From Tyler

Growing up in small town America, I was taught the value of caring for your neighbor and giving back. Raised in a family business, after college I was given the opportunity to manage a line of our consumer goods. This experience was invaluable to me as I learned a lot of good lessons and hard lessons at the same time. Soon, I was appointed I President of the company, achieved incredible growth, was awarded multiple awards, garnered serious media coverage, was part of the top category performers. You know, money, success, perceived security – I was living my dream. I had the cars, country club memberships, vacations, social and industry status and even the famed “black card”.

However, in the midst of all this “glory” my heart was being transformed. I felt called to leave my family business and transition into something else. What that was, I didn’t know. But there was one thing I was sure of. As a Christian, my faith was calling me to step out in faith. Not only did I feel called to leave my job, I felt led to move to another town. And, unbeknownst to me my wife’s heart was being transformed at the same time. One day we shared what was in our hearts and learned that neither one of us wanted to let the other one down. Instead we were relieved, scared and encouraged that we were experiencing the same calling. Something bigger than both of us was happening. For a year we prayed about what was next. Through prayer we felt released from this previous chapter in our lives, free to move onto the next. During the year of prayer the idea for Project 7 was born. We didn’t know if it would work, in fact we still don’t know if it will, but we felt called out of obedience to make the step of faith and pursue it.

We had created a new approach to business. We would build a line of quality, everyday consumer goods products that would give back to seven areas of need. Project 7 would create an ongoing revenue stream for worthy non-profits and help raise awareness for these non profits and the issues they work to change. And with this new business model, Project 7 became a reality. We shipped our first product to Whole Foods in December 2008. Over the least two years, we have had some amazing “wins” – doors opening up for us that cannot be explained. We’ve also had doors slammed on us that have left us wondering if we’re going to make it. But, so far the victories have outweighed our losses and thanks to hard work and great retail partners, Project 7 products can be found in over 3,000 stores nationally.

I may have traded in monetary things, titles and social status, the hole that existed in my heart is being filled. This story is still being written and we can’t do it without you. Join us. Change the Score.

Tyler Merrick
Social Capitalist
Project 7