I have the pleasure today of getting to talk with one of the most amazing women in Affiliate Marketing, Karen Garcia of GTO Management. Karen is not only one of the brightest women in Affiliate Marketing, but she is by far one of the busiest. She’s a mom, a Marketer and one of the founders of the Christian Affiliate Marketing Association. She also somehow finds time to plan an annual event each year called Strike Out Breast Cancer.
Before we get to the interview, if you would like to attend Strike Out Breast Cancer, register for a ticket here, then donate $25 or more per person to either myself on team Affiliate Marketers Give Back or to Angel, Missy and Jen. (On a side note, you can donate to more than one walker, that means me, me, Angel, me, Jen, me, Missy, me.)
Now here’s the interview. Please retweet and share this post with anyone who you think may donate and help to support a great cause, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and Affiliate Marketers Give Back.
What got you all to decide to start Strike Out Breast Cancer?
We decided to start the bowling event a few years ago when we started managing the affiliate program for BowlingShirt.com. We thought it would be a fun alternative event to trying to shout over the music at some of the nightclubs. It was definitely well received and we had a blast just hanging out and networking with Affiliates. Last year, we decided to change things up a bit and make the event more purpose driven. After all was said and done, we raised more than $2,500 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. This year, the event will benefit the Avon Foundation through the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
Can you tell me more about your Client BowlingShirt.com and their involvement?
Breast cancer awareness is a cause that is near and dear to the owners of BowlingShirt.com. They have been very supportive over the years to multiple organizations that strive to find a cure and every October, they donate 10% of the proceeds of all pink items on the site to a breast cancer charity.
How can someone join their program and can you describe the benefits of it?
You can join the BowlingShirt.com affiliate program on the ShareASale network.
We offer 10% commissions with a sixty day cookie and a full datafeed. Our EPC in December was $27.50 and our average order value through the affiliate program was more than $65. We also offer a full datafeed through ShareASale and PopShops of more than 4,000 products from classic retro bowling shirts, to party supplies to retro decorations and costumes.
What is your motivation for helping to fundraise for charity?
There are no two ways about it…losing someone to cancer just sucks. My great grandmother passed away from breast cancer when I was thirteen and her death had a major impact on me. This past year, my brother’s best friend since they were six lost his own battle with cancer at just twenty-eight years of age and it was excruciating. No one should have to walk that road. Ever.
Individually, we don’t have bottomless pockets, but combined, we are a force to be reckoned with and we can do a lot of good in the world.
You walked in 2 breast cancer walks. What did you learn from them and what do you feel you accomplished by completing them?
I learned a lot about myself and that my limits actually are more than I even expected. Sixty miles and forty miles sounds like a really long way to go and it is, but focusing on the smaller increments makes it attainable. Along the way, I got to chat with lots of other walkers and hear their moving stories which was an incredible experience.
Do you have any advice to give any other brave Affiliates who may decide to walk?
Break in your shoes, train lots, don’t be afraid to ask for bandaids for your blisters and be fearless! It doesn’t matter what size you wear or if you think you could be in better shape. It doesn’t matter if you come in first or last in something like this. The only person you are competing against is yourself and it’s far, far more important that you participate!
Thank you Karen and everyone else involved with Strike Out Breast Cancer.
