Organizing for America | Mel Fox's Blog

Mel Fox's Blog

Years ago, I retired as a school district operations supervisor.

By Mel from New York, NY - Sep 2nd, 2009 at 4:58 am EDT

My story is this: Years ago, I retired as a school district operations supervisor. (My responsibilities were hiring contractors and operations staff, and overseeing purchasing.) I have owned a profitable business called Southeast Entertainment for thirty years. This business planned tours for entertainers and put shows together. Since retiring, I have shown my leadership in the community by organizing fundraisers to benefit students. Through our fundraising efforts, we were able to give over $2500 to care for a student with a brain tumor and $2500 to help a student whose parents were killed in an auto accident. I personally contributed all of the mailing and advertising costs. For the past couple of years, the modest profits Southeast Entertainment has made have all been funneled into providing college scholarships at two high schools and discount tours to seniors. After organizing the student fundraisers, I decided to help families going through hardships in the community to make a better life for themselves through business. I started purchasing businesses I found on the Internet but soon realized that they were all too complicated, too expensive, or just scams. My friend was making a good living buying merchandise from a liquidation company at below wholesale prices. After researching the company, I decided to give it a try. I ordered seventeen items to check the quality, cost, and delivery time. With the help of four friends, I checked out the goods and found them acceptable, with just a three-day delivery time. I have since learned that if I become a platinum agent, I can get a better price and improve my profit margin. I contacted two high schools to find families who would want to start their own businesses, and as a result I am working with two single mothers (one of whom has a handicapped daughter and the other has four children). The company, which I named A B H, will supply them with catalogs, circulars, letters, postcards, mail-order marketing, and advertising materials so they can get started. I will show them how the program works and how it will benefit them. They will be involved in contacting businesses; passing out flyers; sending out postcards, circulars, and letters; and taking orders. After showing them the merchandise we purchased, the first family decided to sell ladies and men's gift watch sets, and the second family selected student backpacks. With help from both of the families, including the children, A B H has been able to obtain a business license and Internet domain. We are now working on a website and marketing and business plan. Read More »

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