By John Gifford
Publisher & Editor
Kim McClaran is a serial entrepreneur — mentor to business start-ups, editor of several info-marketing newsletters, and a broker between home-owners who have suffered ice and wind damage and insurance companies.
She is always on the prowl for new ways to make money. The twist in this instance is that she is putting her entrepreneurial skills to work raising money for local charitable organizations.
Kim McClaran’s idea started with her brother Kenneth saying , “I want you to see this.” It turned out that what Kenneth wanted her to see was a shiny red fire truck that had served the community of Pendleton, but was now for sale. It was in excellent condition and Kim was immediately thinking of some way to use it to generate profit.
She was able to buy it for a reasonable price and then her thoughts turned to how it might help the Mooresville area community. She conceived of the fire truck as a marketing tool that could be used by businesses to promote their openings, special customer events, or just to call attention to the company. Businesses can rent out the fire truck for their event, and their rental fee goes to supporting children’s related charities and other worthy community activities. The Fire Truck was used to put out fires — Now it will be used to start a marketing fire for companies and organizations.
The Shiny Red Fire Truck Foundation will raise charitable funding for among other groups:
- children’s organizations in the community
- families in dire straits
- re-training individuals by supporting vocational scholarships
Kim is looking for:
- Companies that want to utilize the fire truck for marketing purposes and who will pay for those services
- Volunteers to help
- Sponsors – companies that want to be Charter Members of the Shiny Red Fire Truck Foundation
- Those organizations that would like to partner with safety in the home programs, as well as other educational programs
Examples of those who should inquire:
- A flower shop that wants to draw attention to a sale
- Computer Training Company that would be willing to donate one or more scholarshops for re-training of individuals
- Charitable Organizations serving children
- Organizations focusing on retraining of individuals
- Other help-based organizations
Besides fees generated from use of the Fire Truck for marketing and the related marketing outreach, other revenue streams may include sale of toys (small version of Shiny Red Fire Truck) and advertising specialties (Shiny Red Fire Truck-related items).
The reaction so far to the Fire Truck is all positive, including enthusiasm from companies like Walmart and Fifth Third Bank for potential partnering.
Kim says that the Shiny Red Fire Truck is now parked on a farm near Mooresville. Whenever people have seen the fire truck, they tend to go into child-mode—back in time when all was possible. Kim believes that the fun and excitement elicited by the fire truck can help businesses get some valuable attention. The Fire Truck will be available for events in the greater Indianapolis area.
Also inquire if you would like to include the truck with your organization’s car wash.
For more information about the Shiny Red Fire Truck, call (317) 534-2431 and ask for Kim or email her at info@ShinyRedFireTruck.com
