Mike Rowe

On Sunday, November 10th, 2013, a woman named Candace purchased a “Work Smart AND Hard” poster for $12,100.00.
(Plus shipping and handling.)

That’s right. Twelve THOUSAND, One HUNDRED United States DOLLARS.
(Plus shipping and handling.)

The poster in question is identical in almost every way to the hundreds of other autographed posters we routinely sell for $12,000 less than what Candace paid. The only difference?  On this particular poster, my signature is accompanied by Glenn Beck’s, along with a few highly personalized, completely original, and decidedly juvenile artistic embellishments.

So – what can we deduce from the unexpected popularity surrounding this particular poster?

Can we assume that any spontaneous doodling by Glenn Beck will increase the value of a thing by approximately $12,000? Possibly.

May we infer that Candace is a woman of sophisticated taste and extraordinary generosity? Obviously.

Might we surmise that the entire notion of Work Ethic Scholarships is beginning to catch on, and that people are eager and willing to support them? Hopefully.

Whatever the reason, I want to personally acknowledge The Munificence of Candace, and thank everyone else who has bid on or purchased my C.R.A.P. (Collectibles Rare And Precious.) There’s more to come. I also want to thank Glenn Beck for getting the word out on The Blaze. Glenn’s personal contribution, combined with the support of his fans, has brought in well-over $50,000 to the Foundation. Frankly, that kind of largess leaves me speechless. (Though obviously, not wordless.)

To better express my gratitude, I’m going to fly to Dallas this week and present Glenn with the very first official copy of The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, hot off the presses. Hundreds of you have suggested we make these pledges available for purchase, and I’ve learned it’s usually best not to ignore the wishes of hundreds of people. Glenn however, deserves the first one. Candace will receive the second one — with my compliments — along with an assortment of newly released “Dirty Commencement Photos.”

Both the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge and new photos are now available HERE.  As always,100% of the money raised benefits the mikeroweWORKS Foundation.

Again, many thanks.

Mike

PS. The S.W.E.A.T Pledge means “Skills & Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo.” It’s part of the application package for mikeroweWORKS Scholarships. Along with C.R.A.P., it’s another indication that my reliance on acronyms is getting out of hand.

PPS. Like all scholarship recipients, mikeroweWORKS employees are also required to sign The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge. Although it’s illegal in the State of California to compel grown men and women to sign documents like this, I believe we’re exempt since I no longer hire adults.

Case in point – Caitlyn and Makenna – two of our newest and finest workers. Both of these girls have proven to be tireless, dedicated, and conscientious. They show up early, stay late, and seem content to work for skittles and pizza. Here you can see Makenna and Caitlyn signing The S.W.E.A.T. Pledge on their first day of work, moments before stuffing Candace’s $12,100 poster into a cardboard tube, printing out a mailing label, attaching it, and hand delivering it to the US Post Office.

PPPS. It was the 8 year old Makenna who suggested we waive the Shipping and Handling fee on Candace’s purchase. Her exact question was, “Excuse me, Mr. Rowe, but just how much money does a supporter of mikeroweWORKS need to spend on a piece of your C.R.A.P. before you cut them some slack on these tiresome and tertiary handling charges?”

Though mildly subversive, Makenna’s query was not without merit and led to a spontaneous board meeting to address the issue. After much deliberation, it was Caitlyn who proposed “The Candace Clause,” whereby “anyone who pays $10,000 or more for any piece of C.R.A.P. that weighs less than a phone book should be exempt from paying Shipping and Handling.”

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Mike