The Friends of Sarasota County Parks launched their entrepreneurial community enterprise, Shade Is Good, at the October 8th Fast Pitch session of No Margin No Mission, supported by The Patterson Foundation.

“For more than a dozen years, I have been a volunteer leader helping nonprofits try to increase their revenue,” said Terry Redman, President of Friends of Sarasota County Parks. “I was thrilled for The Friends to be invited to participate in an initiative that offered an innovative opportunity to strengthen our mission impact using an earned income strategy.

“With support from The Patterson Foundation and the No Margin, No Mission consultants, their approach guided us through the integral process of developing a plan for a business that, when launched in early 2016, will help fight skin cancer on two fronts: Initially, through the sale of highly rated sun-protective and hydration products under the business name Shade Is Good, and second, directing the net profits towards funding shade structures at Sarasota County athletic fields and recreation areas,” Redman added.

Here’s a video of the presentation of Shade is Good.

“The Shade Is Good product line includes hats, umbrellas with chair clips, and visors rated with SPF 45+, car shades, sip’n mist bottles and cooling towels.  The products will be available in early 2016  at a wide range of pop-up stores at community events, as part of athletic team fundraisers, from local medical professionals and online at a yet to be launched internet store.

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The Patterson Foundation will match donations dollar-for-dollar given through the end of 2015 up to 50 percent of the startup costs. The Friends will seek the balance from for-profit businesses, foundations and private individuals.

[clearboth]For additional information on Shade Is Good, go to www.foscp.org or email [clearboth]

foscpfightskincancer@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for sharing!