“Ignorance and Want” What will this Holiday season bring?

Everything that is being written today is smoke and mirrors. Orchestrated to confuse what is “normal” living, or human behavior – with deviant behavior, and justifying it with the confusion. A person would have had to live in a vacuum not to have had some sexual flirtations or advances – people are sexual creatures.

But as my mom would say – “Mind your manners and respect other’s boundaries. AND if you don’t like the lifestyle – take yourself out of the given situation that causes you pain. Be responsible and accountable for your actions, Donna!””

Having lived within theater and music circles all of my life – I understand the lifestyle – it’s more familiar than a business setting. I accept (and welcome) it. But I’ve chosen those circles – nobody forced me to. Do I have boundaries and enforce them? Of course I do.  I also enforce my boundaries in business. Have we become so brain dead that we can’t decipher our own life choices? Or so robotic that we force all behavior to fit in or out of a “shaped” box which is dictated through tyranny or fascism?  This is playing conveniently into the Anti-Net Neutrality bill that the GOP is trying to force through.  Suppress and control.

In oppressed societies, historically – confusion, limited access to music or dancing or theater, what we read, how we speak and the economy – is controlled.  The entire planet fights against this…. Except the United States.

A huge fraction of social media lemmings, the GOP and those that vehemently defend their “vote” in this past Presidential election are welcoming (and orchestrating) losing our freedoms.  Those that oppose are sent to the gallows. How soon will it be that these supporters lose their personal freedoms and bellow to the heavens that they were duped?  Too late….everyone loses.

Sound familiar?  Follow your history from the ancient empires to Cuba to the ultimate terror: Nazi Germany.  It’s not new – it simply has a sleazy new coat and underneath?:  Ignorance and Want …… Ignorance and Want. 

The “Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future” are going to be very busy this holiday season….we can hope.  

All Women in the cross hairs….What are you willing to give up?

Senator Elizabeth Warren on Planned Parenthood

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is a touchstone to women’s rights and middle/low income America. I stand with Planned Parenthood and every service that they provide – to every woman.

The rights that we fought for in the 70’s and 80’s are founded on sacrifice and tears. Why doesn’t the GOP propose legislation – or Angel funding – or adoption that will sponsor a mother through pregnancy and the child through college, that is if they are truly concerned with the fetus and the eventual child?

This will never happen – as it is not their concern or agenda.

I think we need to ask each and every GOP Legislator what exactly IS their agenda. I, for one, will never surrender my rights, my children’s rights or my great great grandchildren’s rights as women.

Never give up.  Never surrender!

Recognition to (dis)Abilities by the Investment World?…Well, knock me over!

Sunday evening – June 7, 2015 – Dignity by Design (my company) was notified that it had become a semi-finalist in the Minnesota Cup Competition!!

This may not mean so very much to those out of state or globally, but to Minnesota it means a great deal.  And to a company that has dedicated its entirety to disabilities and the independence of the disabled, veteran and elderly…..well, it is unprecedented!!

For years, decades and historically – Disabilities have eluded investors as a non-glamorous, non-high-tech, non-money-making market.  However, with the onset of disabilities hitting the runway in fashion, new technological advances in disease, war aftermath, community inclusion and software (including apps) rising to meet the needs of disabilities – it has become a viable “Social Impact” venture to investors and media worldwide.

It’s about time!

“When we’ve risen to meet the needs of our fellow man/woman – to create an environment that allows for independence, recognition of abilities and respect of worth – as a whole – regardless of ability or disAbility – then, we have truly evolved.”  Donna Freeberg

Thank you MNCup for your recognition.  It is amazing!

MN Cup

Donna Freeberg, President
Dignity by Design – Fashion for all disAbilities
http://www.dignitybydesign.com

Up Against Goliath…How’s your aim David?

Over the past years I’ve been up against some pretty powerful odds:

Unethical employers and Unethical banking institutions.

Generally one fight alone would be enough to do in the common man (or woman in my case) and it has been a brutal fight uphill – but I’ve had the great fortune of family, friends and a powerful & influential network of trusted colleagues and resources.

The fight goes on, however – and I’m not yet sure if I will land under the heavy foot of Goliath or prevail through determination, hard work, shear will…..and an imaginary slingshot.

  

Non-Profits: What Are you Really asking of…and giving to… your Donors?

Every year – every quarter – every day….Nonprofits look to their donors to keep their
mission alive. No trade secret exposed there, right?

And although this has been the same expectation since the first nonprofit took to the soapbox and preached it’s message to any and all that could hear…..the fact is: giving is down and there is always another “cause” directly around the corporate corner.

Let’s step back and Shake It Up……Business 101 style!

You have a Mission Statement. Right? …… When was the last time that you took this out of mothballs, shook it out and proudly proclaimed it to the world at large?

What do you do? Who do you serve? 

Do your donors – future sponsors – or your neighborhood Grocer – KNOW the righteous deeds that you do or the milestones you’ve obtained…… or simply that your service exists??

The world of Social Media, Crowdfunding and Corporate Sponsorships offers to Nonprofits new territory and virtually free marketing…..seize the day!

REVITALIZE and RECHARGE
Engage with your donors, your clients and your neighbors!

Open the office to a meet and greet
Sponsor a “Morning Coffee Intro” at a neighborhood coffee shop
Visit a rehabilitation facility with Coffee, Tea and rolls

…..Communication and Engagement on a personal level, as well as a strong
online presence will keep your message and mission vital.

REVITALIZE and RECHARGE

We want to know about you…..before you’re gone.  

www.linkedin.com/in/dfreeberg

The Emperor’s New Clothes: Disability Offerings or an Illusion?

There is much on the global runway today that is addressing disabilities and fashion.  Models are entering the runways in designs from the best houses of fashion.  My colleagues, with disabilities, are finally being focused on – for the first time – for the beautiful people that they are – disability or no.

 

But is this just a showing for the designers, spotlighting their “compassionate” nature, and garnering headlines?  The clothing is not made exclusively for the disabled – and although it’s very lovely – it does not address the issue of fashion for disabilities.

I believe that it’s opportunistic.  My clothing line “Dignity by Design” is made specifically for disabled, Veterans and the elderly.  (www.dignitybydesign.com)

We have struggled for years to get recognition by investors and angels, Why?:

• Not enough of a market (5 million Americans and returning Veterans….not enough?)
• “We don’t understand the disabled community”. (How about getting to know them?)
• “We don’t understand the manufacturing/clothing market…too unstable”. (Does “Fubu” ring familiar?)
• “It’s not technology…. and the return in the technology industry is more guaranteed.”  (Although, with an 80% failure rate – the ROI is far from guaranteed.)

…The need IS real for the 5 million Americans alone, struggling with clothing issues, not having adequate resources and unable to afford designer prices – even if the clothing was made for their needs?

Please post your concerns or interest – because I am mystified at the apathy and lack of concrete solutions provided, thus far, for the daily needs of professional and social disabled citizens.  We have always had the answer!

Partnering with Dignity by Design:

MINNESOTA ANGEL INVESTORS: $$$$ Tax Breaks $$$

Minnesota’s Angel Tax Credit provides a 25-percent credit to investors or investment funds that put money into startup companies focused on high technology, new proprietary technology, or a new proprietary product, process or service in specified fields. The maximum credit is $125,000 per person, per year ($250,000 if filing jointly). The credit is refundable. Residents of other states and foreign countries are eligible.

Available Funding

                A total of $16 million in tax credits is available, divided into two parts:

• $7.5 million is reserved until Sept. 30 for investments in businesses owned by women or minorities or in businesses located in Greater Minnesota. As of 1/26/2015, $6.0 million remains. After Oct. 1, any remaining tax credits not allocated to these targeted businesses will be made available to others.
• Another $8.5 million in credits (including unused credits from 2014) is available for investments in other businesses. As of 1/26/2015, $5.5 million remains.

Dignity by Design Enterprise
Angel.co/Dignity by Design

Proprietary Social Impact product: 
Professional Clothing made exclusively for 
the Disabled, Elderly 
and Veteran

Seeking experienced Investors in:
Manufacturing, Disabilities, Fashion or Military Veterans 

Recapping the Year? Perhaps a tad……but first: Happy Holidays to All from Dignity by Design!

First and foremost:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all and may we all have Enough….

May the holidays enlighten us to diversity, and usher in a new year of Dignity for all!

As for this year and Dignity by Design: We’ve had our ups and downs. It continues to be a challenge to enlighten the financial community on the importance of disability services and products for the disabled, veterans and elderly.  When I say may we all have Enough….I mean that we should all have enough dignity, enough respect, enough joy and enough Ability to love ourselves and feel blessed with what we do have…..

It’s not easy in these tough economic, employment and Social Media crazed times to be
grateful for the hard times, the sick times, the lonely times and the times of loss.  So with the Holidays upon us, I wish you Enough…. enough strength, love and fortune to anticipate 2015 with hope and a renewed joy!

Veterans of the United States And to all that have fallen before you:

I want to take this moment to show my gratitude to you, personally.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Family:

The most influential Veteran in my life was my Dad: Leslie Walton. My Dad was part of the glory, sacrifice and triumph of WWII.  He was a pilot in the Army Air Corps, (before it became the Air Force as we know it today); he lost his leg in an airplane accident and spent a year in the hospital recovering.  His aeronautical triumphs continued after the war with Honeywell.  He loved flying, he loved his country, he was a man of honor and a great father.  And my mother was by his side – every step of the way – through thick and thin. They were the inspiration for my company:
Dignity by Design.  (www.dignitybydesign.com)

Country: I hope that these images will be as inspirational to you as they were to me:

(Minneapolis Institute of Art – 5/2014)

http://www.dignitybydesign.com  “Serving the disabled and Veterans globally”

Crowdfunding. Where do you stand??

So much is written about, blogged about (and posted on every site imaginable about) Crowdfunding.

There are experts with webinars (I’ve personally attended my fair share) – experts at the podium and experts on the street corner (AKA: Will work for….).

I, too, have a Crowdfunding post/site….which, by all accounts, is not doing well:  http://www.gofundme.com/dignitybydesign

I really don’t know why.  The facts are:

• I do need the funds, pursuing a dream (even the most noble) isn’t cheap and can be seriously devastating to your finances.
• I have a lot of friends and followers
• I’m up against the BIG DOGS and they are ruthless

So what are your thoughts dear readers?

Are we just so deluged by scammers, opportunists, the hard hit economy, elections and politics – to recognize an authentic need…even if it’s your neighbor next door?