How to start a business - 101. Twelve Baskets Cooperative Ministry

In my entire life, of considerable years, I never thought I would own a business.  I had dreamed of it, thought about it, but never really considered that it could actually happen.

And then about ten years ago, we three crazy ladies began attending a Bible study.  In the course of spending time together each week, we became aware that all three of us had a version of the same dream.  We talked about it, dreamed about it, and then one day we thought "Why not?"  "How hard

I told you we were crazy!

can this be?"  And so our adventure in partnership began. Over the years we have earned that title, "Three Crazy Ladies", and actually take a certain amount of pride in it.  Because we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."  We have tried many things, and sometimes failed, but more often than not, we have been wildly successful.

And thus was born Twelve Baskets Cooperative Ministry.  Our name being taken from the story in Luke 9:17.  Just like Jesus, we have "leftovers".

We had a few issues initially.  No money.  No building.  No inventory.  Minor complications.  Not women to let minor things get in our way, we charged full steam ahead.  We fully expected everyone to be in total support of our dream.  Not so.  Friends and family (husbands especially) thought we were nuts.  But when you feel the call of God to do something, it is hard to dissuade a person.  We talked and planned and considered . . . and were well aware of every possible reason why it would not work.  But we still pushed forward, prayed a lot, and relied on the guidance from God.

Our new sign.

Then one day, the ball began rolling.  And we have been running to catch it ever since!  A building opened up, along with a month's free rent, but it needed help.  Someone donated five gallons of paint that is truly hard to describe color wise.  While we appreciated the paint, the color left a lot to be desired.  What should come through the door next but more paint.  Taking a leap of faith, we poured all the colors together and mixed.  We ended up with a beautiful taupe color.  And so we painted.  The very last drop of unmatchable paint finished the job!  We had a building ready to go but no inventory.  Two of us came up with $100 each and answered an ad on Craig's list for clothing racks.  We ended up with a truck load of "stuff" to enable us to open a second hand store.  Someone gave us a cash register, steamer, iron and ironing board, shelving, you name it and it walked in the door.  We would no more than say "We could use …." and it would appear.  Donations began to roll in in the form of clothing, household items, linens, bedding, toys.  And one month later Twelve Baskets Cooperative ministry was up and running.

We had decided that this was to be a multi-faceted ministry, but we had no idea just how far reaching it would be.  Yes, we would give all of our profits back to the community, but we would also serve as a safe place where people could share their problems, be loved and cared for, and feel the presence of God in their life.  And it worked.  Twelve Baskets quickly became a fixture in our community. 

And then this walked through the door.

Just for us!

Operating only Fridays and Saturdays each week with a volunteer crew, it has expanded into the community by sponsoring an annual coat give-away, teacher support fund, scholarships, tithes to existing community endeavors, help to individuals, and much more.

At some point about two years into this business, we decided it would be advantageous to file for governmental non-profit status.  Again, we had advice from many sectors.  Some said we needed a lawyer, others a CPA, and others who thought it was impossible.  After much prayer, we printed off the ream of paper work and began to wade through all the questions.  To be honest, I don't think we had a clue when it came to some of the "government-ese".  But we made a stab at it and did the best we could since we didn't have the cash to hire professional help.  We were told it could take up to a year or more for approval.  A few weeks later, I got a phone call that I was missing two sheets of the form.  So I sent it off to them and within three months we were a legal non-profit ministry!  Another answered prayer.  We had seen so many answers that it is impossible to believe we were in this alone.

Now nearly nine years later we are still evolving.  The community has come out in force to support us with the donation of goods, the purchase of items, and volunteering to help keep us up and running.  We have developed a family around this ministry and it is wonderful to see all the lives that have been touched in one way or another.

Yes, it sounds like a fairy tale in some ways.  But it has not been easy.  While Twelve Baskets flourished, our personal lives took a turn that was unforeseen.  First, Carolyn's son suffered a broken neck from a fall that resulted in paralysis.  After months in the hospital, she became his primary care giver.  Heidi's husband was diagnosed with a debilitating disease from which he will not improve, and my husband developed cancer.  And while that was all daunting, God never let us lose sight of the fact that this business was not "ours", it was His.  And He would not fail to be there to provide and support us both in business and at home.

It has also been insightful to watch our volunteers evolve in the use of their gifts and talents.  Everyone begins work with us in the sorting room.  It ain't glamorous!   It is hard, often dirty work.  But as people work for us, we see a niche that seems to fit them and eventually we let them run with that.  Perhaps they like to organize, or decorate, or clean, or run the cash register.  We don't know, and I don't think our volunteers really know either, until they give it a try.  We never started knowing who would do what, but God has sorted and sifted our gifts and talents to make the operation run smoothly.  We have developed long lasting, personal relationships with our volunteers and our customers.  We know your names, your families, some of your problems, your struggles, and your joys.  We are blessed when you share your life with us.  We are blessed when we can share all that we have with you.

So this is the story of a dream, friendship, faith, and trust in the Lord.  Were there bumps in the road? You bet.  We did everything backward, against the rules, and often times the hard way.  But we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.  Not because the business itself is monetarily self-sustaining at the moment, but because of the lives we have touched, the people who have been helped, and the knowledge that God's presence is there for all.

We are not "just" a thrift store.  We minister to each person that walks in the door.  We listen, we help, we provide, we are just there for an afternoon chat.  Stop and visit us sometime.  We would love to get to know you!

But the dream was not yet complete.  Stay tuned for How to start a business - 201.

Just writin' on the River Road