Hurricane Katrina Inspires Giving Initiative
For home-based business owners Mike and Debbie Rabidoux, it was a storm that started it all. When they saw the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the couple was inspired to donate a portion of the holiday card sales from their promotional marketing business to benefit those whose lives were ripped apart by the storm.
“We received an overwhelmingly positive response,” says Mike Rabidoux. “We thought, why not start a business solely based on offering high quality greeting cards that also allows customers to select a charity that will benefit from their order?” In 2006, the home-based greeting card business Cards for Causes was born.
Through Cards for Causes, Mike and Debbie give 20% of the price of every card sold to the charity of the customer’s choice. At checkout, customers can select from more than 500 deserving non-profits of all types and sizes. What started a decade ago as the couple’s small way of giving back has since grown into a massive giving initiative; Cards for Causes is on track to surpass $1 million in charitable donations by 2016.
The Rabidouxs come from a long line of business expertise — Mike in the hotel management field and Debbie in nursing — but they say Cards for Causes is by far their biggest business achievement. “We’ve been able to make a difference in the lives of millions of people through the nearly 600 charitable organizations that have benefitted from our donations,” says Debbie Rabidoux.
The Rabidouxs promote their home-based business through email blasts, catalog mailings and Google search, but say a large portion of their sales come via word of mouth. Businesses of all sizes use Cards for Causes exclusively to send greeting cards to clients and employees, while a number of individuals and families also order from them.
Mike and Debbie say the best part of running a home-based business is the ability to maximize their time. “And our dog Buddy doesn’t have to be alone in the house all day,” Mike jokes.
Over the next 36 months, it’ll be full speed ahead for the growing business, which is on track to double its charitable impact in the coming years. To place an order and give back to the charity of your choice, visit CardsforCauses.com. HBM
