Winter 2016

Products with Purpose By Julie McCallum

Max’is Creations Max Ash, chief creator

Products that give back: Max’s collection of patent-pending sports-themed mugs.

Company Mission: Max Ash is proud to advance the one in five cause. “I happen to have dyslexia, a language-based learning disability often linked to creativity,” Ash explained. “While dyslexia can make learning in school hard, it is also a gift that got me to think of putting a basketball hoop on a mug for throwing marshmallows into hot cocoa.” One in five kids in the U.S. struggles with learning and attention issues related to reading, writing, math, organization and attention. Kids with learning and attention issues can thrive when they get the support they need. That’s why Ash donates five percent of his profits from the sale of his mugs to dyslexia-related charities and nonprofits like Understood.org, which are dedicated to empowering parents of kids like Ash.

How do the products serve the mission? Five percent of the profits from the sale of Max’s mugs go to charities as noted above. Max has also made numerous in-kind donations (of his mugs) to charities.  Understood.org is a comprehensive free online resource created by 15 nonprofits that care deeply about kids with learning and attention issues.  It empowers parents through personalized support, interactive tools, daily access to experts, a community of parents and more, so their children can go from simply coping to truly thriving in life.

Plans for the future: Ash has already signed his first licensing agreement with an overseas retailer and has other exciting news in the works.

For more information, visit www.maxiscreations.com

Julie McCallum

Julie McCallum is publisher of Gift Shop Magazine. She is formerly the editor-in-chief of the publication, as well as editor of Museums & More, and she has more than 25 years experience in publishing.