I recently took the time to interview Donnie Lafferty from Causekeepers. Here is what we got to talk about:

When did you first start CauseKeepers and why?

[Donnie Lafferty] We started CauseKeepers in 2004 while working at a coatings company that specialized in painting, screen printing and pad printing of parts for various industries. Sam Hicks and I came up with a fundraising product for the American Cancer Society. We designed and printed purple ribbon magnets with Relay for Life on them after collaborating with ACS. With a website and enthusiasm CauseKeepers was launched. Soon most major non profit organizations called from Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to The March of Dimes. Car magnets became the craze! Large retailers then wanted our magnets from Wal-Mart to Dillard’s. The quality of our products and our designs were second to none and our customers knew it and wanted all that we had. It was difficult to keep up with Wal-Mart demand for example but we ramped up and made it happen.

Why CauseKeepers as a name? Many people want to know where their money is actually going when they donate to charities. We named our company CauseKeepers because our aim was to make sure that the funds raised were kept by the intended cause or foundation. Integrity and trustworthiness is what CauseKeepers was built on by carefully listening to the actual needs of our clients and creating online stores and products that actually helped them achieve their goals. Non profits are usually not staffed to handle warehousing products, printing, online orders and phone orders. CauseKeepers quickly created a flexible system that was turn-key enabling even a small non profit to look very big and we helped them raise money and awareness. The big key was our ability to sincerely tap into actual needs of clients by listening with a desire to serve others. God has blessed me with the ability to be genuine and to be perceived as genuine. When I say something then I mean it and our clients believe me when I say something. We promise less and deliver more. Embroidery, Screen printing and offset printing are our services along with graphic design and web design.

Do you share your faith with those of your staff, and if so, how difficult is it?

[Donnie Lafferty] I share my faith with my staff the same way I do anyone. You must be real with God, real with yourself and real with others. My staff actually was attracted to our company because they knew of my character and that of the Vice President Sam Hicks who is also a pastor at West Asheboro Baptist Church. We have a fun work environment where God abounds. I used to teach kids from elementary ages to high school at Faith Christian School in Ramseur, NC and also used to work with kids as a Youth Director at the YMCA. Kids see the real deal and can “sniff you out” in a heartbeat. They know when you are genuine and sincere and they know when you are sweet talking them and manipulative. BE REAL. People care a whole lot more about what you do then what you say and your walk will talk louder than your talk. Show others that you love them versus just telling them. Be kind, gentle, and respectful and don’t compromise on your beliefs. That gets my foot in the door so to speak. People love stories, I mean good stories. So Christians need to develop good true stories. These are obviously called your testimony. If you are a Christian then God has given you a great story. It does not have to be glamorous or filled with shock and awe. Your story simply must be delivered with a sincere heart grateful for God’s amazing grace! I believe God desires a sincere heart devoted to him. I don’t hesitate to share my testimony of how God changed my life but I first really meet people where they are in life and see them for their potential in Christ. Christian’s fail at this so often. None of us have arrived and if you are still breathing on earth then God is not finished with you here. I genuinely don’t forget my depravity prior to living for God. I too was lost and living for self and I don’t look down on others struggling in their humanness. Be an encourager always.

What is your main mission with Causekeepers?

[Donnie Lafferty] Text book answer for a Christian is to answer this with “To glorify God in all that we do.” I will give you my real answer. I work to provide for my family so we have shelter, transportation and the basics. Work is not always fun or glamorous and running your own business is unbelievably difficult. My mission in life is to allow God to use me as He intended. I relish in the thought that there is no one in the world exactly like me. God made me and saved me from myself and sin through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ His only son. I pray that my company CauseKeepers has been and will continue to be a light for Christ. I don’t grip the company too tight meaning that what happens is fine with me. God stays first and I acknowledge Him by sincerely believing that I am in His hands and so is my company. Use me and our other employees as you wish Lord.

Has owning your own company always been your passion, or was there something else?

[Donnie Lafferty] I have always been excited when I experience excellence in anything. I recognized early on that excellent companies or organizations or sports tournaments or whatever were not accidents. They were the result of hard work, cooperation and probably a very few people doing a lot. I have been one of those FEW people willing to do a lot and so has my business partner Sam and the rest of our employees. I am passionate about inspiring others. I really seek to do it and I confuse inspiration with encouragement often. I have always been passionate. Our company motto is MAKE YOUR PASSION KNOWN. Everyone is passionate about something. For a Christian I have found that our life journey involves reigning things back to God so that we are busy about His business than our own selfish interest. That is difficult for the best of us. May Christians grow to be more and more passionate about God and out of thanks may we offer our time, thoughts, money and everything to Him in various ways: Such as supporting Graphic Designers for Christ.

How has Christ made a difference in your life, and in your companies success?

[Donnie Lafferty] God created my life. The difference made as a Christian is the acknowledgement of God and who Jesus is to me. God gave me Real life and has allowed me to seek things of eternal value. The eternal view is what it is about. What we see in front of us is not reality to me.

Before we wrap up, what is something that you would like to share with the readers?

[Donnie Lafferty] I shared plenty above. The main thing I want to share is be real and be sensitive to your heart. Have a sincere heart for God by allowing Him to mold you in His time. What others think about you is nothing. You can do so many right things with right motives and still have many think you are evil. God knows you and your motives. Check regularly where you spend your money, time and energy. If it is not involving God then ask Him to help you. Talk to God out loud sometimes. It works.