We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Barbara Blalock a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Barbara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
How a Pencil Changed My Life It was back in 2003 when I was a visitor in a 3rd grade classroom. The teacher asked her students to get out a piece of paper and a pencil. I watched as a little girl named Sandy walk up to the teacher and give the teacher her shoe. The teacher smiled and gave Sandy a pencil. After class, I asked the teacher why Sandy had to give up her shoe for a pencil and the teacher told me that she does not have enough pencils for every student so the shoe was “collateral” to get her pencil back so that she had it for the next student that did not have a pencil. That day I knew that I needed to do something! I started Treasures 4 Teachers, a creative resource store where teachers can come and get “pencils” including a huge variety of other school supplies for free or at low cost. Today I can say that if a teacher does not have enough pencils for all their students they can come to Treasures 4 Teachers and get all the pencils they need.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born and raised in Monterey, CA. My career started at Safeway Stores which is also where I met my husband. After we were married and had our third daughter, we bought a preschool and a nursery school. That is where my love for children and teaching was born. In 2000 we moved to Arizona. I worked for the Kyrene School District as a Supervisor for the preschool and before and after school programs. Then I went to work for the Valley of the Sun YMCA where I was the Regional Preschool Director. Finally, I found my passion and mission to start Treasures 4 Teachers, a nonprofit organization providing free and low cost supplies to educators in Tempe, AZ.
Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?
Because Treasures 4 Teachers is a nonprofit organization and the fact that we can’t depend on grant funds on a regular basis we did create several business streams to keep funding coming into the organization even through the pandemic. We take advantage of eCommerce and sell items donated to us of higher value on eBay and on Amazon. We were able to keep these going through the pandemic. 4 years ago we opened a Thrift Store connected to our store for the teachers. The Thrift Store also brings in revenue to the organization. Lastly, we work with buyer for gold and silver to receive funding from them to bring into the organization. The diversity of funds has really helped keep us going and has allowed us to grow.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In 2008 I was diagnosed with Valley Fever which is lung infection common in Arizona. I was extremely ill for 6 months. Once I began to get better my husband and I decided that I could fulfill my dream and start Treasures 4 Teachers. We sold our home, put the equity in our savings for us to live on since I no longer had a paying job. It was probably one of the hardest things we have ever done. After 5 years of no salary and building the organization, I finally received my first pay check for $200 which is all the organization could afford at the time. Slowly over many years my salary creeped up to where today I am making a salary inline with my industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.treasures4teachers.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treasures4teachers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Treasures4Teachers.org/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-blalock-48454216/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Treasures4Teach/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNolTV_AsNY
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/treasures-4-teachers-tempe
- Other: Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@treasures4teachers