Winter 2019

Products with Purpose By Sam Ujvary

To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” President Lincoln stated this in is second inaugural address in 1865.

As Americans — or citizens of any country — showing support and gratitude to veterans is decidedly important. There may be just one day a year specifically for those in the armed forces, but these companies show their backing and loyalty with every purchase.

EVER ELLIS

Rachel Fuller, assistant brand and marketing manager www.everellis.com

Company mission: Each year, we select a Give Back organization. We design a product around the organization to bring awareness, and donate a portion of the profits back to the organization. This year, our Give Back organization is Canines for Veterans, an organization that provides rehabilitated service dogs to veterans with military-related injuries or PTSD. You can see our Pawprint Hats — giveback product — (on our website).

How do your products serve the mission? Our pawprint hat gives a portion of the profits back to Canines for Veterans. We give an additional donation to Canines for Veterans for every social media post using our hashtag #EEGiftingIsGood..

Plans for the future: We will continue to choose a new Give Back organization each year, based on nominations from our retailers.

How can retailers get involved? Retailers can encourage their customers to post on social media using our hashtag. They can also make suggestions for future Give Back organizations on our website. Our goal is to keep our retailers in mind with every decision we make, so it is important to us to choose a Give Back organization that is impactful for our customers.

DUKE CANNON SUPPLY CO

Kyle DeGoey, sales manager | www.dukecannon.com

Company mission: The military is the backbone of the Duke Cannon brand. We are humbled every day by those who serve and protect our country. As such, we field test everything with active duty soldiers and give back to veterans causes. One of our best friends and partners is the designated marksman of Bravo Company 2-135. They help us test all of our all of our products and ensure they are field ready.

How do your products serve the mission? We have donated thousands of dollars to many great veteran causes including Honor Flight, MWDTSA, Fisher House, Helmets to Hardhats, K9s for Warriors, and many more. Our entire staff volunteers their time every Veterans Day to serve breakfast for veterans in our local community. We strive to give back to those who have given everything.

Plans for the future: As we grow, we want to be able to provide lasting assistance to many more veteran causes, as well as continue to work with our active military friends and partners to deliver quality product to our customers.

How can retailers get involved? Visit our website at www.dukecannon.com or email us at wholesale@dukecannon.com

INNOVATIVE SUPPLIES

Nneka Brown-Massey, founder, creative director and veteran, having served as a U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Paratrooper. | www.innovativesupplies.net

Company mission: Innovative Supplies strives to create diversity in stationery supplies by enlisting artists from all over the world, and give them a platform to have their art seen by people all over the world. Innovative Supplies is hiring at-risk teens and giving them the tools that they need to be successful and giving them confidence prior to entering the workforce after high school or college. Innovative Supplies is adamant on recycling and using reusable materials to make their products. This will have a positive impact on the environment and ecosystem across the planet. Innovative Supplies has a “one team one fight” motto that makes sure that all employees feel that their voice is heard and that their contribution to the company’s goals is important.

How do your products serve the mission? Our products use recycled and sustainably sourced paper and plastic. We also hire at-risk teens in the community to teach them leadership and other soft working skills like team building and communication.

Plans for the future: Innovative Supplies will be opening up an international art entry contest, we are searching for artist for the 2019 stationery collection. Interested artists should follow @InnovativeSupplies on Instagram for the release of more information to when the contest opens.

How can retailers get involved? Retailers and their respective representatives that show an interest in supporting a service-disabled veteran-owned business that also hires and trains at-risk youth should email nnekabrown@innovativesupplies.net. This is a great time in consumer shopping history to give consumers an option to support diversity as well as a social impacting company.

STUBBLE + ‘STACHE

Nick Karnaze, founder

www.stubbleandstache.com

Company mission: At stubble + ‘stache our purpose is twofold. First, we aim to make the best skincare and beard care products the world has ever known. Second, we provide much needed financial support to pioneering nonprofits that are working tirelessly to help our wounded heroes. Specifically, we focus on innovative charities helping those suffering from the mental wounds of combat.

How do your products serve the mission? To do this, we donate five percent of our net profits to these life-changing organizations. Currently we support the Marine Raider Foundation.

Plans for the future: As the company grows in product range and profit, Founder Nick Karnaze aims to help support an increasing number of nonprofits dedicated to aiding veterans.

How can retailers get involved? At this time stubble + ‘stache is sold only on www.stubbleandstache.com.

Click here for free product information from these companies.

Sam Ujvary

Sam is the managing editor of Gift Shop Pets, Museums & More and Party & Halloween Retailer, and is a contributing editor for Gift Shop Magazine. She has a copywriting background and has been in publishing for six years.