Ode to a Muse - Funky

Hello,
I had the privilege of seeing some "business information and "history" of a personal muse one day. It was too excellent of an example, not to share!!!

"Kudos"! - To Tamara Minns & her shop Rare Funk!!!

For all the EXCELLENCE we saw and still see shining in/ through Tamara Minns (& more), this is why we LOVE her!!! (*@^@*)
BEWARE!!!
It may be more AWESOME than you thought... lol (^^^)
=AS THE BUSINESS:~ Open since June 2008.
~ Represents over 100 Canadian artists, and over 300 across Canada (180 from Ontario) since opening.
~ To date, has given back to the artists and charities represented by Rare Funk over $80,000.
~ A socially responsible philanthropic retail consignment store that combines new, previously loved, and hand crafted items.
~ Has accepted 3 high school co-operative students, and has trained them in retail management for up to 1300 Hrs. These students are generally also interested in developing their artistic interests and are encouraged to create and sell their own work within the store.
~ Operated with the help of 5 part-time volunteers and hired casual help with the assistance of Lutherwood's Employment Assistance Program.
~ Participated in a work release program with the Grand Valley Institute for Women (partnered with Community Justice Initiatives). Women who are close to being released from the institution were accepted into the workplace for a 60 day term in order to tweak their skills and assist in their re-integration into the community.
~ Supports 6 not-for-profit organizations where 85% of sales (of hand made items) returns to each group:* KW Habilitation * Community Justice Initiatives * The Brain Injury Association
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* Waterloo-Wellington * TurtleHaven * La Tienda of Dominican Republic * Zikomo of Malawi Africa
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~ Has partnered with I.R.I.S. Entertainment Corporation to collaborate towards sustaining platforms for artists to sell music and establish themselves as independent musicians.
~ Featured TV broadcasts: * Province Wide * Rogers Daytime * Listen Up Canada * Final Round
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~ Featured in 15 print publications including Grand Magazine.
~ Tamara Minns was a volunteer advisory member of the Toronto One of A Kind Show in 2008.
~ Has received 5 awards in 4 years time:
* 2009 – Downtown Kitchener Member of the Year Award
* Rogers-Oktoberfest Woman of the Year – Entrepreneur Category
* Guelph-Wellington Businss Enterprise Centre – Outstanding Retailer of the Year award
* 2010 – Best Window Dislay
* 2011 – Waterloo Region's Top 40 Under 40
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~ Tamara was also awarded a Certificate of Service on behalf of the City of Kitchener in recognition of her term served as committee member & co-chair on the Downtown Advisory Committee.
~ Tamara was a member of the nominating committee for the Kitchener Waterloo Arts Awards.
2012 – Nominated for a KW Arts Award in the Open Category. Pending June 3, 2012.
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She also attended over 10 festivals and events year round within Southwestern Ontario, to increase visibility and mandate of the shop.
Some of these events include:
~ KW Multicultural Festival ~ Elmira Maple Syrup Festival ~ Kitchener Blues Festival
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~ Rare Funk frequently gets asked to host events at other locations, and allows for cross promotion between local businesses. Ex. City Hall, local cafes, or THE MUSEUM.
More information: www.rarefunk.ca
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+FOR THE ARTISTS/ ARTISANS:~ Fan base of over 1500 followers collectively between the mailing list and the Facebook group.
~ Weekly messaging, advertising, and promotions.
~ Online store launched in 2010, has increased sales and is on a steady incline.
~ Relocation to increase visibility, enlarge floor space, and enable an increase of artists and their products and activities. This increased sales by %50.
~ Customer base targets females 18-45, but is varied.
~ Consignors pay minimum member fee (based on how many categories represented) for 6 month term, with a renewable option.
~ Artists/ consignors determin retail price for each item, of which they receive a percentage.
~ Representation through attendance at festivals and events, that artists may not normally be able to afford on their own, or for those who may not have enough product to stand alone.
~ When hosting events at other locations, this provides an opportunity to showcase a further number of artists that may not already be represented at Rare Funk.
~ A hub for ticked sales for various community events. Ex. Theatre and concerts.
~ The "Funk Unplugged" Program features local musicians playing (& singing) acoustics in the shop once or twice a month. Musicians are invited to bring their Cds or single for sale within the store year round.
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Further interviews: ~ Youtube video 1 ~ Youtube video 2 ~ Youtube video 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPw8YRbmv6Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs_Cup17D0Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d86bSaIXW0A
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+IN THE SHOP: ~ Many are uniquely developed by using recycled materials, helping to lessen landfill waste. Also pre-loved & vintage items are often from many of the artists/ consignors.
~ Opportunities to showcase to a broader audience, earn secondary/ primary income, be a vendor, and learn.
~ Encourages individuality and imagination.
~ Unique funky/ alternative hand crafted few-of-a-kind quality items that include, but are not limited to:
Clothing, jewelry, accessories, home decor, & music Cds. Also made from various artisans, and mediums.
Including, but not limited to:
Wire work, beading, fabrics, glass, metal, leather, wood, fiber, paper, literature, drawing, painting, sculpture, film, music, performance, photography, & technology.
~ New, vintage, and re-invented items for all ages & personalities.
~ A diverse inventory that creates a sense of being the "only place to find it".
A virtual tour of the shop can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkP8zJ5Ajc0
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History:
Please sign this petition, in an attempt to save/ revive a VITAL arts & culture community shop - Rare Funk!
It is the only shop that offers what it does to our artists across Canada! (^^^)
http://www.petitiononlinecanada.com/petition/we-want-a-rare-funk-revival-can-we-save-it-in-time/985
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Thankz for reading!
Mortisha Manson/ C.E.S. (*@^@*)[060512105AMish C.E.S.]

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