Heidi Matonis, Founder & President, Positivitee
About three years ago I came up with the idea of creating stylish tees that supported non-profits with 10% donated back to the charity. It grew out of my desire to: be a role model for my children, support causes dear to me, and to try to create a small, viable business to call my own.
In 2007 I made the commitment to “go green.” “Going green” to me meant using certified organic cotton, pigment dyes, waterbase inks, and fair labor practices. I went a step further by also becoming a member of the carbon fund to offset my carbon shipping footprint. None of this was easy.
It required that I manufacture my own product. (I had been buying blank tees and simply screening them.) It caused my product price to jump. The decision to wholesale also raised my internet prices. I figured retail exposure–on which a made little or no profit–would add to my exposure and donations. Although both these choices—green and wholesaling—have had growing pains, they were fundamentally sound decisions.
The first PR package I sent out, got picked by O magazine. My tees were given the title: “What a Concept.” This seemed to validate my feelings for meaningful choices in the marketplace.
Going green has proven sound by merit of the amount of press green movement has gotten. On a personal level, it has been very satisfying to incorporate one of my core values into my business model.
In yoga, we cross our hands in prayer and touch our heads—“positive thoughts,” touch our mouths—“kind words,” touch our hearts—“true intentions.” I try to live my life by this simple mantra. I believe in the end, the key to success in life OR BUSINESS is to keep a clear vision of who you are, how you want to live and put yourself out there. Humans can not go on consuming as we have: mindlessly and with no respect for the planet. We all must embrace change. I choose to be a role model for my children. They are the ones that will suffer for our folly and greed. Change begins with individuals but I don’t believe business always has to be the bad guy.
When you create a tee shirt and give it a tagline: clothing with meaning—you give the consumer an option they didn’t even know they had. You are creating a market instead of meeting a demand. I believe there are enough people out there that will welcome the idea of clothing with meaning and that my small business can succeed and perpetuate to make the world a little gentler place.
Positivitee Grameen Foundation Product Line
Tags: Business, carbon fund, change, entrepreneur, fair labor, Green Business, O magazine, Oprah, oragnic, retail, small business, socially responsible, t shirts, tee-shirts
May 7, 2008 at 4:02 pm |
Your story is so great, Heidi, that I googled for PositiviTee and LOVED what I found! Well done!
I stumbled into this blog as I’m testing links of http://www.yunusphere.net which I created around an event that I organised for Muhammad Yunus in London.
And thus I’m impressed how you live what you preach, which is exactly about closing that gap between what individuals want/need and what corporations and institutions do and deliver…
Keep meditating while moving! I’m doing Yoga in a hot room!
Yours connectively,
Sabine
http://www.yunusphere.net – Expanding Dr. Yunus’ Sphere of Influence
May 15, 2008 at 6:20 am |
[...] Memiliki impian yang kuat dan jelas dan impiannya merupakan bosnya. · Sikap yang positif dan benar. · Mengikuti saran sponsor/upline. · Just focus and just do it. · [...]
July 29, 2008 at 4:59 pm |
Hi Heidi
I just happen to have stumbled across this, so I am going to introdice myself and ask you to post a positive thought. I hope that is OK?
My aim is to collect ONE MILLION POSITIVE THOUGHTS on http://www.makeamillionin3months.com by 31st October this year, in order to hold back the surge of negativity and the demise of hope that is circling the world.
This communication is a direct appeal to add your POSITIVE THOUGHTS to the website. They can express any thoughts you may have on any subject as long as the thoughts are positive ones.
I sincerely believe that you care what happens to the world at large – and not just the ‘world’ around you.
I can see that you already contribute a share of your time to those you feel most worthy of it, and that you don’t turn away from the needs of others as so many do. So please, don’t turn away from this urgent plea.
Negative thoughts are coming at us through the media, in forums, personal and public communications, TV, radio and cinema – and from every other quarter imaginable every single day. They quite clearly manifest themselves in hatred, fear, lawlessness and confusion. Thoughts are indeed becoming things – terrible things!
Why should I care? Because like you, the world is my home, and I have a moral responsibility to take care of it. Besides, I interact with people every day of my life. Therefore, I cannot turn away from what I see, hear and feel is happening all round me – can you?
Please go to http://www.makeamillionin3months.com post your POSITIVE THOUGHT and make a difference. By the way, email addresses are NOT requested, and you are welcome to give your real or business name – or use a pseudonym.
With sincere good wishes
Henry
October 22, 2008 at 1:04 pm |
[...] take time to THINK (it is the SOURCE OF POWER) take time to READ (it is the FOUNDATION OF WISDOM) take time to QUIET (it [...]