I’ve been teaching a donation based yoga class at the Union Project for the past three years and am happy to report that the class continues to grow! When I started the class, I invested in twelve rental mats and about twenty-five yoga blocks and have taken all of the necessary steps to keep them clean and in satisfactory condition. However, over the years the block supply has dwindled and the mats (despite regular washings) now have the permanent scent of sweaty gym socks. This brings me to my question: Would buying new mats & blocks out of my business fund count as new purchases for this project?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
~Stacey
you could buy recycled yoga mats and blocks! or, just not provide them -- encourage the students to bring their own :)
ReplyDelete-lauren
That's an interesting one...its kind of like me and my slip up with having to by tapes for my camera (which is kinda my biz)...but then there's this whole other element of hygiene involved. (On a side note, my friend Mike was freaking out at me the other day telling me it was totally disgusting to buy underwear from the thrift store and I told him that was NOT something I was going to do, but I needed to hold out til the end of the year to buy panties...)
ReplyDeleteI'd encourage you to look at what options there could be...maybe even buying them from a resale store like TJ Maxx or Marshalls...or Overstock.com or something. So at least that way, even if they are new, they are trying to sell them a second time when they couldn't sell them a first time.
-Court
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI look at this as more of a business expense - not a personal expense. My yoga classes furnish matts, blocks and straps and I appreciate it - but one time I got a stinky matt and it put a damper on that class for me. I will probably buy a matt for myself soon. Are there places where you can purchase some of these items that contribute a portion of their sales to causes? That might make you feel better!
Julie
Ask students at AY if they have old ones. I actually have an old one in the Lost & Found at South Side you can have.
ReplyDeleteOr they can donate and get a write-off. But honestly, I think this is a necessity.
ReplyDeleteI think you could buy everything you need for a period of time when you have a pocketful of funds. But you could also make anything out of recycled materials, too. Some people invest in old things these days and create something new. Michael Geffrard is one of the best examples of people in the business world. He has brought his knowledge and experience into another position and established his own company in New York, as the CEO. They help business owners by providing them with funds and other assistance, as well as giving back to the community. I think your business has a huge potential, too. I wish you all the luck!
ReplyDelete