A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF…
Hello Dear Readers/Friends!
We have been spreading sunshine everyday now for nearly 2 years (oh, how time flies!). The project started as a reaction to everything negative that was around me– my business partner’s husband was laid off, I had my salary cut by nearly half (and my work load increased exponentially), every time I turned on the news it was all bad. I felt that I needed to do something thus The Bright Side Project was born. I was able to convince a fantastic writer and best friend to help me navigate this ship and she did so with glee for many moons.
What you don’t see behind the scenes is how much hard work and money is needed to make the Bright Side Project shine. Miss K had to move on and follow her dream and in entered Miss Lindsey to save the day. Miss Krista a young mom and fab writer has been volunteering her time to write all our weekend posts and we definitely have had a lot of welcome assistance from other kind folk (thanks Brooke + Cathe!)
Miss Lindsey recently lost her job and my job search has not amounted to much (I am thinking positive thoughts though!) We decided that we needed to do a few things differently around here at The BSP as we are a bit overwhelmed and can not justify the extra time and expense the project takes to run while we are trying to make sure we maintain a roof over our heads, food in the bellies of our family and to pursue our dreams. We have come up with the following plan:
For now we will be taking the project down to 3 prizes per week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Tuesday and Thursday we hope to introduce two new categories but we are still flushing those brilliant ideas out. Starting August 2, 2010, prizes will be M,W,F, we will announce winners on Thursdays. We will be introducing a monthly tip jar to cover the expense to run the project, feel free to pass on it, it’s optional but we need to do this if we want to keep the site running (and we really, really do). We are also going to give up SWOOP, it’s too much work and no one seems to be able to figure it out. We think giving a winner a week to claim their prize is plenty of time, if they can’t check in within the given 7 days that prize will be forfeited. We wish we could email winners but we can’t, the project takes up too much time as it is and we can’t add ‘chasing down someone for their prize’ on our overflowing to-do lists.
We hope you all will understand and will continue to visit us. Once we get settled in our new dream jobs (fingers crossed) perhaps we can re-visit the prior format but we do think with the new additions we have planned that you may not even miss the old BSP.
xx,
Miss B.
I wish both of you luck on the job searches. I understand as I lost my job and went back to school. I will graduate after the next semister. My husband lost his job this year and found another but the pay cut was huge. We are going to make it, just like you are. We need to think positive thoughts and uplift each other when we can. Thank you for all you do. Take care, god bless.
Your site has been a bright spot in my daily reading, and I’m happy to hear that it will still be around. Good luck finding that perfect balance in your life. Thank you.
Thank you for everything you do!
oh no, swoop’s going?! i didn’t even receive two out of the three prizes i won over a month ago.
thanks for the chance, though.
Y’all are wonderful for what you do and have done. Thank you so much for all your hard work! When needing references for a job I am certain all 600+ of us would be more than willing to put in a good word or two for you all. I hope you find all that you dream!
Just want to let you guys know that you brighten my day whenever I visit the site, and your hard work is always appreciated. I wish you the best on your job search and hope some sunshine comes your way! Thanks so much for all the time and work you put into brightening other people’s lives!
You ladies are amazing, and this project is amazing, so I do hope you continue with it in whatever format is possible for you! Even if you have to go down to once a week it is plenty enough sunshine for the world!!
Have a wonderful weekend,
xoxo
I hope everything gets better for you guys!
Good luck on your job searches. In terms of funding, have you considered having a BSP cafepress or zazzle store? You have some marvelous graphics, and you could put some cards or shirts for sale in a storefront and then not worry about it.; the company you go with takes a cut but handles all the logistics. I bet you could even get designers to donate designs for you!
Thank you for all love & dedication you put forth in this blog… just reading the blogs & looking at the pictures brightens my day!!! Best wishes on your hunt!!
Miss B.,
Although I’ve never won anything on The Bright Side Project, I want to thank you for all your efforts in spreading a little joy in our lives! This is really a fantastic website for us and for the providers of the prizes. You’ve featured some of my favorite indie brands (and Ben and Jerry’s), thus giving hardworking designers great exposure! Although you’ll be cutting down on the prizes, I’ll still be checking my inbox for those Bright Side Project emails!
Thanks,
Lucy
P.S. I’m sort of glad you got rid of the whole SWOOP thing…I never figured it out!
You really do all do an amazing job – Bright Side has certainly cheered up the drearier elements of my life and I tout your success and applaud your entrepreneurship at every opportunity to everyone I meet! Keep up the good work in whatever way you can, and best of luck with all the other elements in your lives.
Thank you all for a great site and for all of your hard work!
Ladies, thank you so much for all that you do! You can’t begin to imagine how much joy you bring to us readers on a daily basis. We will definitely miss the daily posts but can’t help but understand the predicament you are in. I wish there was a way to have the sponsors pay cash for some of your time and expenses, but I’m sure you’ve thought of all the options available… I’m just grateful that you’re not disappearing all together!
Thank you for what you do!!! :)
ladies, i wish you the best of successes in finding a little of the sunshine that you regularly give to us for your fine selves. i’ve been waiting for my opportunity to ask to sponsor a give away on your blog but i wonder if in the meantime you might consider switching to a members only format. i think that what you offer is worth a little cash per month from your readers. i would certainly do that.
yours,
p.
You bring me sunshine seven days a week! Even three prizes a week is so generous! Thank you so much! I always enjoy visiting the wonderful shops and reading the questions and responses! I’m a huge fan of the BSP! :) xo
i’m sad that SWOOP is gone because I just discovered it! good luck to you all on the job front. hope that you are able to bring it back to daily posts soon!
This site is incredibly generous and a loving gesture towards the world so I know you’ll get yours coming ten folds. Keep your chins up and hearts open to possibility! Thank you for all the kindness:)
The Bright Side Project is so wonderful, special, and unique – I wish it was as financially gratifying to you as it is in so many other ways, especially knowing the amount of time energy and love you all put into it! Perhaps you can ramp up your ad program or charge slightly more for ad space, and the idea above about selling t-shirts or other items is interesting! Best of luck going forward, and know that all of your efforts are very much appreciated.