Fran – press on!

So since last week, I have been hanging out with one of the coolest people I have ever met. He is 76 years young, great business guy and just a cool dude. The cool thing about Fran is he wants my friendship for me and the same with him. Either one of us have an agenda, just to have fun. There are many cool stories of him and I over the years, including but not limited to – SAMS Club, RENT, race car driving, my near death experience, your Disney mishap with the wheel chair and me diving to protect him,buying cars or not waiting in lines at Two Jays. These mean nothing to you the reader) but alot to him and I. This guy has been a huge part of my life and inspires me daily. Hard to accept his illness and the pain that he is going through. The good thing is the medicine they are giving him, brings laughter to him and all around him. He mentioned this weekend that a Southwest Jet landed under his chair – hey that is a good branding message for Southwest – maybe I will call them! But the reality is in life – there are ALOT of people with agenda’s and want something from you or make withdrawals from your energy levels – this guy was the opposite – he made deposits in my energy levels, made me laugh and look at business and personal things in a new light. A positive light – always looking for a solution or to manage issues vs taking the opposite approach. So here I am, teary eyed as I write this in a means to help me understand and be strong for him as I say goodbye to him as he leaves for Boston in a few hours for treatment.

Fran, all I can say is thanks and I love everything about you. I had a friend put this together for you. It says simply, PRESS ON – there is a brighter day — Thank you for being such an inspiration to Melissa and I – We will see you soon. PRESS ON Buddy -

Holiday Cheer!

So we are well into the season and hope you have a great holiday with your friends and family. Candidly, I am taking a much needed break as the New Year will be in sane for me it seems. It is all good and we will me making even a larger difference in peoples lives in 09. I want to thank my staff, suppliers, friends and family for a great 2008. While we all have had challenges, we are looking forward to a fast, bright start to 09. Bill Hybels said at the LIGHT production that if you are a 50 Watt bulb – shine brighter. This is so true, take baby steps and you will be the LIGHT for people that need it. NOTE – there are more people that need it than you realize. So what is your wattage going to be in 09. Candidly, I am going to shine brighter as people need HOPE and getting HOPE starts with a positive, believing attitude.  So enjoy your holidays and I will be back after the new year!

It was him in the parade!

An Unfortunate Action to Protect Our Donors

 

 

Last week, Soles4Souls sued another charity for a serious breach of trust.  We found some of our donated shoes being sold online, rather than on a ship to help needy kids in Africa, where they were supposed to go.

 

It pains me to take this action, but it’s the only action possible in light of the events.  Charities are supposed to be completely transparent and trustworthy, and when something like this happens, all charities that “play by the rules” are affected in a negative way.

 

That’s not right, and we’re angry.  We’re angry for those needy kids who were supposed to get free shoes, for our partners who expected their generous gift to help those in need, and we’re angry for our staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make the GIFT of shoes possible.

 

We work very hard to keep our manufacturer partners protected from “dilution” when they donate products to us.  Our reputation IS our currency.  

 

The bottom line is this: we require that all our distribution partners sign air-tight agreements on where they can GIVE the shoes away.  And in this case, that agreement wasn’t followed.

 

We’re not trying to change the world, one SALE at a time… it’s a gift.

 

My beautiful daughter in her Dorm! What a mess!

Is this Mr Rogers?

Today – well really yesterday!

My days are often way different, today was no exception to that. I had to get up early to speak at a great church in Nashville with some of the warmest, welcoming folks, I have ever met. The 9 AM service was awesome and the  acceptance was better that I could have ever asked for. The 11 AM was out of this world. It started with the introduction and the entire congregation standing to their feet clapping for me. What could I say to regain my composure? Other than Man – the 11 crowd is allot more lively that the 9. It was a simple chat that I want to share with everyone today as many folks came up and just said WOW, you inspired me, etc. That is real cool. So here is the basis of the chat:

* You are impowered to make a huge difference in peoples lives. As I -”got off the couch” and did something, you can also.

* A pair of shoes given to someone gives them HOPE. It makes them look forward to a brighter day and not worry about stumbling their toe.

* What Dash taught me – In life you can walk barefoot – sometimes on sharp areas, rough areas, rough terrain and sometimes on grass. Meaning it is not always grass that you have under your feet and to just keep moving forward. Suffer the pain, enjoy the comfort, etc – there is a better day.

So after the two services, I had to jet to the Soles4Souls, Donelson-Hermitage Parade at noon. Tight squeeze but made it. It was really cool to hear the comments from the team, on lookers and the volunteers that came out to the event. We are humbled by your continued participation and support of our charity and just appreciate you. I think I said that 100 times. And I mean it! Thank you Donelson- Hermitage for welcoming us and making us a part of your community.

The coolest part of my day was having a late lunch with a cool kid Nate who is 13. He has some health problems and is recovering well. His sister has Cerebral Palsy and absolutely beautiful inside and out. We celebrated her birthday today as she shares the same birthday as Tiffany which is Tuesday! (dec 16) Email her at her site and wish her a happy birthday! (www.tiffanyjohnsonlive.com) Nate asked me when I left, “would you come to my school and have lunch sometime – Absolutely I responded.

So then the mega highlight and close to the end of my day, Melissa, my 19 year old daughter asked me to be her friend on FACEBOOK. Cool deal. That made my day! Thank you Melissa for asking me to be your friend, I love you so much and proud of who you are in this world of opportunities.

These things cost you nothing – read on!

How about getting plugged into Soles4Souls with several ways this month and they cost you nothing! Here you go…

* Are you on FACEBOOK? If you add PIPERLIME as a friend, our charity gets $1 per new friend added this month. PIPERLIME is a terrific online store associated with the GAP.

* Apply for the Soles4Souls Visa – once approved for this great rate and benefit card, we get $50 the first time you use it.

* Like to discuss your favorite product? Rate your favorite shoes on epinions.com and s4s gets $5 per rating!

So do you have a few minutes to help us change the world? There you go – Thanks.

 

Stats – I like them!

Want to hear some interesting facts about www.soles4souls.org and www.giveshoes.org?

* The average person stays on our site for 3.07 minutes

* The look at 5.38 pages per visit

* People have visited from over 146 Countries

* In those countries, we have had visitors from 10,731 cities

* Sub continents visits from 21

* Continents visits from 6

Team!

I am asked everyday – why is Soles4Souls so successful – I have two answers for this:

1- It is simple. We get and give shoes.

2- Team. I have the best team that any CEO would ask for. Our executive team of David, Kevin, Paul and I work well together and while we may disagree sometimes, we leave united and on the execution path. Our team members are simply the best. I grade our employees monthly in my mind 1-2 0r 3. 1- is superb, 2- great, needs to brush up on a few things, 3- bad fit or needs major adjustment. Every month I like to compare in my mind where are employees were and where they are now. I ask, Do they get it? I think through – how are they adapting or what can they/we do that is different to make the charity better. Are we the best place to work in town? What can we do better? Believe me, I give these items alot of thought and ask the executive team for their grading. Most often we are on the same page.

The team is what will make or break any organization – the team members are the backbone of Soles4Souls! What is the backbone of your company, organization or group?