What happens when a business gets too big?

I'll tell you what happens, they lose customers. Like me. Let me backtrack a bit...

Back in January of this year I started ConnieCaps, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides stylish, hand-crafted hats to cancer patients free of charge. I applied for and received a resale certificate and faxed it to joann.com in February to be able to order materials tax-exempt, and sent an email with all of the pertinent information. A week later I hadn't heard anything, so I emailed them again to ask what my status was. I received an email (auto-respond) that said one of their customer care specialists would be in touch. I did get an email saying that my information would be forwarded to the appropriate department.

(insert the sound of crickets chirping here)

This morning, after getting numerous emails regarding sales they were having, I finally emailed again asking about my tax-exempt status. They replied "Our records do not confirm your account has been set up as tax exempt.  Unfortunately we will need for you to fax the information to us again. Please be sure to inlclude your name and e-mail address so we know which account to set up." 

Um. No. I realize that I could have inquired about my status earlier than today, but for crying out loud. I'm running this organization, making hats, maintaining records, running the website, rounding up volunteers. I shouldn't have to nag someone about my account.

Joann's is not the only place to buy fabrics and yarns. They lost my business because of this oversight. Will they lose sleep over it? No. Will I? No. But I will be taking my business elsewhere from now on.

Just off the needles, The Cynthia Landers

Chemocap75

After a brief hiatus due to tending to business matters, I'm back into knitting again. 

This was the first hat style to be named. You can read more about Ms. Landers on her hat style page. If you would like to pay tribute to a loved one who has passed, and at the same time make a tax-deductible donation to a good cause, read about ConnieCaps' In Memoriam program!

An impressive list

Here's some of the awesome items donated to sell to raise money for the ConnieCaps Fundraiser tomorrow (in no particular order):

A $150 Gift Certificate from Avalon Concierges
3 matted prints from Tom Schopper of Tom Schopper Photography
A $125 Gift Card from Damon Fecitt of Damon Photography
3 photographs from Tamelyn Feinstein of Tamelyn Feinstein Photography
A photograph from Jamelah Earle of Jamelah Earle Photography
A photograph from Esther Perez of Esther Perez Photography
A plush BuNnY MoNsTeRz from Keri Minard of *StarMunki
A $145 Gift Certificate for an Eye Exam from Baymeadows Vision Center
A Pink Ceramic Breast Cancer Awareness Ring from Brad Preuss of Kay Jewelers
An autographed copy of April Winchell's book "Regretsy"
An Amethyst & Sterling Silver pendant from Christine Gomez of Gem Prism
A Breast Cancer Throw from Jeri Millard of In The Pink
A Gift Certificate for one year of Pest Control service from Justin Neuschwander of Brandon Pest Control
A Gift Certificate for a K-9 Inspection from Justin Neuschwander of Brandon Pest Control
A hand-knit afghan from Melanie Carriere
4 Hand Knit Hat & Scarf sets from Rosemary Culotta
5 pieces of framed art from Debbie Gollhoffer of Sweet Magnolia's Custom Framing
Assorted hand-crafted jewelry from Elizabeth Greene
Assorted hand-crafted jewelry from Brianna Miller
Hand-crafted pottery from Jennifer Dale of Dog Island Pottery
Gift Certificates to La Pizzaria from Harley Waugerman
A Gift Basket from Anne Richie of BeautiControl
Assorted hand-crafted goods and Note Cards from Linda Blakely of Wine Diva Designs

Seriously...YOU PEOPLE ROCK!! Please come to the Fundraiser and show your support to thank these generous donors!

If I've missed anyone who's donated an item for the fundraiser, I humbly apologize! There are far too many to link in this post, but if you go to the Supporters section of the Links page of the ConnieCaps website, you'll see links to most of these wonderful people!

Thank you @AConcierges !

I'm getting things ready for our upcoming fundraiser Sunday evening and feeling overwhelmed. So I do what just about everyone else does. I tweet. Here's the play-by-play. Or tweet-by-tweet as it were.

@ConnieCaps: "have u ever had SO much to get done that u end up putting everything off til the last minute because you're so overwhelmed, then panic? Yeah"
@AConcierges: "We hear it all the time from our clients!"
@ConnieCaps: "ooohhh, just checked your profile. Would you like to donate a gift certificate to our fundraiser this Sunday?"
@AConcierges: "Tell me more about the fundraiser."
@ConnieCaps: "it's at Blue Bamboo this Sunday. Benefits ConnieCaps, who provide stylish, hand-crafted hats free of charge to cancer patients."
@AConcierges: "Oh wow! It would be our pleasure to do so."

Now I ask you...HOW COOL IS THAT?

And now I REALLY have to get back to preparing for the fundraiser ;-)

Just off the sewing machine, a hat yet to be named...

Again, same pattern as the previous two posts. The black and white hat will be referred to (until that style is named) the "Affirmations Hat". There are two identical panels with the words "Love, Joy, Hope, Faith, Determination, Health, Life, Strength, Trust, Peace, Confidence". Words, I think, are vital to a cancer patient's mental well being. I'm pretty pleased with the hat.

The second one is suitable for men or women. Very casual, lightweight and simple.

(download)