This morning I noticed in my desk drawer this red paperclip which reminded me of Kyle MacDonald.
On July 12, 2005 Kyle MacDonald posted a picture of a red paperclip on his blog and in the barter section of craigslist and asked if anyone wanted to make a trade for something bigger or better. A few days later he traded the paperclip for a pen shaped like a fish. Then he traded the pen for a doorknob. And so on, each time trading for something bigger or better. Once all the dust settled, Kyle made 14 trades and wound up with a house located at 503 Main Street in Kipling Saskatchewan.
For many years now I’ve talked about creating an Impact Foundation that would enable small non-profits doing great work, but without the marketing resources to get their message out to the masses, to share resources, services and expert insights that would impact the number of people they can serve.
The thing that always stopped me was … one day … when I have the resources.
That simple paperclip reminded me that we should start today, with the resources we have to have an impact in the world.
So … I have this red paperclip.
Does any have anything bigger or better that they would like to trade for it?
I know from my experiences with my “making money out of thin air” demonstration at my live events that amazing things can happen when we work together.
So whatever I can trade this red paperclip up to, I’ll use to actually start the Impact Foundation and get started sharing the massive resources of the Impact Family to people and organizations doing the small things that have the biggest impact on the legacy that we leave together.
So far, I have a paperclip … Want to trade for it?
UPDATE!
Click here to see what happened next …
All the best,
Ken McArthur
KenMcArthur.com
jvAlertLive.com
OneDayIntensive.com
TheImpactFactor.com
Ken I’ll trade you a beautiful, hand carved stone vase from Ten Thousand Villages (10 inches tall, 5 inches wide).
Perfect! The first trade is done! Steven, let’s meet and document this start to a brand new impact!
9 x 12 inches hand painted by myself, ready for trade. Thanks
This painting is called a Manifestation Mandela (I seldom get names ). The colors and design was given to me in meditation and vision.
after research done (i use some sacred geometry in some paintings ) I found out that this one is called Sri Yantra Mandela.
Hello Ken
Long time no see. How the dickens are you? You in fine fettle? I hope so.
This beautiful vase from Ten Thousand Villages, I’ll trade you for it. My terms are attached below…
I’ll trade you the vase in exchange for helping any not for profit social enterprise with their marketing completely for free for an indefinite period of time or for as long as my professional expertise can help them. With one proviso…
You keep the vase safe for me for now and ensure it goes to someone more deserving of it than myself. In other words, I want you to trade it again in another direction to someone else again to help raise further awareness of the vision you want to share and bring to life.
Do we have a trade?
You know you can’t resist saying yes.
Just do the trade.
You know you want to.
Now, who am I helping then Ken? Where do you think my marketing skills can best be put to use on your behalf to help a not for profit in need? Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.
Keep your chin old boy and keep smiling.
Kicking myself, I must read your website more often, if truth be told, I’ve missed it here reading up on your great advice.
Chin chin,
Mark Andrews
Whooshhh.com
Just traded for Steven Rowell’s carved stone vase from Ten Thousand Villages (10 inches tall, 5 inches wide). Who has something bigger and better to trade for it?
I have Steven Rowell’s beautiful hand carved stone vase in hand. It’s from Ten Thousand Villages (10 inches tall, 5 inches wide).and there’s a real story behind how Ten Thousand Villages got started. Take a look at the history on this one!
The global fair trade movement began with the founding of Ten Thousand Villages more than 60 years ago through the visionary work of Edna Ruth Byler, a pioneering businesswoman. Byler was struck by the overwhelming poverty she witnessed during a trip to Puerto Rico in 1946, where she was moved to take action. The seminal contribution of Byler ignited a global movement to eradicate poverty through market-based solutions.
Byler believed that she could provide sustainable economic opportunities for artisans in developing countries by creating a viable marketplace for their products in North America. She began a grassroots campaign among her family and friends in the United States by selling handcrafted products out of the trunk of her car. Byler made a concerted effort to educate her community about the lives of artisans around the world.
For the next 30 years, Byler worked tirelessly to connect individual entrepreneurs in developing countries with market opportunities in North America. From humble beginnings, Ten Thousand Villages has grown to a global network of social entrepreneurs working to empower and provide economic opportunities to artisans in developing countries.
More at: http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/about-us
Who has something bigger and better to trade for this vase?
How is this coming along Ken, how about an update?
Only I never did hear back from you regarding my offer.
Best regards,
Mark Andrews