PPB November 2020

Round brilliant and princess cut diamonds cut to perfection in the world’s largest cutting factories of Antwerp, Belgium. Royal Stud Earrings www.antwerpdiamondsincentives.com value-add is coaching them on how to help themselves,” says Bak. “Our long-term goal is to be the one-stop shop for animal welfare groups, including farm and animal sanctuaries and cause-based animal groups, across the country. There’s power in numbers, and if we can help more nonprofits elevate their presence in their communities, then we can help save more animals.” The distributorship also uses branded goods to give back to shelters in need. Shelter Swag developed its Hygge Bank, named after Hygge, one of Bak and Lesniak’s cats, and whose name is the Danish word for feelings of coziness, comfort and general wellbeing. Certain items that Shelter Swag sells in its retail line are listed as “BOGO” (buy-one-give-one), and when a customer purchases one of these shirts, Bak and Lesniak donate a shirt to the Hygge Bank. When the Hygge Bank accumulates enough shirts, they are donated to a small-budget shelter in need of volunteer t-shirts. “For all the large organizations, there are a ton of scrappy, grassroots rescues that are all volunteer-based, and really need help wherever they can get it,” says Bak. “This is one way we can use our resources to make a difference for them, and pass along some hygge.” For such an animal-friendly company, it’s no surprise that Bak and Lesniak share their office space, not only with Hygge, the “quality control inspector”—“We let our customers know that if there’s an orange hair on one of their items, it means Hygge did a thorough inspection,” says Bak—but also with Bradley, a 13-year-old Golden Retriever and the “customer service manager,” who’s “always nearby to greet you with a smile,” and Lil’ Roo, the youngest and newest feline, and “intern,” who’s “learning the ropes and spilling our coffee.” Danielle Renda is associate editor of PPB. “Our goal is to help our nonprofit clients understand the importance of promoting themselves in a strategicway that leads to more awareness and financial support, which, in turn, canhelp themfulfill their mission—and ultimately save more animals.” — Linda Bak Sha r i e Lesn i ak and L i nda Bak o f She l t e r Swag 74 | NOVEMBER 2020 | THINK