There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has flipped our world upside down. The streets are quiet, businesses have temporarily shuttered, and we are desperate for hope and a promise of a better tomorrow. However, at Boston Moms we are focused on bringing a positive perspective whenever possible. When there is darkness, we always look for the light.
Boston Moms has been so impressed by the many ways in which people in our community have stepped up to make a difference during this tumultuous time, and we are excited to spotlight local business Rustic Marlin in this week’s community feature.
Rustic Marlin founders Melanie and Brian O’Neil started their Boston-area business in their garage in 2012 and now employ a talented team of over 30 designers, artists, and craftsmen. Their business, like most small businesses, has seen the immediate effects of the economic downturn associated with COVID-19. However, instead of hanging their heads in defeat, Melanie and Brian got creative.
So they launched the Signs of Hope initiative. And 100% of the profits from the line will be donated to employees of small businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 — Rustic Marlin’s own team included.
When we spoke to co-founder Melanie O’Neil earlier this week, she informed us that more than 2,000 signs have already been purchased — bringing in over $30,000 for their cause. This is certainly something to celebrate.
“The idea is to use the profits to assist ordinary people that just a few weeks ago had jobs within a small business but now their world has been turned upside down because the company they work at had to close,” co-founder Brian O’Neil said in a statement. “These employees are the lifeline of small businesses, and we know this all too well. We are trying to maximize the monies generated, and our goal is to buy gift cards at local restaurants and donate to employees to feed their family. We believe this is the best way to support as many small businesses as we can at one time.”
You may recognize these adorable signs you’ve seen hanging on doorknobs and wreaths around town. The uniformity of this show of support reminds us that we truly are all in this together.
Signs of Hope are currently available for purchase on Rustic Marlin’s website and several local outdoor 24/7 self-serve kiosks (with no human contact!):
- Rustic Marlin Headquarters: 389 Columbia Rd., Hanover, Massachusetts
- Redeye Coffee Roasters: 3 Otis Street, Hingham, Massachusetts
- Work Local: 892 Plain Street, Marshfield, Massachusetts
- Be Charmed: 70 North Street, Medfield, Massachusetts
- Walsh Styling Beauty Bar: Gannett Rd., North Scituate, Massachusetts
- Riva Restaurant: 116 Front St., Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts
- Rock Paper Scissors. Fryberger Home: 1316 South St., Needham, Massachusetts
Signs of Hope is also accepting donations to further support the Signs of Hope initiative via Venmo to @signsofhope.
Rustic Marlin hopes that as a show of support, local residents will purchase signs and drop them off on the front porches of community members who are providing service on the front lines of this pandemic.
Initiatives like Rustic Marlin’s Signs of Hope kiosks are a bright light in these difficult times. We encourage you to purchase a sign for your own door and are proud to support Rustic Marlin as a partner in our community!
If you know a business or community organization that should be profiled in a Boston Moms community feature, please let us know! Please email [email protected], and we will be in touch.
