It\u2019s fair to assume that many people have heard of the saying \u201cpay it forward.\u201d For example, a common \u201cpay it forward\u201d action is paying for a stranger\u2019s food in the drive-thru line. Although a slightly different concept, Wine & Design\u2019s philanthropic arm\u2014Paint It Forward\u2014gives each location the opportunity to pay it forward by connecting people in the communities in which it operates to charitable causes.<\/p>\n
Through private and public events, Wine & Design\u2019s Paint It Forward program gives participants the opportunity to raise money and awareness for a local or national organization of their choosing via their local Wine & Design location. The two-hour paint-and-sip party allows the event host to choose a painting from the Wine & Design gallery or to have one of the company\u2019s artists create a custom painting tailored to the cause on whose behalf the event is organized.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought Paint It Forward was a great opportunity, especially when Wine & Design was first starting off,\u201d said Sheri Hill, Franchise Development Lead at Wine & Design. \u201cIt was a new concept that put a new spin on getting people involved and being plugged into the community.There are so many different ways you can give back to the community and it\u2019s great when you
\ncan team up with local or larger organizations to raise money and awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paint It Forward has seen a lot of success as its philanthropic qualities continue to resonate with franchisees, studio guests and their surrounding communities. Perhaps the most notable example of the Paint It Forward division in action is through the brand\u2019s annual initiative with Project ALS. Each May, in line with ALS Awareness Month, Wine & Design does a system-wide
\nPaint It Forward fundraiser in partnership with the organization. This year, the brand\u2019s Wilmington, North Carolina studio raised the most money for the organization, with over $1,000 in donations.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust like all of our Paint It Forward hosts, Wine & Design\u2019s founder Harriet Mills has someone dear to her diagnosed with ALS,\u201d said Debbie Reynolds, Wine & Design Studio Owner in Wilmington, North Carolina. \u201cI believe it became a calling for her to make a difference through her company. She asked for our support, and we were more than happy to commit to her very
\ndeserving cause.\u201d<\/p>\n
This philanthropic arm of the brand\u2019s five-concept business model only further sealed the Wine & Design deal for Reynolds. \u201cWe are thrilled that we are the vehicle for many non-profit charities looking to raise money that will make a difference for their cause,\u201d said Reynolds. \u201cI personally would never be able to contribute to the extent I think we all wish we could, so we are grateful
\nthat Wine & Design has allowed us to give back to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Giving back to the community in a way that\u2019s relaxing and fun is the foundation from which Paint it Forward was built. \u201cWe feel such a sense of pride when a host has placed trust in us to facilitate connection among their guests while raising money for a charity that they are passionate about.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with Project ALS, Wine & Design partners with many other organizations and causes including the American Heart Association, Make a Wish Foundation, breast cancer awareness, local animal shelters, and hospitals and autism awareness, just to name a few. Reynolds notes
\nthat the company is always looking for new causes to support. With awareness as the main goal, Wine & Design franchisees make it a point to share Paint It Forward events in their weekly newsletters and social media posts. Additionally, each studio\u2019s artists are encouraged to share upcoming events with guests that are visiting the studio, which Reynolds believes has the biggest impact. \u201cWe also donate gift certificates to many of our local
\norganizations, where we always share information about our Paint It Forward division in hopes they will join us for a great evening with their group,\u201d she said.
\nUltimately, Paint It Forward has allowed Wine & Design franchisees to give back to their communities in a greater way than they would be able to on their own.
\n\u201cPaint It Forward has given us the opportunity to showcase how every one of us can make a difference in our community,\u201d said Reynolds. \u201cIt\u2019s as easy as pouring a glass of wine and painting
\nwith friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Start-up costs for a Wine & Design franchise range of $69,950 to $221,200, including a $25,000 franchise fee. For more information about franchising with Wine & Design, visit www.wineanddesign.com\/franchise<\/a><\/p>\n By: Taylor Karg<\/p>\n 1851 – No Limit Agency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s fair to assume that many people have heard of the saying \u201cpay it forward.\u201d For example, a common \u201cpay it forward\u201d action is paying for a stranger\u2019s food in the drive-thru line. Although a slightly different concept, Wine & Design\u2019s philanthropic arm\u2014Paint It Forward\u2014gives each location the opportunity to pay it forward by connecting … <\/p>\n