General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPenzeys: Open letter to CEOs of America
Just got this email from Penzeys -
Letter to America's CEOs
Dear CEO,
Please give us a moment to share something we hope you will find very valuable.
Our customers come from all walks of life. The kindness of cooks knows no borders or divides. In the aftermath of the election, seeing the intentional damage inflicted on so many outside the white heterosexual male world, we raised our voice. We felt we had to. We did this because we are Penzeys. The Spice business is so intertwined with history that it's not really possible to have one without the other. It became clear to us that we are now in a moment history will long have its eyes upon. For the sake of our customers, and for the sake of future generations, we felt the time had come to stand on the right side of history.
And while the reasons for why we took a stand might be specific to our unique outlook, what we learned actually applies to all commerce in the United States. What we learned is that President-elect Donald Trump has no real support. Voters, sure, but no constituency. Running a campaign on "that horrible-terrible-woman who should be locked up," while at the same time working to raise fear of minorities among white voters with limited access to education, clearly achieved its goal. But none of it left Americans with any sense of connection to the candidate they actually voted for.
Willing to take a hit for what is right, we did what we did. In the two weeks since, online sales are up 59.9%, gift box sales up 135%. And we didn't have a catalog arrive in this window this year, while last year we had 1.1 million! Yes, maybe for the moment we have lost 3% of our customers because of the so-called "right wing firestorm." And, yes, they send emails of rage, and ALL CAPS, and bad language with the hope of creating the perception that they are bigger than they really are. But what we learned is that, in terms of retail spending, Donald Trump simply has no one supporting his views for America. He has no constituency.
America's Values, on the other hand, have a really sizable constituency, and that constituency moves quickly to support those that stand up for the values of America. If, as a company, you have values, now is the time to share them. You may well lose a chunk of your AM radio-listening customers, but if you really are honest and sincere, don't be surprised to see your promotions suddenly, finally, find active engagement with the Millennial generation.
And the time for this really is now. We understand all too well that, with the holidays, December is a tough month to get things done. We understand that a change in direction will not be easy, but you are where you are because you don't need things to be easy. If you wait until after the wheels come off the track for the incoming administration, this moment will have passed. And while there's no bad time to do the right thing, to do the right thing at the same time as others in your industry will work so much better than waiting until someone else has shown the way.
In this moment there is finally the real chance to unite our nation in our shared rejection of sexism, homophobia, and racism. This is your chance to stand up for America's values and make January a tent pole in your company's history. Opportunities to do the right thing at the time when doing the right thing makes all the difference come once in a lifetime. Make your history proud.
Thanks for reading,
Penzeys Spices
It has sadly been rare for liberal business owners to come out so vehemently to promote our values, whereas RW business owners are continually out there spewing their hate as standard protocol.
Encourage anyone who cooks to support them and buy spices from them. They have great sales and a wide variety. Most of my spices (a whole cabinet of them) are from Penzeys!
Freethinker65
(10,048 posts)I, among countless other customers, wrote Bill Penzey an email of support two weeks ago. I have been a Penzeys customer for years.
BumRushDaShow
(129,440 posts)To me, their products are great regardless and the company has really given me hope that all is not lost in America.
Freethinker65
(10,048 posts)I found the FB page before Penzeys had an official page. Some members were livid about his progressive email a few years back. Caused quite a stir. It died down, but started back up after the email two weeks ago. His politics are pretty well known and it was nice to see more people supported him than did not in the group. I use a lot of Penzeys herbs and spices. Glad he is still doing well.
BumRushDaShow
(129,440 posts)the types of rhetoric from the owner of places like Whole Foods, a business that one would think would be "liberal" yet we discovered otherwise... But when a true liberal business owner speaks out, the panties go into a wad and the pearls are clutched!
I know that liberal talk host Joe Madison often offers a word of wisdom via a quote that he had picked up years ago -
and here you have someone willing to "sacrifice" to get a movement going.
GoCubsGo
(32,088 posts)I have been meaning to do it, but I keep forgetting. On top of the posting, I'll add that they're a great company, and they have the best spices! And, they really aren't any more expensive than what you find in the grocery store, only they are of much higher quality. I could not recommend this company enough!
pkdu
(3,977 posts)Always loved Penzeys , now even more than ever.
BumRushDaShow
(129,440 posts)Perfect!! You should do it!
Raster
(20,998 posts)...I cook, and I will make an effort to buy their products.
GoCubsGo
(32,088 posts)As have the rest of my immediate family. Their herbs and spices are probably the best quality you'll find. You won't be sorry!
Raster
(20,998 posts)A very big part of our plan to bring back political sanity is to give props and positive feedback to those BRAVE, COURAGEOUS Companies and Individuals that have our backs. We need to let them know we have theirs!
Cha
(297,641 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,440 posts)And Mahalo for all your advocacy here on DU!!
Cha
(297,641 posts)Really appreciate it.. Thank you
Control-Z
(15,682 posts)MANative
(4,112 posts)in Westport CT. Great holiday gifts, methinks!
blue sky at night
(3,242 posts)Here ya go A M E R I C A, Stand and be counted!
wisteria
(19,581 posts)TygrBright
(20,763 posts)mountain grammy
(26,648 posts)Great product. Proud that I use them.
wryter2000
(46,081 posts)Will be buying presents for my family from them