Wednesday, March 31, 2010

bread + butter project contributes $2,400 to New England food banks

The final numbers are in, and we are happy to report that the bread + butter project – with help from all of our friends, followers, and customers – will contribute $400 to each of our six New England food bank partners: Connecticut Food Bank, Good Shepherd Food-Bank, Greater Boston Food Bank, New Hampshire Food Bank, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and Vermont Foodbank.

The total contribution of $2,400 exceeds the commitment we made through the New England-wide expansion we announced last fall. At that time, we promised to give 50 percent of our profits from the sale of bread + butter products over a 5-month period to our partners. But profits don't come quickly to start-up businesses like ours. Most small businesses take 2-3 years to break even, and longer to start sharing their profits. But bread + butter isn’t like most businesses, and we promised to provide benefits to our nonprofit partners from the very beginning. So, when we looked at our sales results from November 2009 – March 2010, we knew we wanted to make an even bigger difference and decided to give 100 percent of our revenues to our partners. And, to get to a nice round number, we also provided each of our partners with a small gift from our family’s charitable giving account.

When we started the bread + butter project last August, our goal was to work together as a family to help hungry people, develop a sustainable business model, and find out what it takes to make a real difference. We have learned so much over the past several months, and with your help, we know that we are making a real difference for hungry people throughout the region. Thank you to all who have supported our project and encouraged us in our efforts.

Tom, Sue, Katie + Emma

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Sunday, March 28, 2010

What's next for bread + butter?

With only a few days left in March, and our partnerships with six New England food banks coming to a close, many of you are probably wondering what's next for the bread + butter project team. Be sure to check our blog this Wednesday, March 31, to see the final numbers and the amount of the contributions we'll make to our New England partners. And on Thursday, April 1, we'll reveal what's next for bread + butter. Stay tuned. It's going to be an exciting week!

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Friday, March 26, 2010

Another bread + butter video

Here's a great lip-synch chair dance to the Newbeats' classic, "I like Bread and Butter." Enjoy!



Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Happy Random Day!

Today's search on YouTube brought up these two random kids, also known as bread + butter. Don't know who they are or where they are from, but their video reminds me a bit of an old video rental called Moron Movies that Sue and I saw in the '80's. Does anyone remember that one?



Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Monday, March 22, 2010

Bounce, Flip, Boing!

Hey everyone, Sue here again.

Here at the bread + butter headquarters we've acquired a new toy. That would be our 14-foot trampoline that now adorns our backyard and I'm quite certain is thrilling our neighbors with it's shiny metal bars, black netting and squeaky springs. Not exactly an esthetically pleasing addition to the landscape of the neighborhood. However, as you can well imagine, we have been very popular with the kids all over our street who will benefit as much as Katie & Emma on this one. Of course, the safety concerns are real so we have laid down some laws that will present some challenges but that I hope we can work out in some mutually beneficial way (as in no one gets hurt, no one sues us, everyone is happy)

As I was thinking about the trampoline, I couldn't help but draw a parallel to our bread + butter project in terms of the ups and downs. We have had great interest, lulls, spikes in sales, downturns, spikes in the kids enthusiasm, and then less enthusiasm as they get distracted by, well, normal kid stuff. It is a cycle but one that continues to test our commitment and drive and make us rethink how we do business. Which is a good thing.

Well I'm glad amid the political chaos of today's healthcare fallout we have the mindless distraction of Dancing with the Stars. We could probably all use it.

Have a great evening everyone. We'll get a picture posted of the girls on the trampoline in the coming days.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Thursday, March 18, 2010

One Giant Leap...

Hey b & b'ers, Sue here.

As spring weather arrives and activities are in full swing, we are finding it more and more difficult to find the time to blog (as is evidenced by Katie's previous blog entitled "sleepy"). However, it doesn't mean that our project is not front of mind, just takes a little more gusto to drag our tired behinds to the computer to share with you.

Since last spring at this time I was undergoing radiation for pre-cancerous cells in my breast, this spring I am focused on really enjoying my friends, the nice weather, a good dinner out, a much anticipated weekend, a relaxing pedicure, a bike ride with my daughter, you get the idea. It's not always easy. As I have blogged in the past, I am an ultra Type A overachiever whose mind goes about 90 miles an hour while sleeping. I am not successful all the time, but I am making a little bit of progress and always reminding myself that no one really cares about the minutia except me. And it really doesn't matter all that much if the laundry isn't caught up (unless someone runs out of underwear), your floors aren't sparkling clean or you haven't chaperoned as many field trips as Sally's mom. Hey, I've even learned to let go of making the beds on the days that I work. That is a small step for man, a giant leap for my superego who thinks I need to be June Cleaver on a caffeine high.

Okay, time to watch The Office and wind down. Have a great night everyone. Thanks so much for following us. We appreciate it more than you know. (picture is of me and the girls in Ogunquit, Maine last summer)

Whether . Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

sleepy

Hey everyone,
I'm sorry this is not a great post but I'm tired and it's rather late, will write more tommorow.
--
Peace out
BuTtEr
Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Monday, March 15, 2010

bread + butter baby shower


New baby coming this spring or summer? Skip the malls and gift registries. You can find beautiful bread + butter one piece t-shirts (with short or long sleeves) bibs, and receiving blankets for babies in our shop. And the bread + butter messenger bag can double as a diaper bag for cool moms and dads. Give a gift that helps feed hungry people and start a tradition of helping others at a very early age. Select the 'kids and babies' category from the pull-down menu at the top of our shop to see all of our products for little ones. No baby shower gifts needed? These items also make great additions to Easter baskets. Buy $50 worth and get free standard shipping when you enter coupon code SHIPPEDFREE at checkout.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Why you should buy the bread + butter messenger bag: by Emma


As part of our work to learn more about running a business, Emma had an assignment this week to write a convincing marketing message, focusing on the benefits of the bread + butter messenger bag. Read below and see how you think she did:

Are you looking for a nice trendy messenger bag? Well, your search is over! This bag features a BIG amount of space for anything like laptops, books, etc. It also features a buckle for safe keeping! Plus, you're helping with hunger at the same time and inspiring others to help when you're showing off this bag. So that's why you should order this trendy messenger bag today! Visit our SHOP to see the different colors.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Free Shipping Through March 31


In an effort to maximize the size of our donations to our New England nonprofit food bank partners, the bread + butter project is offering free standard shipping on all orders over $50 through the end of March.

Just enter coupon code SHIPPEDFREE at checkout.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Still 30 Minutes or Less?

Hey bread + butter fans!

Many of you may know that I work in the public relations industry. Perhaps that is why I am so fascinated with the news of late. On the one hand you have Toyota responding to a PR crisis - they are desperately trying to repair their sinking image and rebuild trust by pulling at consumer heartstrings "Thanks for your loyalty" and "Thanks for standing by us." On the other hand you have Dominos creating a PR crisis by bringing to our attention just how crappy everyone thinks their pizza is and crafting an honest message that acknowledges their weakness in the market: "We know our pizza tasted like cardboard but now we've made it better." Here's an interesting article about Dominos approach.

These stories have been a good lesson for our girls as we teach them about the importance of building a positive brand image, crisis management and the role of PR...they may not understand the industry jargon but the bread + butter project is teaching them business lessons that will serve them well as they apply these principles to future endeavors.

But I'm still fascinated with Dominos "let's promote our new pizza by admitting how crappy it used to be" approach. I have to give them high grades for gutsiness. And it has certainly garnered them a lot of attention. But what do you think: genius marketing maneuver or PR disaster? Weigh in by clicking "comments" below.

Enjoy your night everyone. Hey, why not order some pizza?

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Slippery When Wet

Hi friends, Sue here!
I aplogize it's been a while since I've checked in. Why is it that we skip the things we enjoy most when life gets crazy? Seems odd but the mundane tasks that have to get done take precedence over the things that energize us and make us happy - like bread + butter!!

I made it back to the gym today after about a week away. However, I had a bit of an incident on my way in when I spilled a bottle of flavored water on my sweat pants before getting out of the car - in a most 'unfortunate' spot. So, rather than look like I wet my pants with blueberry pomegranite-smelling urine - I had to go home and change and begin again.

Just now, I created a mini flood in the bathroom when I was cleaning out a trash can and left the sink running by accident. (Sorry to tell you about it this way, honey!!) I think it's safe to say I should stay away from flames, knives and ladders today.

We've definitely turned a corner here in New England. The sun is out and you can just feel Spring. Anyway, I'm out of time at the moment as Katie & Emma will be arriving home from school momentarily. I will try and stay dry. Enjoy your day and remember we are extending 15% off any order over $35 in our store through March 12th in honor of St. Patrick's Day. Use code: MARCHSALE4

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of buttah

If you remember this one, you are part of the original Sesame Street generation.



Congrats. Now get on down to the bread + butter e-store and repeat after me: A long-sleeve T, a sweatshirt, and a kid's apron. I'm just sayin...

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Monday, March 8, 2010

Don't miss the chance to help make a real difference here in New England

The countdown is on! Our friends and followers have just over three weeks to help us maximize the bread + butter project's contributions to our 6 New England food bank partners. All orders placed by March 31 will be counted as part of our 5-month commitment to Connecticut Food Bank, Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Maine, Greater Boston Food Bank in Massachusetts, New Hampshire Food Bank, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, and Vermont Foodbank. Through our partnership, we've agreed to share 50% of our profits with these organizations, and the need for food and funding is greater than ever. If you'd like your purchase to help hungry people across New England, now is the time to place an order. If you are able to spread the word by sharing this message with others, we would certainly appreciate it. Thank you for your help.

-Tom, Sue, Katie and Emma

See background on our New England-wide partnership.

Check out Frequently Asked Questions about the bread + butter project.

Meet the bread + butter project team: Tom, Sue, Katie and Emma.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

baby loves bread + buttter


And who could blame her with this awesome one piece tee shirt? We also have some that baby boys would love too. See the 3 color selections in our shop. Did you know that we also have long-sleeve tees for babies and sweatshirts for toddlers? Visit the shop and take a look around. You can sort items by selecting the kids and baby category from the pull-down menu at the top of the shop. These items make great gifts for baby showers. Get some today.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Sunday, March 7, 2010

bread + butter partner provides donation opportunities for jazz and hockey lovers in Maine

Our friends at the Good Shepherd Food-Bank are teaming up with the Portland Pirates for a food drive, and will benefit from an upcoming jazz concert. Find out more at the events page on their website.


Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Helping Fill Bellies Hats are Here


Winter isn't over yet - at least not here in New England. Look cool while you keep warm in this new Helping Fill Bellies hat. It comes in 3 color combos and sells for less $15. (Black and Navy are the other colors, if you must know.) See them all in our shop. Seriously, who doesn't need a hat? Get one and make a difference today.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Friday, March 5, 2010

bread + butter partner announces Mac & Cheese Challenge and partipates in PB Xpress Campaign


Our friends at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank are busy with peanut butter and macaroni and cheese this month. Find out more about their involvement with the PB Xpress virtual food drive, and their partnership with Shaws and the Providence Bruins on the Mac & Cheese Challenge. Help them out, won't you?



Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

bread + butter project recommends b Postive Project


As St. Patrick's day approaches, I want to give a shout out to our friends at the b Positive Project - a positive movement dedicated to inspire and motivate people to live their lives with a purpose. For Irish guys interested in a good long-sleeve T-shirt, I also want to recommend their limited edition b Irish shirt, which you can find on their product page. From now through March 14, sales of this shirt will benefit the Starlight Children's Foundation and will help send 100 ill children to Canobie Lake Amusement Park this spring. I ordered my b Irish shirt, received it in the mail today, and couldn't be happier. Nice shirt and good quality. I took their advice and ordered a size up, as the shirt runs small. I'm usually a size 40-42 suit size and I'm glad I ordered the XL T-shirt. All you ladies interested in a St. Patrick's Day T should check out the bread + butter shamrock specials that appear at the top of our shop. See our recent post for special savings.

-Tom

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP

Monday, March 1, 2010

Well I can't really think of a name for this post so here's one

Hey butterers, Sue here.
After a trying weekend with both a power outage and a horrific sinus infection, I'm finally feeling better (thanks to some strong antibiotics). I'm off on Mondays and generally spend the day running around but forced myself to lower the bar for once and just rest and reset the power button. Okay, I didn't exactly rest - I did some PR work from home, laundry, brought the kids to dentist appointments, Katie to dance and now I'm home. But that's a really slow day. I'm sure you other moms - and dads - can relate. Going to work is always the easiest part of my day. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, after a lifetime of being an overachiever, I am desperately trying to be happy with mediocre. My new mantra is "it's good enough." Sometimes it just has to be.

I am working on pitching bread + butter to some new media outlets including Fetch with Ruff Ruffman on PBS (we'd make a great challenge for the Fetchers), the fourth hour of the Today show, etc. Our dream would be to have Ryan Seacrest wear our t-shirt on Idol - that would catapult us into the stratosphere but actually getting it to him is the challenge. The assistant to his agent's publicist might end up with it at best. It's a tough contact, even when you're in the PR business like I am.

Anyway, time for homework and showers and a new Two and a Half Men tonight (unless Charlie Sheen is still in rehab). We'll check back in tomorrow. Have a great night.

Click "comments" below to add your thoughts or visit our SHOP