Make A Sale, Save A Tail Project

The Big Give Continues- Maria, Sophia and A Puppy’s Voice.

beautyaroundtown — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:22:34 +0000

In continuing with our goal of distributing the Make A Sale, Save A Tail profits this year we met up with A Puppy’s Voice Rescue on a very cold night to meet these little guys and gals headed for their foster home.

“A Puppy’s Voice is a non-profit organization which rescues homeless and abandoned dogs and puppies from high kill shelters. With the help of our committed volunteers, foster homes, donators and local veterinarian we are able to rescue hundreds of dogs each year, provide them with loving foster care temporary families and find them forever homes. We also serve as a resource to our community by providing the importance of spay/neuter, responsible pet ownership, training and good nutrition.”

Maria and Sophia have gotten to spend time with puppies from this group before as our neighbor, Michelle, is one of the very dedicated foster moms. We were happy to donate funds to ultimately help these puppies find homes. This particular night, the puppies spent only one night in foster care and then headed to an adoption event in Arvada the next morning where they all found forever homes.

Maria and Sophia Meet Some of the Cats at Almost Home Adoptions.

beautyaroundtown — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 00:20:38 +0000

Today was our second opportunity to deliver some much needed items to some very deserving animals and their care-takers. We gathered items from the wish list and headed over to see all the wonderful cats that will use them. 50-60 cats can be daunting for someone who is allergic to cats, but it is all worth it. Even if I sneezed my way through.

Almost Home Adoptions is a very nice and well kept facility. Great Job! There were at least 5 families there looking to adopt while we were there!

Almost Home Adoptions for rescued cats is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) rescue and adoption organization. Founder and Director Kathleen Cline has always had a passion for helping animals in need. She began helping cats several years ago by volunteering. Devastated and saddened by the vast differences in the care of the animals at the local shelters and one horribly ran rescue group, she decided to embark on a crucial need, thus creating “Almost Home Adoptions for rescued cats.”

Because of her strong desire and with the help of her daughter Tanessa, Dr. Lisa Carle, DVM, and many marvelous volunteers, over 4,000 lives have been helped since inception November 2005. We provide excellent care and love to all the kitties received.

The adoption center is cage-free which helps the kitties’ overall physical and mental health. The cats in our care are primarily strays and frequently have been injured or abused. We give them tender loving care along with any additional medical treatment necessary. We spend an average of $300 on every kitty that enters the adoption center. Every cat that finds its way to Almost Home Adoptions is spayed or neutered, tested for FeLV/FIV, vaccinated, and dewormed prior to finding a forever home.

Without our group of dedicated volunteers Almost Home Adoptions would not exist.

The Big Give is Underway. Maria and Sophia Help Animals in Need.

beautyaroundtown — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:15:22 +0000

This is the best part about raising funds for animals…Giving the money to those who need it. Meet Fifi the pug, a patient at the Animal Urgent Care of Arvada. She is just one of the animal patients who will benefit from the Make A Sale, Save A Tail Donation to The Carnes Fund- A fund which provides financial assistance for emergency vet care.

Sometimes life is just full circle. Rocky and Rosie, both of our pugs who have passed on to animal heaven, did so at this amazing care clinic. The staff is so caring and positive even though their shifts are only when other clinics are closed-evenings, weekends and holidays- and they see some sad situations. Office Manager, Kate Rittler, who we met when we dropped off our donation, told us that there are just as many great stories-like the c-section for 11 puppies that they did last week!

If you are in need of Urgent Care in the Arvada area, we cannot recommend this clinic enough. Thank you to everyone who works there and made our sad days a little bit better.

“The mission of Animal Urgent Care is to provide excellent, affordable and accessible emergency care services for the pets of our local community. Emergency care is difficult due to the hours, expense, and stressful environment. We strive to keep compassion, cost-consciousness, and excellent service at the forefront of each and every case we see. We are proud of our staff and hospital. We put forth every effort to provide you and your pet comfortable and clean surroundings. We have the most up-to-date equipment in an historic yet newly remodeled facility. We have decades of emergency and critical care experience amongst our staff and regularly exceed continuing education standards. We are proud to have achieved American Animal Hospital Association certification in 2012.

Make A Sale, Save A Tail in the Denver Post

beautyaroundtown — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 12:21:40 +0000

Pet Project: Colorado girls transform grief over dog into nonprofit

POSTED: 12/22/2012 12:01:00 AM MST

By John Davidson
Special to The Denver Post

Maria, right, and Sophia France play with a litter of puppies that are up for adoption. After the sisters’ ill dog had to be euthanized, the two decided to take action to help other dogs who might face euthanasia because of homelessness. They now sell lotions to raise money for a network of animal shelters.(Kathryn Scott Osler, The Denver Post)

In fall 2010, the approaching holidays didn’t look bright to the France family of Westminster.

Michael and Melissa and their two daughters, Maria, 6, and Sophia, 4, loved Christmas. But this time, a member of the family would be missing: Rocky, a 12-year-old pug, had to be euthanized after a lingering illness. The girls were devastated.

At the emergency clinic where Rocky died, Melissa France knew it was time for a heart-to-heart with the girls. She told them of the many other pets that had to be euthanized — not because they’re old or sick, but solely for lack of a home.

It’s a tricky, even pivotal conversation. The loss of a pet can stay with a person into adulthood, making it difficult to adopt an animal again, according to a recent study by the ASPCA.

The France girls saw a way to channel their grief.

“Maria said we had to do something to help these animals,” Melissa said. “Sophia agreed.”

They didn’t have to look far to figure out how. Michael France is CEO ofColorado Quality Products,a company that makes personal-care products. Melissa writes for skin-care trade publications. The girls decided to sell specially made Christmas lotions and donate the proceeds to shelters and groups that support them.

They called their project“Make A Sale, Save a Tail.”

Melissa told Maria she needed a business plan, so Maria penned a hand-written, one-page document.

Michael and Melissa hit the phones, using their contacts to work out the details. There would be shea-butter body creams and soaps in four holiday scents: Christmas Apple, Sugar Cookie, Cinnamon Sticks and Christmas Tree. They would sell the lotions online (through etsy.com); at mariasophia through retail vendors (listed at mariasophiaproject.wordpress.com); and face to face — and donate all their profits to animal-welfare organizations.

Selling wasn’t hard, Maria said. “Sophia and I practiced on each other.”

The major recipient has beenShelter-Me Photography,a nonprofit that takes high-quality pictures of pets up for adoption. Shelter-Me’s work has increased traffic — and consequently adoption rates — at every organization it services.

Nanette Martin, Shelter-Me’s executive director, is grateful for the help. “These two little girls and their parents are very special,” she said.

The girls also donated proceeds toBig Dogs-Huge Paws, Safe Harbor andAngels with Pawsand are doing so again this year. The list of organizations and the product line, continue to grow.

The project raised $5,000 total over its first two years, and the France family hopes to top that this year. They also started the MariaSophia Foundation, which has applied for nonprofit status.

Meanwhile, the girls have become celebrities at their Arvada elementary school, Excel Academy Charter School, where Maria draws a comic strip for the school newspaper, “The Dolphin Squeak.”

If this all seems like a lot for the France family to handle, it is. But Melissa France, for one, doesn’t mind.

“This is a family affair,” Melissa answered. “It’s busy, but it has brought us together. It’s good to spend weekends together.” This year, the family lost its second pug, Rocky’s litter sister Rosie.

But on a recent Saturday afternoon, Maria and Sophia, now 8 and 6, romped in the backyard of a neighbor, Michelle Jansick, who was fostering seven Labrador/collie pups. A chilly breeze blew in off nearby Standley Lake, but that didn’t stop the girls from enjoying the afternoon.

Members of Jansick’s rescue group,A Puppy’s Voice,assemble in the parking lot of a local Subway every Saturday morning to pick up the unwanted dogs they will foster. The organization is saving to build a permanent location, and members hope to get on the list for donations from Make a Sale/Save a Tail.

Says Jansick of Maria and Sophia: “They’re my heroes.”

Contact “Make a Sale, Save a Tail” at fundraising4animals@gmail.com

Make A Sale, Save A Tail in the News!

beautyaroundtown — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:34:17 +0000

We are pleased that two publications recently posted articles featuring our products.

Give Gifts That Give Back. 5 Beauty Products to Add to Your List.

4. The “Make A Sale, Save A Tail” Project

Product: Shea Butter Body Creams in Holiday Scents, $8.50 each

“Located right here in the Denver metro area, this project was started by two sisters, currently 6 and 8 years old, with a mission to help rescue shelther animals. The two began the “Make A Sale, Save A Tail” Project in 2010 after the loss of their pug, Rocky, and give 100% of their profits to animal welfare organizations. They make and sell shea butter based hand and body creams and hand and body soaps in four holiday scents. They also have partnered with biscuit bags to offer small fabric ditty bags which are perfect for dog treats, cell phones, ipods, etc. Available at www.holidayhomeshop.com or at St. Nick’s Stores in the Denver area.”

Holiday Gifts That Give Back

By Michele C. Hollow of Pet News and Views

If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping, and are looking for great gifts that help others—both two and four legged—check out my holiday gift guide.

“Make A Sale, Save A Tail was started by Melissa France and her two daughters (at ages 4 and 6). “We make holiday scented lotions and soaps (professionally labeled at our skin care facility) and our entire product line benefits animal welfare organizations across the country,” says Melissa. ”What started as an idea to help rescue animals has turned into a small business. We do this October through January every year (this is our third year) and we give 100 percent of our profits to charitable, non-profit animal organizations. We are not large, but we do donate a large percentage. We don’t make any money on the project. All of our profits are donated from our website. ”Our love filled project was started in 2010 by Maria, age 6 and her sister Sophia, age 4. After a tough decision led to having their 12-year old pug Rocky put to sleep, the girls were moved to help animals in shelters find new homes. Working together, the girls came up with the idea to have a product line that would be Christmas-oriented and practical to use.. (Rocky loved Christmas!) The Holiday lotion line was the beginning. The line has grown to include lotions, soaps and small fabric bags. With plans in the works for new summer scents, room sprays, hand soaps & essential oils, the girls have quickly become entrepreneurs for the love of animals!” Check out their site by clicking here.”

New Location Carrying Make A Sale, Save A Tail Products!

beautyaroundtown — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:42:15 +0000

We are pleased to announce that we now have an additional location for local customers. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Ryan Groelz & Dr. Melissa Groelz, our products are available for purchase at Rock Creek Spine and Rehabilitation Center, 413 Summit Boulevard , Suite 101
Broomfield, CO 80021.

You may purchase our lotions or order our bags at this location!

Saying Good-bye to a Beloved Pet

beautyaroundtown — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:05:04 +0000

It is never easy to say good-bye…Coming home to an empty house…Listening for the sound of nails clicking on the hardwood floor…Waiting for the snores at night… These are all things we have to get used to. Pets are more than creatures who live in our houses- they live in our HEARTS. They are family members and the love and need us as much as we love and need them.

When you choose to have a pet, you know the time is limited. It is a precious few years to share in the joys of your day and your life with a furry friend. As many times as you remind yourself that this time won’t last forever, it is still a shock when you lose a pet.

Rocky, age 11

We started the “Make A Sale, Save A Tail” project in October of 2010 after losing Rocky- our almost 12 year old pug. Rocky was one of those dogs who was just plain needy and we loved it. When we sat down, he was on our laps. When we had free hands, he positioned himself for petting. To fall asleep, he needed his life companion Rosie to lick his ears and clean his face. He loved Christmas and the lure of the tree. He would often be under the branches looking for any presents that might be his. His loss left a huge hole in our hearts.

But, we always had Rosie to fill it back up. Rosie and Rocky had been together from the ages of 3 and 6 months. They were inseparable. Rosie was always the caregiver and Rocky needed that. After Rocky died, Rosie didn’t know what to do with herself. So, she turned her attention to us. She took the role of house protector and made sure the girls were okay. Wherever we were, she would find us and stay by our sides. However, if we showed her too much love, she would have to walk away. She just didn’t need it. She was like the mom of the family- taking care of everyone else but herself.

Rocky, 3 months

: Rosie, 5 months

Rosie, 13 years old

Sadly, last Wednesday- November 21- Rosie left us to join Rocky in Heaven. We know that Rocky was waiting for her- probably with very dirty ears! The idea of their reunion gives us some comfort as we grieve.

Rocky & Rosie, age 5

Rocky and Rosie were part of our lives before we had our children. 14 years of pug love and snorts is a hard thing to get over. When Maria came along in 2004 and then Sophia in 2006, they got just as attached. For them, Rocky and Rosie were always a part of their lives.

In time, we know there will be other pets. Millions of animals across the world who need love and need rescued. For now, we are just remembering the two pugs who touched our lives so deeply. We will never forget you and will always love you, Rocky and Rosie France.

Pleased to Announce Another Retail Location!

beautyaroundtown — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:29:08 +0000

We are working on getting new retail placements for Make A Sale, Save A Tail. We are very pleased to announce that we will once again be back in PCs Pantry in Boulder, CO. If you have not been to this store before, you are missing out!

PCs owner, Mary Lee began PCs Pantry in a small house on Walnut Street in Boulder in 1998. From the beginning ALL dogs and cats have been welcome to join their guardians and roam inside PCs. Generally this works well, some moments are tumultuous until the 4 legged ones realize that treats will be shared freely.

Mary Lee is a wealth of information. If you have questions about weight management, allergies, lightning nervousness, raw diet or maybe even a remedy for your dogs propensity for eating less fragrant substances, she can assist you.

The red building on the corner of 30th and Bluff

(1 block North from old store) 2828 30th Street

Store Hours

10:00-7:00 Monday

10:00-6:00 Tues-Wed-Thurs

10:00-7:00 Friday

10:00-6:00 Saturday

10:00-5:00 Sunday

We Are Partnering with Biscuit Bags! Thank You for Your Support.

beautyaroundtown — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:04:06 +0000

We wanted to take a moment and thank all of you who visit our site, order our products or share with friends. As you know, the holidays are a very busy time for everyone. Each year they seem to come faster and faster. We are encouraged to continue our fundraising for animals each year because of the faces of the rescues we help find homes and our ongoing support from our customers.

Starting in September, we get lots of questions about whether we will be doing the lotions again this year. I am happy to say YES!, we are again out pounding the pavement and trying to raise money this year. We hope to set a new record in 2012 of $4000. Thank you again to all of you who took the time to help!

We are pleased to announce we will be working with Biscuit Bags again this year! Visit our products page to learn more.

New Scents! New Year! Make a Difference For Animals In Need.

beautyaroundtown — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:14:00 +0000

Maria and Sophia, Founders

Hello! Welcome our new Christmas scents and new gift ideas for 2012!

Over the past two years, since the founding of Make A Sale, Save A Tail, we have raised close to $5000 for shelter animals in need all over the United States. This year we are launching some new scents through St. Nick’s stores. In addition to our Christmas Tree, Christmas Apple, Sugar Cookie and Cinnamon Sticks- we have Chocolate Mint, Apple Pie, Christmas Apple and Christmas Pine! All of the new scents are available in our signature Vitamin E and Shea Butter Hand and Body Cream and Brand New- rich, hydrating hand and body washes.

These new scents are available for a very limited time at our etsy shop! Click HERE to shop. They are also available at St. Nick’s stores in Colorado. Learn More HERE.

SPECIAL DEALS!

Local Customers who pick up or any customer who Pays by Check is eligible for this special pricing:

Buy 1 lotion for $8.50
Buy 2 lotions for $16.00 -Save $1.00
Buy 3 lotions for $21.00- Save $4.50
Buy 4 lotions for $28.00- Save $6.00
Buy 5 lotions for $34.00- Save $8.50 (that is a free lotion)!

To Order with this pricing, click HERE.

Each of these orders also comes with free gift tags!