Live Inspired was kind of started by accident.... I never in a million years imagined this business would be what it is today, but I'm so thankful it is!
When I was in college, I had the honor of serving Butler University as the Co-President for an organization on campus that raises money and awareness for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. This cause was very near and dear to my heart, so I set out an ambitious goal of raising $5,000.
If you know me, you know that I love dreaming big. I never settle, and I always am shooting for the stars when it comes to goals, which is why a huge goal of $5,000 didn't really scare me. I knew, however, to accomplish such a big ask, I had to come up with a strategic plan to hit my goal. That's where Live Inspired began.
At the same time, I was OBSESSED with planners. I had used a lot of different brands in the past (it was, like, my favorite Christmas gift each year), but I recently fell in love with bullet journaling. If you don't know what bullet journaling is.... It's basically where you get a notebook that has a grid of dots all over the page and you create your planner on your own. I loved it! Bullet journaling allowed me to use my creativity to create something new each week, buuuuut it got pretty time consuming and I wanted a bullet journal that was already filled out where I could make it my own when planning. So, after friends had convinced me I should make my own planners to sell where I could donate the profits to suicide prevention, I was immediately sold.
Within 4 days of selling 2019 planners, I sold out of 200 planners.... It was unreal! I quickly was able to raise the $5,000 for AFSP. I hadn't really ever thought about what's next.... Until customers came knocking on my door wondering when the next planner was going to come out.
It still feels like a dream that so many people WANT to buy a product that I made. It's easy to get wrapped up in the every day tasks of running a business and sending out inventory, but when I get the chance to truly reflect on how far this business has come, it brings tears to my eyes. The planner is constantly evolving, and every single year I've been able to make improvements I'm proud of. And while seeing the business grow is cool in itself, the coolest part is the impact my business has on the mental health community.
As I'm sure you already know, a portion of EVERY purchase is donated directly to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. From the 2021 planner sales, we were able to donate $10,000 to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to help those affected by suicide!!! I still shake in my boots when I hear this because it seems INSANE that my small business can have this big of an impact on the world.
While raising money is great, it's also been cool to hear the personal impact these planners have had on people's lives. Here are just a few of some testaments from our customers...
"I feel as if Live Inspired has created some amazing content that really has put a smile on my face when I need it."
"I love you mission statement and as someone who as gone through mental health issues in the past I love an organization and business that donates to those causes."
"The way the planner [are designed] can help people stay on track when it feels difficult to get through days or times of depression. I know it has helped me immensely. Building small habits or just being able to check off one thing a day has helped me."
To all my past, present, and future Live Inspired supporters, thank you x10000 for believing in this business and it's mission to help others. We couldn't have made this impact without you!
XO,
Kenn
Comments (0)