Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Sansone.
Tina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey started on December 23, 2011, with the death of my 25-year-old son. After a few years of intense grieving, counseling, and getting re-acquainted with God, we went on a trip to Roatan. After shopping at a non-profit selling jewelry made by the locals, I started having dreams of starting a jewelry making non-profit of my own. Not only to honor my son but to also help the under-resourced children in our area. That is how “Friends of Vince” was born!
My husband, daughters, and a group of talented women are by my side to make this a success. We started with buying new shoes for the children in North Richmond and Rosenberg, and now continue with any necessities that children in the Fort Bend area need. At Christmas two years ago we held a “Spirit of Christmas Market” where the children earned their way by doing good deeds for others. There they got to “shop” for all their family members for gifts to open on Christmas morning. During the “Harvey Flood” we asked for donations and with those we helped with providing food, beds, clothing, shoes and whatever else was needed. We received a huge donation of socks, underwear and other clothing items from The Church of God in St. James MO and were able to help so many children!
We are planning to have another “Market” this year. We became a 501c3 last June. I am involved with the Women’s Bible Study group at RPC in Sugarland and provide some of the i-fit children with clothes, diapers and sensory toys. RPC has been instrumental in helping us raise funds for our projects. We have no paid employees, everyone volunteers whenever they are needed. I am so thankful and blessed that God has chosen to use me to help others.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We are slow to grow because I don’t ever want to have paid employees. Some of our challenges are with social media and getting our name out there. I am over 60 so not so good with all of that. 🙂 We started with setting up at outside markets and quickly learned that the elements made it almost impossible with the things we are selling. We look for inside venues to sell it.
Friends of Vince – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I think what sets us apart, is that 100% of our profits go to help the kids. The first year was self-funded and depended on donations of supplies, and now we only take money out for supplies.
We experiment with new one-of-a-kind jewelry designs and keep our prices low. I spend many, many hours making and packaging items. Some of our most popular items this past year have been our Tree of Life pendants and sun catchers and also our hand-painted ornaments, especially our “Astros” world champion ones!
I believe what I’m most proud of is all the help that I have received. There are so many kind and generous people that are willing to give their time to help, whether it be making things, helping with the books, or just showing up to sit with me and help sell or give away items. With a huge donation of necklaces by Gigi at “Garden Girl of Texas”, we were able to give so many children a gift for their mom’s for Mother’s Day and also 100 women at a nursing home a gift.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My most proud moments are to see not only the children’s faces as they get new shoes but also the parents! You can tell how much it means to them with these looks of gratitude. I know my son would be so proud to know that we are doing this in his memory.
Pricing:
- items range from $5 to $30, most are $10 to $15
Contact Info:
- Address: 4603 Colony West Drive, Richmond TX 77406
- Website: www.friendsofvince.com
- Phone: 832-877-1084
- Email: [email protected]
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