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All New American

Day 10: Nonprofit Marketing

Kimberly Reddington · November 17, 2018 · Leave a Comment

This past week I was invited to speak on a business panel at Central Connecticut State University. The International Association of Business Communicators held a discussion about nonprofit and local businesses in the non corporate environment.

What is the IABC? The International Association of Business Communicators is a “global network of communication professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. Established in 1970, IABC serves more members in 80 countries with more than 100 chapters.”

What I love most about events like these are that every participant, whether on the panel or in the audience, walks out learning something new.

My favorite part…a toss up. I had two favorite parts:

  • Learning how other nonprofits go about recruiting their volunteers
  • Confirming the fact that most nonprofit founders and employees are used to wearing many hats (I can certainly attest with my nonprofit, All New American)

A special thank you to Connor Delany, Jamie Bonito, Lauren Escott and the International Association of Business Communicators for having me! 

Danbury nonprofit seeks to help American artisan small businesses

Kimberly Reddington · August 13, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Republished from The News-Times

Thank you to Chris Bosak of The News-Times for this coverage of our nonprofit All New American – he told our story beautifully and I am ever so grateful for him spreading our word.

Made in America is not only a preference, but a necessity for a new local nonprofit organization.

All New American creates awareness and provides funding to small businesses through website exposure and grants. It specifically targets small businesses in the U.S. that handcraft artisan goods or foods. The products, of course, must be made in the U.S.

“In the last 50 years, there’s been such an assumption that everything comes from overseas,” Elizabeth Barek, co-founder of Danbury-based All New American, said. “But we are a country of builders and makers and inventors. A lot is made here and people are starting to recognize that. There’s an awareness that we do make great things. Quality is quality. Quality lasts. Junk doesn’t.”

All New American, through its website www.allnewamerican.org, highlights U.S.-made products by displaying photos and in-depth descriptions of the businesses. It has a featured business of the week, which gets prime real estate on the site’s home page.

The 501(c)3 nonprofit also provides funding to small businesses, often to cover the vendor costs to trade shows and pop-up shows. It also provides grants for equipment purchases.

The website features about 1,600 businesses, including 22 from Connecticut. The businesses range from little-known startups to nationally known brands such as Yeti. Products are not sold through the website, but links are provided to the individual sites.

“The website evolved into a nonprofit and I like where we are because we are in a position to help startups,” Barek said. “The website brings together all the amazing American craftsmen and makers, whether they are just starting or have been around for 100 years.”

Making a jump

Although their clients come from all over the country, the organization recently helped a local company, Luke’s Toy Factory, by covering the vendor fees for the American Field in Boston. American Field is one of the country’s largest pop-up markets for U.S.-made products.

Jim Barber, co-owner of Luke’s Toy Factory in Danbury, said the fair provided a boost for the small manufacturer of toys by increasing sales and exposure to customers and buyers.

“I think what they are doing is great,” Barber said. “They have been supporters of ours since the first day we started our Kickstarter campaign. That show was terrific for us to get into other markets. They’ve been very helpful.”

Barber is particularly fond of All New American because they are a local organization that asks little in return for their services.

“There are other places like that but they are always trying to make money off of you,” he said. “All New American really cares about made in America and putting Americans to work.”

Jim Barber and his son Luke make toys for 3- to 5-year-olds out of a small manufacturing facility near downtown Danbury. It recently started exporting toys to Europe.

The entry fee for American Field is between $800 and $1,200.

“We help small business around the country, but it’s really cool when we can help out the local businesses,” Kim Reddington, co-founder of All New American, said.

Other Connecticut companies on the site include: 3Dux/Design, from Bridgeport; Amy Kahn Russell, of Ridgefield; Churncraft, of New Canaan; Dunes and Duchess, of Danbury; Griffin Lee Artisans, of Stamford; Noteworthy Chocolates, of Bethel; Paul Shampine, of Newtown; and TidePieces, of Westport.

Last fall, All New American held its first fundraiser, an artisan fest at The Makery Coworking space in New Milford.

“It’s important to see and meet the people behind the brands,” Reddington said. “There’s a power to telling the story behind the brands.”

A legacy organization

Barek started All New American to honor the memory of her brother, Frank Weeden. He founded in 1994 the high-end designer candle company Ana Candles, which rose to prominence from its beginnings in Trenton, N.J. After designing the candles, he enlisted the help of Barek to bring the products to market.

The company sold $100,000 worth of candles during the four-day New York International Gift Show in 1996, Barek said. The candle business boomed until the recession hit in 2008, she said.

Weeden died at age 53 in 2013 from pancreatic cancer and the family sold the business. Weeden was also a former mayoral candidate and civic leader in Trenton.

“(All New American) started as a legacy website to do something to celebrate what he was,” Barek said. “My brother was an artist, believed in made in America, and was a community leader. All New American encompasses all of that. Many of the companies are community oriented.”

Moving forward

Barek has a professional background in product development and wholesale. Reddington is the social media and website design guru.

“I’ve always helped small businesses grow,” Reddington said. “That’s how our passions are aligned.”

Until this year, All New American has been a self-funded organization. The owners are now looking to raise funds through events and grant writing.

Barek sees the potential for the organization to focus on two or three small businesses and help in a more meaningful way. The focus of the nonprofit, however, will always be on American-made artisan products, she said.

“The emphasis is on American small business because that’s the heart of our economy and their hearts are local,” she said.

The writer may be reached at cbosak@hearstmediact.com; 203-731-3338

The American Field Experience

Kimberly Reddington · September 23, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Republished from All New American

The American Field experience is one I can’t quite put into words. It’s like walking into Disney World. A Disney World exclusively for creative, passionate, inspired adults who know they were placed here on earth to put their own ding on the universe. That is the most suitable way I can describe how it feels to step into an American Field event. For those of you who don’t already know, American Field is “a pop up exhibition and market featuring the best of American Made goods and the people who make them. It’s not a trade show, it’s a celebration of trade.” This past weekend team All New American visited the first of four shows for 2015 out in Boston at the Innovation and Design Building.

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American Field Boston at the Innovation and Design Building

The excitement begins to creep up your spine the second you arrive. You hop into an industrial freight elevator jam packed with 20 people who are just as enthusiastic to attend the event as you are. Whether it be a fellow maker, or someone who genuinely appreciates the tale behind a finished product. The freight elevator doors open. Lights hanging from the ceiling. Smiles beaming. Energy you can’t help but absorb. Magic.

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Patrick Clarke & Haley Earls of Cape Clasp

Mark Bollman, founder of American Field, surely hit the nail on the head when creating this American Made pop up market. Finally a place where a group of like-minded, soul driven people can gather in one place to tell their own stories and showcase their own goods, their pride and joy. The public now has the opportunity to physically touch these American Made products first hand, and the ability to speak with the makers who have put their heart into their product.

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Throne Watches

I had the pleasure of seeing Patrick and Haley of Cape Clasp, friends I made last year at the Brooklyn American Field show. Haley made me a custom whale bracelet while I racked Patrick’s brain about all the epic Cape Clasp contests and giveaways he hosts. I got to finally meet Peter from Montauk Tackle, someone I have known through our maker stories, but had yet to meet in person. Peter and his friend Chris from Boston dropped in to visit all the makers. In the next aisle I got to observe Throne making their eye catching watches that I have been drooling over on Instagram. It’s just a whole new ballgame meeting the real life people behind these astounding creations, made right here in the U S of A.

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Peter Mormino & Christopher Casey

I encourage you all to attend an American Field event if you have the opportunity. Passion is contagious, and the vendors and attendees will have you leaving the event with more American spirit than you will know what to do with, and camaraderie that is worth more than money can buy.

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Michael Shaker & Kimberly Reddington

I would like to thank Mark Bollman and his team for all you have done to make this pop up become a reality. Your hard work and dedication has provided an unforgettable experience for American made makers, doers and enthusiasts.

Team All New American is more than pumped for our first American Field booth in Brooklyn November 21-22. We hope to see you there!

For more information on the upcoming American Field events click here.

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American Field Team: Steven Oranges, Mike Stone, Jason Kaplan, Mark Bollman

ALLNEWA ppreciation

Kimberly Reddington · July 5, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Since joining forces with Team ALLNEWA (All New American) this past year, I have learned to appreciate our American flag even more than ever before.

Now, when I see our beautiful flag, I not only think of all those individuals who have graciously helped give us freedom in America, but I now also think of the individuals I have had the opportunity to meet this past year – East Coast to West Coast. Such a positive, motivating, passionate assortment of makers and doers. Our freedom grants us a place where we can make what we yearn to make, and create what we passionately desire to create. The All New American community acts on that.

I invite you to appreciate our flag even more than you already do and check out some amazing makers and doers here in America, our beautiful country. The good stuff.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July weekend with family and friends, and expect more frequent posts from me since I have been reminded on this day that we need to create. 🙂

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