The PlayHousing Market: There's no slump here: Barbara Butler's company thrives by donating its fanciful houses.
Entrepreneur Magazine
July - 2008
Francine Kizner
Giving away up to $55,000 a year in merchandise has become a tradition for Barbara Butler Artist-Builder, Inc. The 21-year-old high-end play structure company—which boasts celebrity clients like Will Smith and expects to bring in $2.3 million in 2008—makes charitable donations in lieu of having an advertising budget. “We get a lot of publicity, and we try to raise the most money possible,” says Barbara Butler, 51 who owns the 16-person business with her husband, Jeffrey Beal, 52, and her sister, Suzanne, 58.
Since 1999, the
San Francisco company has donated playhouses, play accessories and gift certificates to schools and charitable organizations that enhance children’s lives, such as the
Bay
Area
Discovery
Museum
. By choosing charities related to its mission, the company frequently brings in new customers who want custom playhouses or buyers looking for a better deal by purchasing direct rather than outbidding somebody.
“We’d rather spend money on donation programs than on advertising,” says Barbara Butler of her innovative marketing method.
For Media & Publicity Inquiries, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Jeanette Brown
Sarah Hall Productions, Inc.
670 Broadway - Suite 504
New York, NY 10012
Email: jeanette@shpny.com
Phone:(212) 529-1598
Fax:(212) 529-3171
