Meet John Nichols of Craft for Causes

Today we’d like to introduce you to John Nichols.

Thanks for sharing your story with us John. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After a successful 20 year career in financial services, I had an awakening (mid-life crisis). I decided to take my business acumen, contacts, work ethic and hustle to work on something that helps those in need. I started a non-profit Craft for Causes. Craft for Causes’ Mission is to collaborate with the Live Music industry and the Craft Brewery community to create profitable and memorable charitable experiences.

I love live music and the craft beer community (I personally quit drinking over 10 years ago). I bring those two groups together to raise money for various causes.

My first collaboration in 2017 raised over $62,000 to fund school music programs via Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation (www.mhopus.org). We had 40 brewers in 20 cities raising money to support the cause and promote the Wheels of Soul Tour with the Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Wood Brothers, and Hot Tuna.

This year we are helping to run Music in the Park ATL (www.musicintheparkatl.org). We are also working with The National Institute of Flamenco with their 31 Annual Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque (http://www.nationalinstituteofflamenco.org/National_Institute_of_Flamenco/Festival_Flamenco.html).

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
20 years in financial services was a ROLLER COASTER. Between the 100 year flood in the bond market in 1993, to the internet boom, Y2K, crazy bull markets and then the 2008 Financial Crisis it was anything but smooth.

Craft for Causes has been fairly smooth. Getting the brewers involved was the first obstacle. Getting them to write a check was the second. Traveling 14,000 miles, attending 21 shows in 20 cities in 32 days and sleeping in my van on the road was a grind but an experience of a lifetime.

I got the brewers from COLD CALLING. I did not know anyone in the industry other than 1 brewer in my hometown. I had not cold called in over 20 years.

Rounding up sponsors was not easy either. I definitely leaned on my friends and family to get it going. I hope to round up more big sponsors in the future.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Craft for Causes – what should we know?
We specialize in Collaborating! This business is nothing more than getting people to work together for a higher purpose than just making money and paying the bills.

I work for free.

I tried to create a WIN, WIN, WIN business model. The band/tour/event benefits from the promotion from the brewers. The brewers benefits from the promotion from the band. Last but not least the cause benefits from the money raised. EVERYONE WINS!!!!

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Too many to count….. My family first and foremost. When I left my old job a lot of people thought I lost my mind. My family backed me 100% from the jump.

My sponsors for helping cover my expenses to pull this thing off.

Working with homeless youth at New Day in Albuquerque, NM (www.ndnm.org) was the biggest factor in making the move I made. The youth opened my eyes to how much most people in our country are struggling just to eat, put a roof over their heads and paying their bills. These kids are AMAZING!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.craftforcauses.org
• Phone: 505-238-0722
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craft4causes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CraftsforCauses17/

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