Karen C. Brown, vice president of My Knockout, is answering the questions for today’s Small Business Snapshot.
What is the primary purpose of your business? Boxing gloves as a canvas for notes of support to anyone facing a daily battle. The gloves provide encouragement to those fighting cancer, diabetes, heart disease or any other physical, emotional or spiritual battle. The gloves are available in pink and red and come with a permanent marker and a “fighter” card which can either be standard or spiritual. As family and friends sign the gloves with inspirational and encouraging messages, they become a perpetual reminder of those who love and support them through their fight.
What is the business background of the owners? Sheree is an executive assistant for a large corporation in Nashville, Tenn. Karen is a registered diagnostic sonographer (ultrasound).
Why did you start this particular business? We are sisters who started this business because of what we went through with our mother. She was diagnosed with cancer in spring of 2004. When her cancer returned in January 2005, her doctor told her it would likely return with a vengeance, which it did. Sheree told her that she was really in for a fight and brought a pair of boxing gloves to the hospital. Everyone who visited her signed the gloves and wrote touching messages of hope and inspiration. The messages seemed to encourage our mother. We kept them hanging on her hospital bed while she was in the hospital and on her bedroom door when she returned home. Our mother never gave up her fight with cancer. In the end, the cancer was too much for her weak body and she lost the final round, but she was committed to having us provide the opportunity for others to have these gloves of encouragement.
What makes your business unique? The utilization of our gloves as a method of support and inspiration is unique. The status quo of sending cards and flowers is great, but flowers wilt and cards get stuffed in a drawer. These gloves remain an ever-present reminder of the support the “fighter” received during their battle. They look good too.
What do you enjoy most about your chosen profession? The opportunity to meet many people and affect those most needing support. Almost everyone is touched by a need for encouragement at some point in their life and we like to think that we have touched someone’s life in a special way with every pair of gloves we sell. We have received many wonderful letters from recipients of the gloves and from family and friends who have given the gloves.
What has been the biggest or most interesting challenge to overcome as a small business owner? Marketing our product to the general population. We have found the initial interest comes from gift shops (e.g. hospital gift shops) in most parts of the country. We have participated in trade shows, which gets awareness of our product line out to specific industries, yet we look forward to the day when My Knockout gloves are recognized by all.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? We also have T-shirts in two different styles and colors. Please visit our Web site or give us a call to begin making a difference in someone’s life today! A portion of all proceeds goes to the American Cancer Society for research.
THE FACTS
Business name: My Knockout Business age: 6 months Owners: Sheree C. Wooten, president, and Karen C. Brown, vice president How long have you owned it? 6 months Location: Rome Telephone: 706-766-4599 Fax: 706-235-4003 Web site: www.myknockout.com
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