand out. Ali, said I was onto something, which was a nice way of saying, try a different direction. Well, obviously I did, and thank goodness, because I think the other idea was great in concept but the market for the shirts was small…very small.
So over the course of the next few weeks, with the help of Erin, I settled on M.A.S. M.A.S. stands for Motivate and Support, this is our mission and we do it “Everyday, All Day” the support comes from the supplies we give, the Motivation comes in many different forms, but it is usually direct contact with the youth. We motivate through coaching, baseball lessons, weight lifting sessions, but mostly through positive interactions with the kids we come in contact with on a regular basis, through the indoor baseball facility. The goal is to make them understand anything is possible, and they should dream and dream big, but then put the work into their dream in order for it to become a reality. We talk about failure, and that it is always an option, but that should never scare you away from going after something.
After the concept was finished, I worked closely with a few players I used to coach at Davenport University. Derek Gentile did the design work, and Ty Beatty helped with design concepts, and getting the word out. Also, I would be an awful son if I didn’t say to this day, My mother has been the most successful salesperson and word spreader of anyone involved, and my Aunt Pat has chipped in a ton as well. So as you can see, I have a very strong team. Now that we have a team, we need a product, the only problem was, there was exactly ZERO dollars to order and print shirts. I needed help, but I didn’t want an actual loan, so I created a power point presentation and then reached out to few contacts to help me set up a meeting with a guy who had the means to get me what I needed. What did I need? 100 shirts ordered and printed with no upfront cost and 4 month terms. The meeting was set, and I presented my idea. The response was, “I think you have a lot of energy and passion for this mission, I don’t think selling shirts and a book are going to make you any money, but I believe in you, so I will give you 100 shirts with the terms you need”. He added, “You are crazy to give $5 from each shirt sale away, that is too much”. Funny thing is I still think it isn’t enough, but I simply cannot give anymore away.
VICTORY…well not yet, now I had to get the shirts, sell them, make the drops, spread the word, sell more shirts, find more classrooms, sell more books, make enough money to pay back my debt, order more shirts, sell more shirts, drop more supplies, hopefully build a website, sell more shirts. Why do I have to sell so many shirts? Because I am not going to put any money into the company, I am going to let this grow slowly and surely. I need to build a brand that people believe in, and so far I think it is working. The key is trust and honesty. People have to trust me to do what I say I am going to do with the money, and I have to be honest about where the money is going, and then deliver the supplies. So far so good, and I believe this mission is worth the time and effort, I hope you do to.
So that is the story so far, I hope it gets longer and longer, with your support.
With your support, the first order has been paid off, two classrooms were given supplies they needed and there is still money left over for more classrooms to receive help. Also, some people have sent in more money than they owe, and any extra money sent in goes to school supplies, and I mean 100% of it.
I published “Let The Kids Play” on my own, and I simply send it out via email for $5. I started the apparel company with $0 dollars, simply because I didn’t have any money to put into it. I used my resources and created it based solely on terms of payment.
M.A.S. is a for profit business that gives a portion of each sale (Not Profits) of each sale away to school supplies. The supplies are then purchased by myself, close friends, or other M.A.S. ambassadors that I trust with the money. The supplies are also delivered by us personally as well.
In case you are wondering the concept is simple, make money and give back. My goal is to eventually make a living doing something meaningful and something that truly makes a difference.
For every book sold I give $2.50 to school supplies
For every shirt purchased I give $5 to school supplies
If someone purchases a shirt and a book I give 100% of the book purchase to school supplies. That means a $30 purchase raises $10 for school supplies.
How can you get a copy of “Let The Kids Play” or buy a shirt, or better yet, both? Send me an email at:
samflamont@yahoo.com
I can’t wait to hear from you
