I made something. You should go buy it. Let me tell you why. Many ask me what I plan to do with the money. I want to make my dreams happen, travel to more places, try some new foods, not worry about bills, but — most importantly — I want to make the world more fantastic.
I could build an empire of nerdy and geeky pillows, blankets, and other things I wish to make for profit. (This is kinda the point of business.) I want to go one step farther: I want to build fantastic products that give people warm fuzzies on the outside and the inside. Charity work has always been important to me; I’ve been part of a giving club from the time I have had a real first pay check to now. I think that we need to give; this world isn’t limited to what we need and want, but what we can give and create.
So. I set it up so the first ten percent of my sales goes to Child’s Play. If you don’t know about the amazing work that Child’s Play does, take a few minutes and read up. I have a few goals now, I want to be apart of one of the largest donors to this organization within the year. I unfortunately can’t give that amount yet and still be a person that eats. But I promise that, as my business grows, I will also increase my gifts to Child’s Play. I’m not a not-for-profit yet (that takes a lot of paperwork), but that is another goal.
However, giving is easy. I want to build more than just items for people. I want to sponsor events that promote geeky art, music, dance, fashion, sports, and anything else under the pixelated sun! I want experiences that people can say changed their lives. I want to open a geeky bar, for instance, that fosters a community around it. I want to employ geeks to do geeky work. I want to invest aggressively in the geeky and gaming communities to help build these communities.
It’s pretty much what I am doing right now, just taken to the extreme. Make something, and then give something. I want to invest in the community and give to the ones in our community that need it. And I need your help! You have a couple ways of helping me directly:
1) Post this link some place where people can read and get excited about the work we can do. Follow me on Twitter to see and hear what I am doing.
2) Buy a pillow; the money will be going to a positive place. The more I sell the more I can give to people.
3) Send in suggestions or comments; your vocal support will inspire and motivate!
4) Offer yourself to this cause because every gift will have a place. Plus, if things go really well, I could not only give you praises and encouragement as payment, but maybe even employ you to follow your dreams.
5) Go do something nice for someone. The heroes that we love are great role models of this. (Okay, this one doesn’t directly effect me, but I’m sure the karma couldn’t hurt.)
Thank you for your time. Have a fantastic day.
Agape,
Justin
Please send comments and questions to: justin@pixelatedgeek.com or follow on Twitter @Justin_Dean