Finding Your Voice

On Monday, Marie and I drove to NYC to attend the SAY (www.SAY.org) (Stuttering Association for The Young) Gala that benefits kids who stutter.  Having had firsthand experience as a kid who stuttered (and sometimes still do) I know how it feels to be made fun of, bullied and ostracized because I was “different.”

In fact, I was so scared to talk that even though I knew the answer in class, I refused to answer for fear of being laughed at.  It wasn’t until college that I became brave enough to speak out and find my voice.  Our support for this organization, since 2002, has been total and consistent.

When I tell clients about my involvement in this organization, I am often surprised that they willingly want to write a check to support it.  When I ask them why, I hear answers like, ‘Well Fred, I think it sounds like an organization that’s trying to help kids and I’d like to make a contribution;” “I am amazed that you were a stutterer and today you were our speaker, so SAY sounds like it can help other people as well.”

“Awesome” I say in my mind.

Many of the people who support SAY contribute because they have a child or loved one or they themselves stutter or were a stutterer.  This year, our honoree was Bill Withers, the singer and writer of such songs as “Lean on Me,” Aint No Sunshine” and “Use Me.”


I guess I relate to “Lean on Me” more than Bill’s other songs… which brings me to the point of this blog.

Our business needs to make a profit to be sustainable.  It could be argued that profiting is the only function of business.  However; businesses that are really growing have added one key element to their business model.

It’s called “meaning,” 

Companies like Zappos, Airbnb, Patagonia or Bombas that put meaning and community at the center of their business model are attracting more eyeballs and more dollars, (especially among the 82 million Millenniums out there) just like my clients who contribute to SAY.

Profits are always good, but adding “meaning” to your business can make it even more productive…and profitable

We have never had more power to take ownership of the present or to shape the future than we do today.  We can start by figuring out what we intend to make besides money.

You will be amazed at the results you will get from your current followers and from new people that will see the “meaning” you have attached to your business.

Here are some other charities I am involved with if you need a place to start:

  • www.bvl.org Bowling’s oldest charity that for more than 75 years has provided recreational therapy to disabled vets
  • www.humanesociety.org Animal rescue and care
  • www.bowery.org a local NYC homeless shelter.  (Surely there’s one in your town)
  • www.nationalpal.org The Police Athletic league exists to aid in the preventing of juvenile crime and violence by providing mentorship, civic/service, athletic, recreational, enrichment and educational opportunities
About Fred Kaplowitz
Marketing is in my DNA. I love to solve problems and meet challenges head on and I have successfully produced results for hundreds of clients. I love what I do and love helping to make my clients more successful and happier. I am a husband and father, consultant, a coach, a teacher, a motivator, a copy- writer, and a speaker. I look forward to working with anyone searching for a proven methodology out of mediocrity. May I assist you in taking your business to the next level. Please call me now @ 516 359 4874 to review your business goals and strategies.

2 Comments on Finding Your Voice

  1. We have been running events to raise money for BVL. We had a league where we donated part of the lineage, tournaments where we donated 1/2 of the lineage, donation can at the front counter and 50/50’s during the league and tournaments.

    Beside the good feeling it gives you as a person or business and the help it provides the charity, which in this case is veterans and active military. It is great PR within your local community.

    People will join your league or bowl in your tournament that normally would not. That is the immediate ROI but every post on Facebook or mention in the newspaper highlights your business as a place that cares.

    Our choice is BVL but like Fred said there are many charities looking to raise money. You and your customers and future customers will like that your businesses provided the help they need.

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