Notes from Chris

Episode 1415

During the pandemic, marketing specialist and Austin local, Becs Prager, began to feel like the days and weeks were blending together. They found themselves wanting to mark time with something meaningful, such as celebrating Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, every Friday night with friends.

Shabbat is typically observed starting at sundown on Friday by lighting candles, sharing bread with wine or grape juice, and spending time with friends and family. Since in-person gatherings were still restricted, Becs began advertising Zoom meetings for anyone to come together to celebrate. However, while a lot of their friends wanted to go, many of them did not have the items to observe the traditional meal. So, Becs began dropping off Challah bread, candles, and kosher grape juice at their houses.

The idea of creating a Shabbat subscription box began to take form. The first question Becs asked was, “What makes Shabbat and how can that be portable?” They realized that all they really needed was the Challah bread, candles, and kosher wine or juice. Once Becs figured out what the essential items would be, their instincts as a marketing specialist kicked in and they began diving down the rabbit hole of what the size and packaging could look like.

After launching on Instagram and reaching out to a few local Jewish organizations, Becs developed a solid start to their side hustle. While this business is just a few months old, they are already bringing in about $600 a month from it.

Becs hopes to be able to continue to give back to their community. While the Mensch boxes are for sale, a partnership with Jewish organizations allows many of them to be donated as well. Becs has specifically focused donation efforts on the elderly Jewish community in Austin, hoping to give them a sense of community and tradition during the pandemic.

Furthermore, Becs is taking the idea of a monthly specialty box to continue to further the philanthropic element of the Mensch boxes. For example, November’s box is LGBTQ+ inspired with pride candles, including one for the Trans Day of Remembrance, and a rainbow sprinkle Challah. A portion of the profits will then be donated to Keshet, a Jewish LGBTQ+ organization.

It’s a mission to create warmth and community in an unconventional way, and also a profitable side hustle for Becs.

 

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  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Learn more about Becs business at his website, MenschBoxCo.com.

SEE ALSO:

• Catholic Designer Creates Stylish Apparel Line: What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world but not sell any t-shirts? This designer cast his bread upon the waters and ended up with a profitable fashion line.
• Shy Expat Uses “Deep Questions” Cards to Spark Conversations: A video marketer designs playing cards he calls “Ask Deep Questions” to help spark conversations and create meaningful connections.
• Out-of-Work Writer Turns to Profitable Poetry: When a down-on-his-luck writer composes impromptu poems for strangers in the street, he puts smiles on the faces of everyone he meets.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work! Yours in the revolution,

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