Madison won the December rabble rouser of the month award after being kicked out of the Saturday market for trying to sell mistletoe to pay for her braces. This was an email interview she provided.
January 16, 2014
This is Madison and my Dad answering.
How did you come up with the idea to sell mistletoe to pay for your braces?
My Dad sold Mistletoe when he was young and then he helped my cousin raise money once for a hockey camp. I remember my Dad telling me those stories, so, because I wanted braces so bad I just kept thinking of ways to get them and remembered what my Dad and cousin did to earn money. I told my Dad that I could do the same thing. He supported the idea because he was having a hard time coming up with the down payment which was $1,260 and then payments of $200 per month until $4,450 more dollars was paid.
About how much mistletoe did you expect to sell to get to enough money to cover the cost of getting braces?
I wasn't expecting to pay for all of my braces, just help with some of the down payment. My goal was 100 bags at $4 per bag, so $400 total was what I had in mind to contribute.
What was your feeling or reaction when you were first told that you couldn't be at the market?
I was pretty upset, but I didn't get too depressed because I thought door-to-door in neighborhoods would work too. What made me most upset was the fact that they told me that I could beg for money but not sell. I couldn't even give away mistletoe and ask for a donation. But, others around me were drumming and juggling with a tip jar in front of them. Another group of people were flat out begging for money for pot.
After this experience, did you feel a purpose greater than just earning money for your braces? Such as standing up for your right or proving a point.
I realized that after the story was on the news that my talks hit a nerve. I suddenly was getting about 30 calls a day from all over the world wanting to interview me. I was on The Kelly File with Megyn Kelly, Sean Hannity, The Five, Glenn Beck, Lars Larson, Fox and Friends, the Oregonian, and about 10 other television and radio shows. The big thing was/is that I am willing and able to work, but told that I couldn't, but I could beg. It's the same other places too. We are teaching people to expect and take handouts, even when the person could work instead.
How well did the exposure from newspaper and such help your cause? How many orders did you get? Where all did you have orders come in from?
The orders came from all over the world. I sold about 10,000 bags total. Glenn Beck put them on his website and sold 6,000 for me alone.
How are your teeth doing now?
Just this last Wednesday I had my first checkup and the teeth are doing what they are suppose to do. Moving just a little bit each day.
How will you go about paying for the remainder of the procedures?
I raised enough money that I was able to pay for ALL of my braces AND ALL of the braces for my cousin who couldn't afford them either. I also bought a MAC BOOK PRO, a digital video camera, some Christmas presents, and have money left over to put towards my business that this whole experience started. I want to find out about other things that don't seem right in the world and also discover what makes successful people successful.
Overall, what did you learn from this experience? Has it changed the way you deal with people?
I learned what I already knew really which is to work hard and don't take no for an answer. I always loved public speaking, so the interviews got me even more comfortable.
What other goals do you have in mind for the future? And what ideas do you have for accomplishing them?
Like I said above. Finding out what a person needs to be successful. I'm putting together a website now that will have video, a blog and articles. I'm going to be interviewing Glenn Beck first. He is flying me to Dallas to be on his show again and to help me with my goals of putting together my website and maybe even making me a regular Kid Correspondent on his show and others.
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