The Costco Connection - December 2018

sizes giving charity and taking care of orphans. Starting this business is a way for me to turn my beliefs into action.”

Pet-loving punk rockers

For sisters Tish and Snooky Bellomo, who grew up poor with a single mother who loved animals, looking after others always made sense. “Our mother taught us compassion, and I think we always felt we wanted to help other people, knowing what it feels like to need help,” says Tish.

When the sisters founded their punk-rock-inspired hair color company, Manic Panic ( manicpanic.com), in New York City’s East Village in 1977, the two included a few extra goals in their business plan.

At the time, for example, few cosmetics companies were not testing their products on animals. Manic Panic’s motto is “Tested on celebrities, not animals.” Famous customers include Cyndi Lauper, Rihanna and Katy Perry.

Manic Panic also incorporated a pledge to donate 15 percent of its profits to charity.

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In addition to donating money to animal-related causes like Frankie’s Friends ( frankiesfriends.org) in Tampa, Florida, which helps cover vet bills for families that can’t afford them, Tish and Snooky support, through donations and mentoring, local organizations working with at-risk girls growing up in poverty.

One such organization is the Lower Eastside Girls Club ( girlsclub.org).

“We started our business with basically nothing,” says Tish, “and when these girls see that you’re real and you went through a lot of things they’re going through, it gives them hope.” Adds Snooky, “It is so great to encourage young girls and empower them. If we can do it, they can do it, too.”

Backpacks giving back

“Before we started the company, we
were traveling the world,” explains Kelly
Belknap. “We were trying to give back to
those in need by packing lunches into
our backpacks, and then handing them
out to anyone who was asking for help
throughout our travels.”
“It was surprising to see so many
people in need in big cities,” recalls
his wife and business partner, Matilda
Sandstrom. “After our trip we came back
to our neighborhood in Denver and
realized there were just as many people
at home that were in need.”
The idea stuck and became part of
their company’s mission.

Adventurist Backpack Co. (adventur istbackpacks.com), based in Denver, is a testament to the fact that you don’t have to be a big business, or even have been around that long, to make a difference in people’s lives. Belknap and Sandstrom are co-founders of the company, which launched in 2017.

For every one of the durable, minimalist backpacks they sell, they provide 25 meals to families in need via Feeding America (feedingamer ica.org). Since its launch just a year ago, Adventurist has provided