When an activist undertakes a Project as an individual and not backed by any group or Organization, there are a lot of things which must be done very differently.  It becomes a boot-strap labor and I have to listen to and be grateful for all the help I can get from folks.  If anything screws up, I can’t blame an Organization or group; I am the responsible one. Thus, I am taking what I think is a good idea and adding this FAQ page to the web site so any questions folks may have about the Project will get answers from the old horse’s mouth!  We all deserve to have answers. 

Please don’t be afraid to ask your questions and thank you in advance for them as we try to make this Project a positive aspect for our human Society as we try to look into the situations of folks living lies behind closet doors.   

The BLOG is available for comments regarding the various closets of life and aspects to be discussed.  http://theclosetlight.blogspot.com  

FAQs
1.  What can I do if I have an idea for a product or a comment on a product?
2.  What do the costs go to?

What can I do if I have an idea for a product or a comment on a product? 
Adriana wrote: Hey ace! I checked out your website and found it very interesting. I have a few comments...... congratulations on this great effort!!!!!  I think it's great that you care so much and have the initiative and dedication to start something like this. it is very much needed!

I loved, loved, loved your choice of artwork and checked out the artist's website and LOVED it, too! great job!!!!

with respect to the t-shirts, I would suggest that you add some "girlie shirts" (you know what I mean?) or something, maybe it's just me, but I personally just never wear this kind of regular t-shirt.... it would be nice to have something for all tastes.

ACE ANSWERS:  Adriana, the “girlie shirts” are on the way … just as soon as I can afford to stock them.  I started with the regular T-shirts because their cost was only $14 as compared to the $16 cost of women’s shirts.  They are in the plans and hopefully soon.  

I’ve always believed this would be a Project which would continue over the years because beautiful trees don’t grow tall overnight and kids don’t either … this Project is like my child.   

The initial T-shirts are only the beginning tools to be used from the Products Page to help you and everyone else create conversations about life’s closets.  I’ve actually designed 4 shirts and 3 are now available in what I call the “closet light series” which will also soon include the “girlie” shirts.  This old grandpa hasn’t forgotten his activist granddaughters!  These series shirts will be the shirt sales where $4.00 per shirt will also go to help the non-profit Organizations. 

What do the costs go to? 
Adriana wrote: I also think it would help if you made it more transparent how much you yourself pay to get these items, because they seem relatively expensive, and I personally would like to see most of my money going to the social causes (3 bucks out of 30 doesn't seem like very much.); or a comment indicating that you will spend the rest of the money that you get on expanding your closet light project for example. That would motivate me personally to get a shirt.

- hope I’m making sense to you, not trying to be offensive in any way.... just giving you feedback from an outsider's perspective.

ACE ANSWERS:  I’m glad you loved the artwork, Adriana.  I do too!  I hope my selection of his art will help introduce Avila to a larger audience because I think he will or should become one of tomorrow’s famous artists … he’s young and has many great years ahead for him.

Secondly, you mentioned “3” non-profits; it is 4 Organizations which will benefit.  They will benefit from the sales of the “closet light series” of regular and girlie T-shirts.  That is why I also added $4 on to the cost of the shirts … and if you think the shirts are expensive, you must also know that I was aghast at what the cost would be!!  I went through the proverbial wringer when I had to make choices of what the final product would be.   Like: I could have gone with shirts made in China, Mexico, etc., but when I got the samples, I didn’t like the quality at all; so I went with Made In America even though the wholesale cost difference was $14 as compared to $8 or $9 per shirt.  If I had gone with foreign-made shirts, the cost could have been $23.50 instead of $28.50.

Looking at the above figures, you might say Ol’ Ace is making $10.50 profit per shirt sale … so guess I could take a vacation, huh?  NOT!  I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that I shall be able to cover the costs involved.

As I’ve thought about answering this question, I have realized that if I were totally open with everything, it might also be a way to allow others involved in activist labors learn what they might face with a mountain of intimidation …. And, if one does not have that thing called PASSION, you should probably forget being an activist!

I don’t have the rental cost of an Office because it is simply my computer desk at home; but there is the phone bill and make sure you get FREE long distance because you’re going to need it.  Then there is the monthly computer DSL/internet charge with Frontier.  This is the beginning … and then one has the business license; I didn’t want the red tape one has with a 501 c3 non-profit “business”.  And, I’ll be expecting to hear from Uncle Sammy because he will want his share also. 

There is the stock storage & mailing room monthly cost, the Web server, the person who does the books to make sure all of this is done properly, the graphic designer, the Web Master who created the site and will watch over it as time goes on, folks who will be helping mail the T-shirts and products, and my god!  It seems to just go on and on … all this PLUS the cost of initial stock and screen charges.

And, I have no promotion/advertising costs figured in because I expect this to be a long-range Project and will have to depend upon word of mouth; it’s the slow but sure way. 

So, Adriana, I hope this answers your question.  And know I also think the cost of the T-shirt is high, but now you know why it is what it is.  And, I hope this will also help you appreciate the efforts of activists all over the world who try to make it a better world.