A few months ago, I posted "Our Story," which gave a general overview of e-Partners in Giving. I thought I would share Part II to that story. This is content directly from our web site and one of the first glimpses behind the e-Partners' curtain:
“How did you
come up with that idea?”
...as told by President/CEO of e-Partners in Giving, Drew Myers
I love it when people ask me that question, because I LOVE telling this story.
It was the spring of 2007, and I was camping by myself just south of Fort Worth.
I was working in the Athletics Department at Texas Christian University at the time, and I just needed to get away and clear my head. I woke up in the middle of the night and had a random thought about my boss and his son, who was about to celebrate his first birthday.
“When is his birthday?” I whispered to myself. “It should be coming up pretty soon. I don’t want to get him a toy he’s going play with once, or buy him a book that someone might read to him once or twice.”
At this point of the story, I would like to say: I have NO IDEA why I was thinking about this at 3 a.m. in the middle of the woods.
Back to my late-night thoughts:
“I really wish I could donate to a scholarship fund in his name,” I thought to myself. And with that one thought, a business idea was born. Over the next several hours, the idea began to come alive. “This is bigger than just accepting donations for a little kid’s birthday party,” I thought to myself. “What about weddings? Graduations? Funerals?”
That’s when my idea started to get legs, especially regarding memorial donations. There would be a solid market for the other occasions, but collecting donations for funerals could be HUGE.
...as told by President/CEO of e-Partners in Giving, Drew Myers
I love it when people ask me that question, because I LOVE telling this story.
It was the spring of 2007, and I was camping by myself just south of Fort Worth.
I was working in the Athletics Department at Texas Christian University at the time, and I just needed to get away and clear my head. I woke up in the middle of the night and had a random thought about my boss and his son, who was about to celebrate his first birthday.
“When is his birthday?” I whispered to myself. “It should be coming up pretty soon. I don’t want to get him a toy he’s going play with once, or buy him a book that someone might read to him once or twice.”
At this point of the story, I would like to say: I have NO IDEA why I was thinking about this at 3 a.m. in the middle of the woods.
Back to my late-night thoughts:
“I really wish I could donate to a scholarship fund in his name,” I thought to myself. And with that one thought, a business idea was born. Over the next several hours, the idea began to come alive. “This is bigger than just accepting donations for a little kid’s birthday party,” I thought to myself. “What about weddings? Graduations? Funerals?”
That’s when my idea started to get legs, especially regarding memorial donations. There would be a solid market for the other occasions, but collecting donations for funerals could be HUGE.
I probably fell back asleep around 5:30 a.m. – a good 2.5-hour brainstorming session within the confines of my tent – but a few hours later, I jumped up and rummaged through the trashcan at my campsite. I was feverously searching for the obituaries that ran in the newspaper the day before.
Once I found the section, I spread out the paper on the tailgate of my truck and circled each memorial request with a pen. “In lieu of flowers, the family requests…” I don’t remember how many I circled that day, what I DO remember is the fact most of them listed the address of the non-profit organization OR didn’t list any contact information at all.
“People are still writing checks to these charities?” I thought to myself. “I can’t remember the last time I wrote a check to anyone.”
Now, the seed was firmly planted.
A couple of weeks later – during a conversation with my mom – my idea received a kick-start and began to grow into what it is today. I told her my idea and she told me that she had three checks, sitting by her computer, just waiting for her to go online and look up the address.
“People are still writing checks to these charities?” I thought to myself. “I can’t remember the last time I wrote a check to anyone.”
Now, the seed was firmly planted.
A couple of weeks later – during a conversation with my mom – my idea received a kick-start and began to grow into what it is today. I told her my idea and she told me that she had three checks, sitting by her computer, just waiting for her to go online and look up the address.
“Then I have to address the envelope, find a stamp, and put it in the mail,” she said.
My response: “What if you could go to one web site, make the donations using a debit or credit card and be done with it?”
Of course she said that would be awesome and e-Partners in Giving was off and running.
Over the last year and a half, we have put together a business plan that focuses on convenience and security – not just for the person making the donation, but also for the person or family requesting the donation. We have put together a solid team that lives and breathes the ideals of our corporate character.
We are excited about changing the world –
one donation at a time.
Over the last year and a half, we have put together a business plan that focuses on convenience and security – not just for the person making the donation, but also for the person or family requesting the donation. We have put together a solid team that lives and breathes the ideals of our corporate character.
We are excited about changing the world –
one donation at a time.
NOTE: We have received a lot of guidance and help during the course of this start-up endeavor – every ounce of it appreciated more than we can express on this web site. A whole-hearted “thank you” only begins to capture our sincere gratitude. There is NO WAY that e-Partners in Giving would be where it is today with your help. (This note is directed to anyone, who is thinking, “Is he talking to me?”)
OTHER NUGGETS:
QUOTEBOOK
“Life is not measured by its duration, but rather by its donation. We are not measured by the distance we travel, but by the difference we make.”
NOTE: This was sent to me by my business partner; she heard it at the funeral of former State Representative Buddy West. I'm not sure the origin of the quote, but it is GREAT!
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