August Shortbread Challenge: A New Party Begins August 1, 2006

Last year's August challenge went so well, I'm going to make it an annual event.  In  case you missed last year's shortbread challenge (if you want to read about last year's challenge click here), here's what went down a year ago:

July 2005: My home and bakery are under construction.  Everything is a mess with construction guys running around and my house torn up.  I am working ridiculous hours at IBM.  I am newly married and learning how to be a step-parent.  Business for Vermont Shortbread Company is typically slow at this time of year.  I am feeling a tad anxious trying to juggle it all and decide that my typical coping schemes of turning to chocolate and indulging my designer purse obsession are not options here.  A serious and inspiring solution to my discomfort is needed. 

August 2005: I decide to sell 100 gift box shortbreads in August to boost sales and my waning confidence.  Insane given the circumstances?  Perhaps.  I am testing my new theory that putting intentions out into the universe and publically proclaiming them helps them materialize and asking for help are good things.  I decide to donate 10% of my revenue from this challenge to a worthy cause if I reach this goal.

End of August 2005: After a month of blogging about the progress in reaching this goal, I manage to sell 100 gift box shortbreads WITHOUT a bakery, WITHOUT a web site, with a home in construction chaos, and while working full time at IBM.  I DID IT!  My confidence rises to new levels as I realize that if I can reach this goal under such challenging circumstances imagine what I can do with a web site, more time to devote to the business, the right support, and a bakery!? 

End of August 2005: Sadly, Katrina hit at the end of August and the question of where to donate 10% of my revenue was answered easily.  Having been a former teacher in inner city schools in New Orleans, I felt very connected to the cause.  I remember helplessly watching the images of the people stuck in the Superdome and wondering how many of them were my students 20 years ago. 

Here's the 2006 Shortbread Challenge (insert drum roll):

I am going to sell 300 gift box shortbreads in August 2006.  Come back to this blog tomorrow for more details.  (Or sign up for our monthly newsletter, Short Bites, by going to www.vermontshortbread.com and dropping your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the page.)

Either way, stay tuned.  I'm going to create a new shortbread record this August and donate some serious money to a worthy cause.   

The party begins August 1.