Notes from Chris

Episode 1599

Lutheran Pastor Ruth Hetland wanted to earn extra money to pay off her student loans and get her family out of the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle. She tried everything from self-publishing books of pastoral reflections to public speaking at retreats, but nothing really took off.

Still, Ruth knew that if other people could come up with great ideas, she could, too. Her epiphany happened while having coffee with a friend who raved about a subscription box containing wellness items for women. The friend convinced her to give it a try with a gift code. Maybe it was divine intervention—or maybe not—but that same day, she listened to one of our episodes about a woman who started a subscription box. She knew from that story that she needed to find a niche that wasn’t being served and that she understood well.

Ruth started thinking about how few things there are made just for people like her—ordained women in ministry. In the U.S. there are about 40,000 ordained women in mainline Protestant denominations. She had just attended the Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee where they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ordination of women in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. There was a special procession with lots of ordained women. However, most of them had to adapt things that were made for men.

Ruth needed this hustle to fund itself, so she took pre-orders on the boxes. The only thing she paid for out of her own pocket was Cratejoy’s fees which cost $39 a month. She calls her service ConseCrate.

Each month's box is unique and contains items that resonate with the corresponding church season. ConseCrate features books, ministry gear, wellness products, sustainable solutions, assorted treasures, & access to online media & coaching. Ruth describes it as "happy mail" every month just for you.

The first box went out in November 2020 and since then it has grown to nearly 450 subscribers each month (average price of $40). In addition, she offers "one-time" boxes people can order for special occasions or just a "thinking of you" gift.

Monthly profit is $5,850 (!) and growing. Ruth hasn’t spent any money on marketing. Most ConseCrate customers find it through social media, mainly Facebook and Instagram. Ruth tries to post frequently, using a combination of information, video, and just trying to stay connected with the community.

Ruth says she likes doing the box and wants to continue nurture ConseCrate’s online community. She’s considering creating a book with essays contributed by ordained women from various denominations. It could be featured in a box and then available on the website.

ConseCrate customers enjoy getting unique items not available elsewhere, so Ruth is also building a network of fellow clergy who are artists and creators. She’s even come to see the box as a new ministry. With a renewed sense of joy and gratitude, she intends to keep following where this path leads.

 

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  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Learn more about Ruth and her business at her website, Consecrate.Cratejoy.com.

SEE ALSO:

• Role-Playing Pastor Rolls The Dice On $2800/Month Hustle: Listener success story! This Presbyterian minister turns to his lifelong interest in role-playing games to set up a sustainable second income source.
• College Ministry Leader Starts Digital Agency: Drawing on a Nigerian heritage work ethic, a ministry leader turned entrepreneur uses social media to build a digital agency.
• Shabbat Shalom! Marketer Creates Day-of-Rest Subscription Boxe: After dropping off supplies to assist friends in virtually celebrating Shabbat, a marketing specialist creates a “Mensch box” to help others experience the Jewish day of rest.

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,

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