Community Outreach is a HUGE part of what we love to do! Whether it is through financial contributions, donations of product, or educational opportunities, I love getting out into the community to share my love of BOTH small business as well as painting.
Every year, Goddard and Sandburg Middle Schools invite me to be one of the many speakers that attend their annual Career Days.
There’s nothing quite as nauseating as standing in front of a room of 20-25 apathetic jr. high students. The first year I participated, I nearly backed out at the last minute and almost threw up no my way out the house. I was that nervous!
Needless to say, I didn’t do a very good job. I muscled through three periods of kids with their eyes glazed over, bored out of their mind.
LESSON LEARNED!
I vowed to make it better next time. And, yes…there would be a next time!
This year was my fourth year at Goddard and I had big plans. We were going to dive into the realm of decorative painting on a much larger piece of furniture than what I’ve brought with me before.
With a little prep work in advance, I brought a small desk with a simple base coat already painted. The color is about a 50/50 mix of Napoleonic Blue and Graphite…nearly identical to one of my favorite colors in Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint line, Artissimo.
Career Day is divided up into three groups with about 20+ kids in each group.
Group 1 was in charge of giving a Graphite wash on the framework of the desk and decopauging the drawers with our Cavallini paper!
Group 2 was responsible for the distressing. They hit the edges of the desk with 220 grit sandpaper and worked down the paper on the drawers so it looked a bit older and well worn.
Group 3 put on the finishing details with antiquing and clear wax.
While all of this is going on, I spent the 40 minute session talking about what it means to be a successful entrepreneur. I do more dialoguing with the kids than actual presenting, and we have a great time!
The question I always get; “how much will you sell that for?”
The answer: $245 and the profit goes straight back to Goddard to support their academic programs.
Check out the time-lapse video on you tube of the kids making this desk over. It’s proof that this is ALL their work!
