Changing lives through education and housing…concepts that we often don’t think twice about. We take for granted a high school education. We can find ourselves being less than content with the place we call home. Oftentimes it takes a tragedy like the overflowing Mississippi to remind us just how precious our home is in its current condition. The Catherine McAuley Center (CMC) never needs to be reminded of the things that we take for granted. It is their daily mission to offer transitional housing and learning services to those in need. They have been helping people since 1989 and partnered with us shortly thereafter in 1993. They have raised over $100,000 in profits from pin sales that have helped support the center’s Transitional Housing for Women and Adult Basic Education programs. Like many of our customers, CMC loves the money that is raised from the pins, but is quick to note that the pins have greatly increased awareness of the Catherine McAuley Center which no price can be attached.
Catherine McAuley's Custom Pin
CMC’s success with Designs By Lucinda pins is the result of tapping into several outlets. Sure, they use the good ol’ standby- wear one and carry a handful in your purse so that you are ready to sell when someone comments. But they also utilize space in their lobby for all to see upon entering the building, a website store Catherine’s Comfortable Tea. They maximize their staff including board members and the executive director. CMC attends fundraising events, craft shows and farmers markets in order to target different customer bases. We asked for advice on not only where but how to sell the pins. They noted that it is critical to connect the pin to your organization. If you are a shelter, house pins are a must. Education groups should certainly have read pins in stock. They also pointed out that it is important to brand your organization with Lucinda pins. CMC ensures that their organizations mission/story is given to everyone that purchases a pin along with how they can be reached. They have printed stickers that they affix to the Lucinda card, as well as print their own cards. Another bit of advice is to switch things up. Customers love a new look. If you have promoted the same types of pins for a long period, the market will saturate. They experienced first hand how a new fresh look will increase the number of pins purchased by individuals who had purchased in the past.
We ended our interview with a feel good story. Here is what Andrea of CMC shared: “Perhaps the most memorable pin story occurred while selling pins and gifts at a women’s conference in 2010. A woman stopped at our table and immediately was drawn to the Fourth of July pins. She got tears in her eyes and proceeded to tell me how one son had shipped over to Afghanistan the day before and another son and son-in-law were shipping out together the next week. She wanted to buy a pin for each daughter-in-law and her daughter. We talked for quite some time and we were both crying by the end of her visit. Later in the afternoon she returned to purchase several more, one for herself and to give as gifts to others. I’m used to touching other people with the story of the Center and Lucinda. This time, I was the one touched.”
