Week 2:
If you have ever been into our store (and I am really hoping you have) you may have noticed a wall of t-shirts hanging up with super cute designs and witty sayings. If you have ever been to any of our events, you should have seen these shirts on display. If you follow our Facebook page, you may have seen me post about these shirts before also. Basically, if you support Audrey’s this probably comes as no surprise that I adore everything about the company AdopTee’s and the products that creative mastermind, Elaine, makes herself.
I told you that I hoped the purpose of this blog would be to properly highlight some of the amazing and local businesses that have supported me and Audrey’s over the past 3 years. I can honestly say that I don’t know where I would be without Elaine, her products, and her friendship.
Flash back to 2 winters ago. I had casually gotten to know Elaine and her amazing rescue dog Daisy when they would stop by the store to shop and place orders for dog food delivery. One day Elaine had mentioned that she would like to get together to go over some business ideas she had been thinking about. We met one snowy day at a Starbucks and the rest is history. Yes, there are a lot of boring business details that happened in between but no one needs to know about them. (Smile)
What really matters is that Elaine followed her heart, passion, and business sense and started a company that not only produces super stylish and quality clothing but 50% of the net proceeds go back to animal related charities… yes, let me repeat that again… every time you purchase a t-shirt from AdopTee’s, 50% of the proceeds go back to a designated charity.
But… the story does not stop there. Anyone who knows Brad and I will attest to the fact that we are very big supporters of our military so when on August 6th, 2011 a Navy SEAL helicopter was shot down and there was the largest loss in SEAL history (including a SEAL dog named Bart) I knew I wanted to do something to help. I approached Elaine and together with the help of a dear friend we designed three t-shirts that showed the images of a Navy SEAL dog and shared the story of how men and dogs serve bravely together. Elaine once again agreed that she would donate 50% of the proceeds of every t-shirt sold back to the Navy SEAL Foundation. We named this idea, Project: BART.
Over the last 2 years I have watched AdopTee’s grow from an idea to a booming LOCAL business. Elaine has expanded her line from t-shirts to dog bandanas, key chains, tote bags, bowtie’s, rope toys and so much more. Her dedication to helping make a difference in the animal community is evident through all of her charity work. Whether she is donating her products to auctions, attending events, spreading the word, or working as an adoption coordinator for Great Dog Rescue she constantly amazes me and pushes me to do more.
I am once again going to urge you to follow Elaine and her company. I am going to urge you to support her because not only does she deserve the fan base she needs to be supported as a local business just as you have supported me. While we will sadly no longer be able to sell t-shirts after we close (we will do so until the last week of March however) her products can be found online, at the SOWA market, several other small local pet supply stores, Etsy, and other independent shows. Please remember that what makes this company special and unique is the money that it is raising to help pets everywhere. When you need a great gift for your pet loving family member or friend, look no further!
