"Pink For A Purpose" Fun Surprise Sweepstakes!

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October 2009

Tomboy Tools Canada is now in a charitable partnership with Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada. To raise awareness, Tomboy Tools has a very special promotion for our hostesses in October 2009.

It is easy to participate. Book a Tool Party with Karen to occur on one of the 4 Sweepstakes dates in October. She'll register your party with head office in Winnipeg.

A draw will be held the night of the party and one of the registered hostesses will receive a phone call during her party from Tomboy Tools Canada President, Lori Mitchell, with a very special fun surprise gift!

As an added bonus, a donation will be made to Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada equal to 10% of your total party order.

Even your Consultant will receive a fun surprise too!

Don't wait! Karen can only do 2 parties MAX. on these dates.

Here are the Pink for a Purpose Party dates:

• Tues., October 6, 2009 Taken!
  
• Thurs., October 22, 2009
• Tues., October 27, 2009

Have some fun and we all win! Contact Karen today to book YOUR Pink for a Purpose party!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

*much head shaking and scratching*

I might be crazy. I agreed to do an 'on-site build' at a hugely popular women's event. Hundreds of ladies come to mingle, make connections, do business pitches, show their talent (there'll be a production casting call), hunt for new alliances, and more....

And I will be inviting visitors to try my Tomboy Tools while helping build (drumroll please) a picnic table for Ottawa's Habitat for Humanity.

I have no problem carrying all the lumber in, and the hardware, and teaching others how to use my tools and assemble something...

... but I'll be doing this while promoting my business, booking Tool Parties, answering business questions from potential new Consultants, and collecting visitor's info.

Interestingly, as I was writing that last bit, it occurred to me that I should really simplify things as much as possible and avoid any attempts to perform like a Chinese contortionist while juggling running saws.

Solutions:
a) A ballot and drop-box so visitors can tell me what info they want and how I can reach them.

b) A Free Shipping gift certificate that can only be activated by contacting me, and can only redeemable when they host a Tool Party.

Nice. Now to find a box ...

Get 'em while they're hot: hands-on demos

Whew, the room was hot. Stuffy. And whenever we had the door to our meetup room propped open for a meager draft of fresh air, our discussions and the hands-on demo was almost drowned in noise from the restaurant/pub.

This was our 2nd meetup event at a local establishment on Bank Street. An unfortunate situation, because the 1st meeting had been much better in the meeting room next to it. So I'm looking for a new location. That's ok - I hadn't planned on making any particular location permanent, and as soon as the members become more comfortable with members and what we're doing, I hope more of them will offer themselves as hostesses.

Ignoring the temperature, the food and drinks were terrific! And so was the conversation which I'd advertised to be the "Job Jar" or yearly maintenance & repairs to keep your home in respectable condition, and your hard-earned money where it should be. Members hit it off quickly and offered their stories & experience along with mine. We also flipped through some great reference books I'd collected and reviewed the handout I gave out.

And then I set up my tools, materials/supplies, and simple practice board for the hands-on Caulking demo. Everyone tried their hand at it, and performed very well. Great job ladies!!!

We had lots of laughs, learned some new tips and techniques, and decided that our next meetup will cover drippy taps and running toilets.

In the Ottawa, ON (Canada) area and want to join us? Follow this link to sign up for free: Ottawa Women with Tools (at meetup.com).

Hope to see you soon!
Karen

CBC Radio "Ottawa Morning" Interview

Here's what you'll find on the CBC Radio Ottawa Blog:

Stop flushing money down the drain!

Spending time with Karen Donaldson was completely eye-opening. Just like the little engine that could...she showed me that I CAN do home improvements on my own to save some money. As a sidenote -- I also now know what to buy people for a housewarming gift. The Tomboy Tool Travelling kit is perfect! If you decide to throw a Tomboy Tool party I hope you'll get in touch and let me know how it turns out. They sound like fun!

Click here to listen to the show.