She Baked 96,000 Cookies and Raised $420,000+ to Develop Pediatric Cancer Treatments....Today She's Granted $21 MILLION, with Gretchen Witt, Founder of Cookies for Kids' Cancer
Dear FoundHer...Real Founder Stories for Women Small Business Owners
Lindsay Pinchuk
4.9 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 16 April 2024
⏱️ 44 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Diagnosed with stage four cancer at age two and a half years old, Gretchen Witt’s son's condition highlighted the critical need for increased awareness and funding for pediatric cancer. Drawing on her PR expertise, she organized a cookie bake-a-thon fundraiser that laid the foundation for Cookies for Kids' Cancer. The nonprofit she founded has since raised over $21 million, funding critical research and treatment options for pediatric cancer.
Gretchen shares the realities of running a nonprofit, from staying true to its mission to managing the challenges of fundraising and community engagement. She outlines practical ways businesses can support her cause, such as hosting bake sales or customizing cookies for corporate purposes. This demonstrates how for-profit initiatives can effectively contribute to philanthropic efforts.
Throughout the discussion, Gretchen emphasizes the importance of authenticity, a clear mission, and the courage to embrace new challenges despite the fear of failure. Her belief in grassroots involvement highlights her conviction that everyone has the power to make a difference regardless of their resources.
This episode is a reminder of the importance of clarity in both mission and communication, which is essential for anyone looking to make an impact through their work. Gretchen turned her grief into a global campaign against pediatric cancer, proving that from the deepest sorrow can come the greatest strength.
Quotes
- “I know my son inside and out and I know that his expectation of us who were left behind is that if there was something we could do to make it better for somebody else, we should do it. No matter what it is.” (22:12 | Gretchen Witt)
- “You have to be doing something for the right reason and the right purpose. And it has to be something that you believe in.” (24:39 | Gretchen Witt)
- “Starting an organization, whether it's a for-profit or a non-for-profit business, is not for the faint of heart. You better believe in what it is that you are doing without a shadow of a doubt. You have to have an idea of what it is that you're doing, why you're doing it, why it's important and why it's needed.” (24:45 | Gretchen Witt)
Connect with Gretchen Witt:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cookies4kids
Grab Lindsay's guide: 30 Pieces of Content in Two Hours:
https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/fedimy6g3b
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Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off.
https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsspring2024
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi guys, it's me, Lindsay. I'm in Baltimore today for a speaking engagement and the most |
| 0:06.6 | amazing thing happened. Two of the incredible women currently enrolled in my online community |
| 0:11.8 | and group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business, came to hear me speak. Not only did |
| 0:16.9 | they come to meet me and support me, but they came to meet each other. And it made me realize something that marketing made simple is so much more than a mentorship |
| 0:25.1 | in a community. |
| 0:26.4 | These women are building such amazing relationships and they are supporting one another in such |
| 0:32.9 | big ways. |
| 0:34.6 | And I am really, really lucky to be a part of it. |
| 0:37.4 | I had a lot of people tonight ask me, |
| 0:39.9 | how can I work with you? And so here's how. Marketing made simple for small business is a group |
| 0:45.4 | mentorship and online community for small women-owned businesses. You'll work to create |
| 0:50.9 | effective content, messaging, and marketing processes to connect with your |
| 0:54.4 | community, build awareness, and drive sales. This is a program that combines small group strategy |
| 0:59.6 | sessions, one-on-one Q&A, and accelerator calls, community support, and a ton of digital |
| 1:04.9 | resources designed to give you the step-by-step instructions and guidance that you need for |
| 1:08.9 | brand growth. We just open the doors to our spring |
| 1:11.7 | cohort of marketing made simple for small business and you can still get in before the end of the month. |
| 1:16.9 | Use the code founder for 20% off. Plus, you're going to want to act fast because I've added an |
| 1:23.0 | amazing bonus. When you join as an annual member, you get a second one-on-one accelerator call with me. |
| 1:30.6 | If you've already enrolled in the spring cohort, you will get this too. Any question? Simply |
| 1:35.8 | DM or email me. Click the link in the show notes for more information. And now on to the show. |
| 1:42.0 | Today's story is truly remarkable. I am in complete awe of Gretchen |
... |
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