It was Christmas last year, the long awaited time that Joe and I get at least one night (2 if were lucky) with Joe’s nephew Jim and his wife Lizzy. It has been a tradition for the past 5+ years, that Jim and Lizzy end their long vacation at our house. We cherish the 24-48 hours we get of alone time.

This past holiday, we spent a lot of time talking about Stiggy’s Dogs, how far we have come, what still needed to be done, the much help I needed, and how they wish they weren’t so busy and had more time to help us.  I hear that often, and very few actually make that time, or take that step…….Jim Petre did, and in a way he knew best…..

Jim is a PHD College Professor at Bloomsburg’s University of Pennsylvania, Department of Business Communication. After their long drive back, I got a call from Jim and Lizzy, all excited for their idea to help…..

Jim sent me his syllabus and plans for this semester, his class is to chooses a ‘client’ and prepare: A Professional email, an Informative Client Profile, an Informative Presentation Speech, write a Press Release, crate a Marketing Plan……all areas that I told Jim that we were lacking in.  Jim presented Stiggys Dogs to his classes as the potential client. Brilliant!!! Joe and I will go to Bloomsburg at the semester end to be present for  these presentations, we will pick which one we like best, and will convert it to our actual business plan.When I told Jim how great this was, his response was: “Well, it is better than what I had to do, we had to create a marketing plan for Mary Kate and Ashley’s Clothes line….”

Thanks Jim, what a great way to help spread the word, what a great way to relieve that stress from us!!! My heart sings with happiness and at the creative way you are helping out organization! I know personally, how hard it had to be to stand up there in front of people and explain about Stiggys Dogs. The emotional impact  I have been living daily with while working hard building this. Trying to explain who Ben was, and why this is important, is gut wrenching. I would like to say it gets easier as you do this, but it doesn’t.

My gratitude and love can not be express in words…….I will never forget this. Ben is smiling down on you right now, giving you a big Knife hand!!! Oh, and Happy Birthday Jim Petre! You deserve the BEST year ever!