“Why did you become a fundraiser?” A question I get asked quite a bit. There is actually quite a bit of story behind it. Would you like to hear it? Here it goes! (said like Calhoun Tubbs – character on In Living Color.) Maybe I’m dating myself by saying that…
Anyhoo, I worked for a fitness club for almost a whole decade from the time I was 17 to 27. I started as a fitness instructor and moved my way up the ranks to Director of Sales and Promotion. It was an awesome job and I loved the competition behind the it all. I went to each location and trained staff on sales techniques; I would call the different clubs at the end of the night and get their daily revenue totals; I would then re-strategize the sales techniques to reflect the trends in their sales. It was fast-paced, fun, and super challenging.
Then I became a mom and my whole world changed. I wanted to make a difference in the community instead of working to put more money in an already really rich person’s wallet. The ‘profit’ world just wasn’t cutting it for me for me anymore. This is when I decided to change careers. I played around with the idea of being an educator for awhile, but that was short-lived. I then stumbled into fundraising and loved it!
I was able to use the sales and promotional knowledge that I had gained, but this time for sake the community, not a business owner. The challenge was the same, but instead of revenue numbers for more commission, I was building revenue to purchase something for the poor and marginalized. I was using my budget to invest in ideas and products to truly make a difference in someone else’s life. Not only that, but I was helping people donate money to a greater cause and not to buying the next Lamborghini for their garage. (I can’t even begin to tell you how many people’s homes I have entered as a fundraiser and the FIRST thing they want to show me is their garage full of exotic cars. Pretty incredible actually).
I’m helping the community by working in a non-profit. Not only that, I’m helping others change the community. Together we are making the future brighter for the next generation, our own children included. It’s a great feeling actually! I encourage everyone to volunteer somewhere and try to make a difference in someone’s life, especially for someone that can’t ever repay you.
notforprofiteering 