Get together...
Join our forums...
Fire your imagination...
Tell your friends...
Indulge yourself...
Log-in / Register
Take time out and find some inspiration
Be Fabulous meets… Charity Charmz
A CHARMING INSPIRATION
Charity Charmz is the brainchild of Claire Engeham, an entrepreneur who launched her first software marketing business at the age of 19. Thirteen years later, Claire chose to study Psychology and hypnotherapy, which saw her launch her second successful venture, New Business Mentoring and Coaching. But it is Charity Charmz, that has seen Claire package up all of her experience with her passions to create a successful eCommerce business that gives something back.
To launch a business with the objective of supporting UK charities is a very bold move, particularly mid-recession. Have you always embraced a corporate social responsibility ethic?
For as long as I can remember I have supported the British Heart Foundation, and I’ve done my fair share of 5K runs for multiple causes over the years. I didn’t start to get involved as a volunteer until I stopped the demanding work at my marketing consultancy; when for the first time, I had the time to dedicate to it. I was asked by a local deaf charity to help out with a celebrity golf day. I loved the work so much that I offered voluntary services to other charities; getting involved with fundraising events and organising a 10k race in aid of META.
So what was the catalyst for establishing a business with the sole aim of raising money?
The trigger was the death of my step-father, in January 2009. He was an amazing man who had suffered from heart disease for 35 years. He was a real fighter, he survived two major heart surgeries and died just before his 78th birthday – that is a testament to his determination and the amazing work of the staff at Harefield Hospital, because he underwent his first surgery in his forties and his second major operation at 76. His last surgery was extremely risky but it was a life or death decision: while he knew there was a high risk of dying if he underwent the procedure, it was certain that he’d die without it. It was a very frightening period but if he was scared he never showed it. He had absolute faith in the hospital staff and never doubted he would live through the surgery.
And he did, despite complications during surgery and weeks unconscious in intensive care, he lived to tell the tale in his usual way; with laughter and gratitude to Harefield Hospital staff. It took less than four months for him to put his head together with me, brainstorming money-raising tactics for the rehabilitation team.
Two years later, he died suddenly, and turned my world upside down. Initially I felt robbed but I reminded myself of his philosophy on life and how grateful he was to have reached such a great age despite adversity. Now, I actually feel lucky for the ‘extra’ time we had together, time we wouldn’t have had had it not been for the surgeons and staff at Harefield Hospital.
At that point, I began to wonder how I could ever repay the hospital for the valuable work the staff did every day, and also what I could do in memory of my wonderful Dad. I considered organising a run, planting trees or dedicating a park bench to his memory, but it needed to be something huge to mark his importance to me.
Why did you settle on charms?
I was browsing in a local jewellers and came across a charm bead shaped like a present and I thought it was perfect – I have always viewed my Dad as a gift and it was a way of keeping him with me all the time. Within about 30 seconds I was the proud owner of a new charm bracelet complete with present-shaped charm.
It wasn’t until I was watching Children In Need in November 2009 that I had that light bulb moment: the perfect solution to raise money for charities with the donors getting something beautiful, collectable, in return for their support. I just knew that bracelet charms designed with charity awareness colours or logos in mind would be a huge hit – more enduring and attractive than lapel pins, with a personal sentimental attachment that enabled someone to support whatever causes they were passionate about and, almost literally, wear their heart on their sleeve.
How did Charity Charmz start?
Until November last year, I had never designed a piece of jewellery in my life, but it was vital to me to create the very first design myself, in tribute to my Dad. The response to it was overwhelming. Obviously this was something so personal to me and the reaction from friends, family and hospital staff was so positive that I knew I’d done the right thing and my hunch had been right; there was a real market for this. A friend loved it and asked me if I’d design one in support of the Osteoporosis Society because his sister had recently been diagnosed and, like me, he believed that this would be a great way to raise awareness and funds for the charity – and Charity Charmz was born.
How has it grown since it was launched?
The past six months have been a whirlwind. We now have a range of Swarvoski stone beads which are along the theme of awareness ribbons and a range of silver ones that I have designed for other charities. We currently have more than 30 silver bead designs in production for various UK charities and the list of new ones to design grows daily. It has been a flyaway success and I am hopeful we’ll make a real difference for the charities we’re associated with.
This sounds pretty unique?
It is the only dedicated charity charm business of its kind. The vastly popular charm manufacturers do create special edition pieces with a charitable contribution but they tend to be a modification of an existing design with a 5% contribution being made to the cause. Charity Charmz creates patented, individual tailored pieces for each charity and gives 25% of the RRP to that organisation.
What are your long term aims?
I’d like to see everyone who wears charm bracelets adding to their existing bracelet with one or two charity charmz that they have chosen because of a sentimental connection- turning an existing bracelet into much more than a fashion accessory, raising awareness of their chosen causes and providing financial support for them to continue to carry on their work. In the next three years, I’d like to be in a position to be working with more than 100 charities and to have seen the business make a significant contribution to these causes. What I would like to see in the future is Charity Charmz in countries all around the world raising money for global charities.
Charity Charmz launched on April 15th, Claire’s step-father’s birthday.
Visit the site at www.charitycharmz.com.
Follow them on twitter @charitycharmz and become a fan on facebook.
Be Fabulous Members can enter the code: fabulous in the shopping cart and with their order they will receive a 10 per cent discount on their order. minimum spend required £21. Offer ends May 15th.
About the author
Name: Faith Brotherston
Email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Share |
Think you can inspire thought and discussion? If you've got an article which you would like to submit just contact us.