I’ve been avoiding addressing this issue because let’s face it, everyone wants to be the good guy/girl and everyone wants to be liked.

 

So here it goes.

 

On average, and I’m being very conservative, I get between 20-30+ asks for donations to silent auctions, raffles, not-for-profit, etc. for seats to my pizza school per month. 

 

Now, if I look at this from a positive perspective, it’s a really good thing because it means people either have taken my class and really liked it or heard about it and think it’s a great idea.  The not so positive side is I run a VERY small business, (me only), and I have limited seats per month.  I also have rent to pay, insurance, sales tax, marketing/advertising, gas, materials for class and the list goes on and on and on.

 

The only way I stay in business is to sell seats in my classes.  I don't get paid from the State, City of New Haven, sponsors, etc.

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I tend to support things that I have a connection to such as MS, Cancer, Homelessness, Veterans, Sudden Family deaths, etc.

 

So let’s do the simple math for one month.

 

I’ll take the low side of 20 requests a month, and if I granted all 20 it would be $2,500 a month in free class donations.  On average, my classes are 10-15 people per class and on average I run 4 classes a month.  On the low side, I have 40 available seats per month.  You probably see where this is going, I hope.  40 seats total per month, 20 requests for free classes per month = half the available seats per month would be taken and no money would come into my business.

 

I do the best I can to promote my classes, bring good will to the community, give back in general, but at some point I can’t do them all.

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If you request a free class donation I will do the best I can.  If you hear from me, it will be a positive donation response.  If you don't hear back from me, unfortunately I can't grant your request.

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I hope this makes sense to you and you understand where I am coming from owning a small business.
 

Thank you.