Meet Jamie Foltz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie Foltz. 

Jamie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After 12 years fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities, I knew there was still so much good in the world. I saw it every day through volunteers, donors, and even families staying at the House. But I also knew that not everyone had the opportunity to see it the way that I did. So, I decided it was time to make some change. I left my job and started a magazine to showcase more of the good around us. 

I wanted to give people a reason to feel more joy and happiness. I wanted to help people find ways to give back to good causes. I wanted to showcase good humans doing great things. I wanted to recognize companies that put people over profit. I wanted to share small ways we can all do better. 

While I had many struggles getting the business through a global pandemic, I’m more determined than ever to keep going, to keep bringing as much joy and happiness to the masses as possible. The magazine, titled The Giraffe Effect, is printed quarterly. It’s filled with stories of good humans, causes, and companies. Every issue includes The Happy Planner, Tear & Share Compliment Cards, a section for good advice, and even inspired artwork on pages that can be torn out and framed or displayed to bring more positivity to any space. 

It’s titled The Giraffe Effect because I believe that the majestic giraffe represents all things good. The giraffe was my mom’s favorite animal, and after she passed away from pancreatic cancer, I learned everything I could about them. The giraffe has a huge heart, weighing upwards of 25 pounds. They always stand tall. Giraffes are born more than six feet tall, and male giraffes can grow to be over 18 feet. They always keep their head held high because they’re incredibly vulnerable when they don’t. Just like human fingerprints, giraffes all have completely unique patterns on their skin. No giraffe looks like another. They travel in groups called Towers, and there is no hierarchy in a tower. So, even though they all look entirely different, they’re all equal in the eyes of the other giraffes. And they stick their neck out for others. If we can all emulate more of the qualities of the giraffe, we can create ripples of good. And that is The Giraffe Effect. 

As the company has continued to evolve, we recently launched The Kind Kit, a subscription box filled with five ready-to-execute acts of kindness. Each box has four acts you do for someone else and one that’s just for you. It’s all about helping people find small ways to do good. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I like to believe that the old African proverb, “smooth seas do not make skillful sailors,” is true because this journey has been anything but smooth. Months after I started the company in 2019, we faced a global pandemic that completely altered our entire business model. 

In the summer of 2021, we learned that the original name of our company had incredibly negative connotations in some communities. Knowing that my entire intention was to bring more joy and happiness to the world, I decided to make a change. Within three weeks, the company name and the name our publication was changed. 

Though the biggest hurdle came for me personally in March of 2022. That’s when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’ve spent the past six months facing uncertainties, multiple surgeries, and unexpected hospital stays. It’s all caused me to stop, rest, and let my body heal. It also reminded me how much love and kindness exist in this world. It allowed me to find “My Tower” of people I know will be there for me in the most incredible ways. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I like to take risks to explore change. I’m adaptable and strategic in my work and love finding creative ways to do things. I firmly believe that no one follows a pessimist into battle, and for that, I try my best to keep a sense of positivity and optimism about me whenever possible. I’ve led teams that excelled in every aspect of their work, and I want to believe it’s partly because I showed them how much I believed in them every single day. 

I’m probably most known for being good at finding the silver lining in almost any situation. I see obstacles as opportunities and fear as a chance to be courageous. I am an “imperfectionst” who is okay with not having the most organized desk or structured schedule. I hope it helps my readers see that authenticity is appreciated far more than the appearance of perfection. 

While my company is still very new, I’m most proud of the fact that I started it in the first place. I left a very stable job I loved to take that leap. But I did it because I was tired of all the negativity and hatred and wanted to try and change it. I had no idea how to run a media company or publish a magazine. My experience has been in writing, fundraising, and event planning, not reporting, editing, design, web development, social media, or accounting. Definitely not accounting. But I taught myself the basics and have finally grasped the concept that finished and imperfect is better than perfect but not finished. 

I like to think that I’m real and that I’ll always stand up for what I believe in. It’s not always easy to make the choice to do the difficult thing, especially when the difficult thing may ruffle some feathers. But that’s what sticking your neck out means. I hope I always find the courage to fight for the things that matter. 

What do you think about luck?
I don’t know that I necessarily believe in luck. If I did, I’d say I’ve had my share of both. I prefer to believe that what I put out into the world, I get back. I’ve seen the power of positive thinking at work, and, for me, it’s the only way to live. 

Pricing:

• The Giraffe Effect Subscription – $49/year
• The Kind Kit – $39/quarter
• Be a Giraffe Long Sleeved Tee – $34
• I Am Somebody Tank Top – $27

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TheGiraffeEffect.com
• Instagram: @giraffeeffect @jmefoltz
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/giraffeeffect
• Other: https://giraffe-happy-apparel-goods.myshopify.com/