JONAS BROTHERS MANIA!

I think you all know how much I love and admire the Jonas Brothers. I am not alone! Build-A-Bear Workshop has JONAS Mania! We are friends and fans of the Jonas Brothers and this furbulous trio has rocked their way into our hearts leaving a pawsitive mark on our history:

• September 2005, the Jonas Brothers performed LIVE at the Saint Louis Galleria to celebrate the Grand Opening of our Friends 2B Made store.

The F2BM store is about to open!

• August 2006, the Jonas Brothers performed LIVE in our Faneuil Hall Marketplace store.

A great day in Boston history

• March 2007, we sent the winner of our Friends Rock Sweepstakes to see them LIVE in concert at the Hannah Montana Best of Both Worlds Tour.
• October 2007, they made a special appearance at our 10th Birthday Celebration at the Saint Louis Galleria.
• November 2007, they performed their hit song “S.O.S.” LIVE on our float at the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.

We are BEAERY thankful for our JB friends

• AND…COMING SOON: September 2009 you can ROCK and ROLL with our NEW JONAS dog!

Yes! NOW the Jonas Brothers are bigger than EVER and we’re excited to announce the launch of this NEW furry friend coming to a store near you September 26!

Guests can make friends with this cute and cuddly rock star that includes an exclusive dog tag necklace and virtual guitar at buildabearville.com. It is soooooo soft too!

And that’s not all! To cele-bear-ate the arrival of this rockin’ new friend FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, Friday, September 25 from 6 – 8 p.m. we’ll host the JONAS Mania VIP Party! This is sneak peek event at EVERY store where Guests can be one of the first to make JONAS Dog. PLUS each dog will include a FREE shout-out recorded by the Jonas brothers. This is HUGE. The Jonas Brothers recorded this very special message just for our Guests and it’s ONLY available at this event with the purchase of Jonas Dog. This is sure to generate a lot of BUZZ and word-of-mouth advertising!

Check with your local store to see if they have any openings.
ONE shout-out available per JONAS Dog purchase. Limit 2 shout outs per Guest in attendance. Plus, just for attending Guests will receive a FREE backstage pass wristband and a FREE Jonas Brothers headshot with an exclusive virtual gift – a skinny vest and tie for their online character at buildabearville.com.

As if the party wasn’t exciting enough…to support the exciting launch of the JONAS Dog from September 25 through October 12, Guests can enter for a chance to win the Jonas Rock ‘N roll Sweepstakes! Disney Channel and Build-A-Bear Workshop will send the grand prize winner on a trip to meet the stars of JONAS…the Jonas Brothers! PLUS 100 First prize winners will win a JONAS dog

Don’t wait, come celebrate Jonas Mania with us! If you can’t make it Friday night, don’t worry we have plenty of Jonas dogs so come as soon as you can. I will be at our store in St. Louis standing in line…I hope I can sleep, I am so excited!

Hugs,
Maxine

A HUG IS UNDERSTOOD IN ANY LANGUAGE

It never ceases to amaze me how universal the hug of a teddy bear is. No matter where I travel or how far away from the USA I am I see children cuddling their furry friends and the Middle East is no different!

Smiles abound in every language!

Build-A-Bear Workshop opened this past week in Dubai to a throng of happy Guests. Dubai – The city that has risen from the desert has everything from the Burj Al Arab to the “The Needle in the Sky” (the Burj Dubai), indoor ski slopes within a mall, Palms and gigantic man made creations in the Arabian Gulf is now complete as it has it’s very own Build-A-Bear Workshop at the Dubai Festival City Mall. Festival City is the first of many stores to open in the Gulf States and none too soon!

Our first requests for stores in Dubai probably came about 8 years ago. Visitors and residents of Dubai crave the best brands of the world and Build-A-Bear Workshop is no exception. When we expand overseas we look for business partners who have the financial resources and experience to help recreate the magic that we have created in the USA. We are BEARY picky! While we want our Guests to have an easy and fun experience, it takes a lot to make this happen every day. The most important ingredient for success are great Bear Builders who understand what it means to make children of all ages smile. Thanks to our great leaders Zeyad and Anders and the support of Bear Builder Trainer Extraordinaire, Kathi Scott , we recruited a GREAT team and had a FURBULOUS opening!

The Festival City Team

At BABW we absolutely want to change lives through the hug of a teddy bear and one way we show our true hearts is through our partnerships with our landlords and other business partners.
These signs in the mall are an example of what can result as are the sales which doubled the projections!

Everyone wants to know where BABW is....

Children are amazing people and that is why so many of them are my friends. I am inspired by their hearts and souls and creativity. I am encouraged by how they see the world and how they deal with adversity. That is why I do what I do. I have the best job in the world.

What a smile!

 

Hugs to all,

Maxine

SCHOOL DAYS!

Ever since I was a little girl and in school I was anxious for summer to end and school to start. I remember making a chart and crossing off the days until school started and I could see my friends every day. School represented learning so many new things but also having fun and growing with my friends. And I have to admit, planning what I would wear everyday:)

Even though I am no longer in school I still get an extra spring in my step when I know school is about to start and the weather is getting ready to change. Every kid I speak to that has started school I am anxious to hear about their first day and what they are looking forward to this year. This year I feel especially excited about school starting in St. Louis, especially the city of St. Louis. You all know that I am very thankful for the education I received and that helped me get where I am and I want the same for all children.

It has been a tough time for urban school across our country and sometimes it seems that the work towards improvement is getting harder. In some ways, it is. The economy doesn’t make it easier to provide for any schools let alone the schools in the inner city where buildings are older and student population is dwindling.

I feel the tide is changing in favor of our children..FINALLY! In St. Louis Public Schools we have a new Superintendent, Dr. Kelvin Adams. Dr. Adams started last Fall but this is his first full year and he has had to close schools, change curriculum, fire ineffective principals and teachers, work out a new agreement with the teacher’s union, cut $53 million from the budget , hire new sr. staff and attract students back to the district with new programs. We could not have a better leader for SLPS. Dr. Adams is thoughtful and focused on the children and their education. He is supportive of community involvement and a “system of schools” that works for children. I am honored to know him and to learn from his steady and authoritative hand. He sets an example for children and adults.

This year our city children will also benefit from new charter schools like KIPP Inspire, The Language Immersion Academy and North City Charter School. Charter Schools are not new to St. Louis but the oversight and selection and prioritization of what charters will be in St. Louis is greatly improved. Thanks to Mayor Slay and his education guru Robbin Wahby, we are finally making progress. Standards have been raised and the entrepreneurs behind these schools are being given the visibility and opportunity to create the “system of schools” that Dr. Adams supports rather than just a school system. These new Charters (and there will be more) has also helped the local union leaders see that we must all work together to create great schools. Collaborations FOR children must take precedence over politics and we must raise the bar of excellence.

Another exciting step forward in SLPS is the fact that there are 28 new Principals. Two of the Principals are alumni of Teach For America and they are leading new pilot schools which have been championed by Dr. Adams. Nathalie Means and Lisa Nyuns are experienced education professionals who will make a difference for our children by creating a high bar for success. I am proud of what they have achieved. 55% of all of our St. Louis Corps Members stay in education which is a great credit to our community and to the opportunity they see to make a difference. Emily Masengale a Teach For America alum is one of 6 finalists for Missouri Teacher of the Year—we are BEARY proud of her. One more tidbit: Jeremy Esposito, the school leader at KIPP Inspire is also a TFA Alum!

Last Year Build-A-Bear Workshop helped jump start the funding for teacher projects throughout the USA through donorschoose.org. I have heard from hundreds of teachers about what this means to them and now we are putting a bigger press towards encouraging teachers to post their projects and donors to give. It does take a village to raise a bear and a classroom…. If you haven’t checked out this fabulous website to help public school teachers go now to http://www.donorchoose.org and become a citizen philanthropist now for as little as $5. It is micro financing at its best!

To all of my young BABW friends who are still in school, have a great year. We are counting on you to get the education you need to be a success in the future and hopefully future executives at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Hugs to all,

Maxine

BEING A REAL CELEB=BEING REALLY REAL

Tonight I had a special opportunity to see the Jonas Brothers in concert in St. Louis and it was a real treat. Not only did I get to go to the concert itself but the more private sound check that they do about 2 hrs before the real show.

The Jonas Bros live in St. Louis July 28, 2009-Sound Check

BABW has been a friend to the Jonas Brothers for years now. In fact, they were on our Macy’s float back in 2004 before anyone really knew who they were. They even tell us we helped make them famous. Then as a special gift to us, they came to our 10th birthday party in October 2007 at the Saint Louis Galleria where over 5000 young women showed up to celebrate with all of us. We can spot teddy bears a mile away and we knew these guys were special from the moment we met them and they have never let us down.

Maxine and friends & Jonas Bros- October,2007 BABW 10th Birthday

Today, they have grown into consummate performers in so many ways—singing of course but it is more than that—they are genuinely nice guys with big hearts and they remember where they have come from. They also know that music acts are a dime a dozen and to get where they are they had to work very hard and they are better for it. Their music has matured and they have appeal to a broad audience. They work the entire stage for over an hour and I mean work it. They have that rare talent of being able to look every Guest in the eye or so it feels. I predict they will be a group that stands the test of time. I could grow old with them

What is also great about the JoBros is how they are helping other groups be successful now. Their opening group was 4 young guys—Honor Society. The JB’s could see this as competition
But they don’t. They know how people helped them and they want to do at least that much for others. Another lead in group was a girl band from Korea, The Wonder Girls. They were also quite good and reminded me of a modern day Supremes. Lots of soul!

I know for sure that it takes a village to raise a bear or a band and the Jonas Village is headed by their parents—Kevin and Denise Jonas and they have done a great job! Add to that their BEARY smart manager, Phil McIntire who has been very strategic and focused on the longer term, big picture. GREAT JOB!

Kids write to me everyday and ask what it takes to be a celebrity, to be famous and I think the Jonas Brothers have nailed it:

1) Be the best you can be
2) Don’t let adversity get you down
3) Be genuine
4) Listen to your parents
5) Value your friends
6)  Be nice
7) Remember where you came from and help others get there too
8)  SMILE

Talk about valuing your friends—coming in September to Build-a-Bear Workshop world wide will be an exclusive Jonas Brothers stuffed animal. It may be the softest, cuddliest animal I have ever hugged! You can dress it like the guys themselves and even add their own music. Stay tuned for details about our private launch party—first come, first served and all will get a PAWSOME gift from BABW and the JoBros.

Thanks Kevin, Joe and Nick. You are a great example for us all. We love you in St. Louis for sure!

Hugs,
Maxine

LEADERS HUG THE WORLD

In just a few days, some “pawsome” young leaders are coming to St. Louis to be cele-bear-ated and I can hardly wait.  Those of you who read my blog know that to me heroes are  teachers, astronauts, community leaders–people who put others first! What makes them heroes you might ask? They have selflessly accepted the challenge to do their part to make their communities, schools and our world a better place. These young leaders are heroes in my mind, and at Build-A-Bear Workshop, we call them our Huggable Heroes.

We will have the privilege to honor and learn from 12 amazing individuals between the ages of 7-18 from the United States and Canada, as well as two of our beary own store associates, who have done a variety of things from helping animals and combating hunger, to supporting military troops, raising funds and awareness for medical conditions and disabilities, and helping children, countries and communities in need.

What I find most amazing is that collectively, our 2009 Huggable Heroes have raised funds and gathered items valued at more than $16 million and have volunteered more than 6,000 hours of their time throughout the year. And to think they have done all of this on top of going to school, playing sports, being involved in extracurricular activities, spending time with family and friends and just being kids.

While the Huggable Heroes are in St. Louis they will participate in leadership activities and work on a community service project to help a local St. Louis public school, Mason Elementary, get ready for the new school year. They will share their stories, network with one another and meet some truly incredible role models, one being Charles Best, Founder of Donorschoose.org.

DonorsChoose.org is an amazing organization that grew out of a Bronx high school where teachers experienced first-hand the scarcity of learning materials in public schools. Charles, then a social studies teacher, sensed that many people would like to help public schools in need, but were frustrated by a lack of influence over what would be done with their donations. Thus, DonorsChoose.org was created so that individuals like you, me, anyone and everyone, can connect directly with classrooms in need and help make sure that students in every community have the resources necessary to learn. What I love about DonorsChoose.org is that they empower teachers and those they term, “citizen philanthropists,” to become change makers. All of our Huggable Heroes, past and present, are “citizen philanthropists” in their own right. The 2009 Huggable Heroes will not only learn a lot from Charles, but I think they will teach him a few things as well.

To our 2009 class of Huggable Heroes, our 6th class — Bilaal, Brittany, Christine, Cody, Jenny, Katie, Kaylee Marie, Kendall, Max, Mimi, Patrick, Robbie — you are leaders in the truest sense. And, a special shout out to Coreen and Kim, this year’s store associate Huggable Heroes. You all are joining an amazing group of five classes of Huggable Heroes that have gone before you. They continue to grow their projects and impact others. I know this is just the beginning for all of you and I hope you see this time as a jumping off point to continue to cultivate your skills and grow your heart even more. I won’t be surprised to see many of you leading our country and our world into a very bright future.

Hugs and heartfelt thanks,
Maxine

ONE SMALL STEP IS ALL IT TAKES…TO START

In May of 1961 President Kennedy declared that America would land on the moon by the end of the decade in order to insure that outer space was space for all. All great leaders have a vision and they declare it and thus it is so. Roosevelt wanted a cure for polio and Kennedy wanted to conquer space and Obama to mend our health care and education systems.

It doesn’t happen in the words themselves or in weeks or even months. The greater the vision the longer the path and the larger the cost to get there successfully. This isn’t just true for medical science or rocket science—it is true in business and in the arts, in families and in local institutions. If it is worth having it will take time, dedication and human and capital resources to get there.

Saturday night I was at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC as part of the celebration of the 40 years. This event was a musical celebration to the historic NASA program and highlighted through incredible video footage and accompanying magnificent music performed by the National Symphony how far we have come.  Astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Scott Altman narrated. Music from Star Wars, Lost in Space, Star Trek filled the room. Our song, “Let’s Talk About Love” written by Tena Clark, was selected to be part of the program too and was sung by the wonderfully talented, Jamia.  Jamia even received a standing ovation!  Little did I know in 1997 when we started Build-A-Bear Workshop that a song we inspired would be part of this historic moment. It seems that the stars are aligned and that outer space welcomes the children that aspire to know it better.

As the world celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon walk on July 20, 1969, I am reminded of how this giant space endeavor changed the face of mankind (and bearkind too).  I remember the day as if it was yesterday. It all started in 1961 when I was in the 6th grade and Alan Shepherd burst from Cape Canaveral to spend a few moments in space. It culminated on that summer day in July–I was a counselor at a summer camp in Atlanta when the “eagle landed” and Neil Armstrong took his first steps onto the moon’s surface and said to the entire world, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

To some, the space program was expensive and hard to measure. It was both of those for sure but it was more than what we can directly measure in so many ways. There were countless experiments that have guided modern day scientists that we will probably never specifically tie to the space missions. Maybe it’s most important legacy is that it ignited a generation to take science and math seriously. I know many a child, me included,that dreamt of being an astronaut at some point in their childhood. The reality of being an astronaut was for the most elite—the bravest and smartest pioneers. You truly had to have the RIGHT STUFF as they say!

My childhood was full of examples of big dreams (and many costly ones) realized: the first organ transplant was performed, Disneyland and Disney World opened and astronauts walked on the moon. There was nothing to stop me from thinking about what could be because the unimaginable was becoming reality all the time. Thanks to that inspiration at such a young age I continue to live in a world of gigantic possibility. If someone can go to the moon than how hard is it to sell a few million bears a quarter or invent new places for people to buy stuffed animals? How hard is it to fix our urban public school systems? Our health care system?  It’s not easy–don’t get me wrong but it is not rocket science. It is all about perspective. It is all about leadership. It is about executing the vision.

Thank you to all of our brave astronauts for leading the charge and setting an example for generations of children! There are still many great bridges to cross and some will be solved through what we learn in space and others will be learned here on earth. We must continue to believe that we can and then WE WILL!! Happy Anniversary Apollo!

Hugs to all,

Maxine

WHAT MAKES A CELEBRITY?

I have often said that one of the best parts about being Chief Executive Bear is all the PAWSOME people I get to meet. Well, today was no exception!

It is Major League Baseball All Star Game weekend in St. Louis and many famous celebs are in town to cele-bear-ate. It is great for St. Louis and especially exciting for our BABW store at Busch Stadium where we are selling our All Star Bears like crazy!

Kids often ask me if they can be famous on BABV, be a celebrity like Chloe or Miguel or soon like our young star Itzel who won our Love.Hugs.Peace Singing contest or Jamia who will be singing the now famous song at NASA’s celebration of the anniversary of 40 years of Apollo? It always makes me smile when they ask that question and I always say, “Famous is what YOU make it. What do you believe in? What do you want to stand for in life?”

Today I met one of my heroes, a celebrity in my book for sure–Nancy Brinker. Nancy, a former retailer who trained under Stanley Marcus at N-M in Dallas, is the Founder of the Susan G. Komen For a Cure named after her sister Susan Goodman Komen, who died of breast cancer in 1980 at age 36. Through Nancy’s hard work and determination, millions of women have survived breast cancer and someday a cure will be found because she BELIEVED! Nancy’s determination to create a world without breast cancer is as she says, personal. A breast cancer survivor herself, Nancy describes the success of her grass roots global organization as a personal enlistment of every segment in society to get involved, to educate and to change policy. What started out modestly has grown to be the largest grass roots organization in the world and catapulted Nancy into many public positions including being appointed the United States Ambassador to Hungary. WOW!!

Nancy is a Midwestern girl from Peoria, IL and when you meet her, you feel like you have known her for years. She is genuine and down to earth but highly committed to her cause—now to save the world from breast cancer. What makes Nancy most down to earth is she does what she does out of passion and conviction and a belief that we can all make a difference. In my book she is every bit a hero and a celebrity. I am better for having met her today.

Next week our 2009 Huggable heroes will come to St. Louis to be honored and like Nancy, they BELIEVE! Thanks to Nancy Brinker and all of our heroes who believe that making a difference for others is the greatest celebrity of all.

Hugs,

Maxine

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I always feel appreciative to live in this great country and to be afforded the luxuries of being an American. I am probably one of the few people I know who prefers travel in the USA to travel elsewhere. So be it.

My parents were first generation Americans and they wanted my sister and me to have all the benefits afforded to children born in this great land—a quality public education, the opportunity to have the best health care in the world, the opportunity to live, work and vote in a democracy and the birthright to achieve your own greatest potential. As I look back on it, I have benefited from all of that and even more. It seems that as I take one path, I found at least two others that added greatly to me as a  person and also allowed me to add to it as well. Only in America, the land of opportunity is not just words in a song—it is the reality of what America brings and has always brought for immigrants looking for a brighter future. That has not changed…if anything it has gotten stronger. In my daily life in St. Louis or wherever I travel I meet people who have come here to have a better life and have added greatly to what is America and they are so proud to become true American citizens. They may know more about America then children lucky enough to be born here.

Last week while in my hometown of Miami, FL I was able to enjoy the diversity that has become Miami. Miami always had a Latin feel but that was furthered during the 1960’s when so many Cubans fled to Miami for a life of freedom. Thanks to all of these immigrants—so anxious for a future, that Miami was reborn and is today one of the hub cities in our country—a hot place literally and figuratively to live, work and play. No longer is it a place for just good weather and Spring Break pandemonium but it is a place where diverse cultures have come together to create a 21st century city like no other in America. It has not been easy nor has it been with out strife but it does work.

Not all immigrants to Miami are from Latin America. We met a man from Budapest at the Avis car rental who was so proud of just being granted his citizenship and the fact that his sons were in college and thriving. He spoke excellent English even though he was self conscious about it. His enthusiasm for what a good life he had in Miami and in America was understandable in any dialect. It was the sparkle in his eyes that really said it all. It is through his eyes and the eyes of all immigrants to our great country that we can see what we may take for granted—what freedom really means. How can we all understand how valuable it is if we have always had it? Aren’t we all immigrants of some sort? I immigrated from Florida to Missouri. I was an immigrant to the man’s world of business. Today I am a digital immigrant because I have had to learn technology where children today are born to it. I am an immigrant to all the things I have learned and still want to learn. I understand what it feels like to have to prove your sincerity, that freedom to achieve your true potential is not automatic—it still must be earned.

On this 4th of July weekend I am reminded of all the values I hold dear, all of the freedoms I have been granted and all of the responsibilities that come with being a citizen of this great country. I live in a state of happiness fueled by a passion for everything I am committed to: my company. The people I work with, my husband and friends, my community, my young Guests I meet each week, my industry, my gratitude for my good health and every breath I breathe in freedom. I know that I have created this happiness by choice. I do know it’s not just one choice that makes the difference—it is all of the mini choices that I have made along the way that have led me to this moment in time. The choices that I am able to make because I am an American citizen.

Hugs,

Maxine

YES, YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN!!

This past weekend was my high school reunion and it did not disappoint. At my age I am truly secure with my insecurities and so I could relax and enjoy this reunion.

We had a huge class—over 1200 when we graduated. While our attendance was low relative to that big number, I still never got to see everyone or give them a hug. Once a Cavalier, always a Cavalier.

I started the weekend with lunch with my old friends—my guy friends: Ron, Mike, Jeff and Jack and their wives and my sweet husband. It was a great way to start out and we got to spend some quality time together. It is these guys that I credit much of my success as a business person. I just never knew from discrimination. These special friends never treated me differently—to them I was a person and so that is how I have always thought of myself. Yes, I was a girl and I am a woman but to them that was neither here nor there—I was a friend.

Lunch at Yardhouse on Friday--so much fun!

My friend Mike Davis, now a doctor in Houston, asked me what I think was a key aspect of my growing up that made me so successful and I said it was no doubt my friends. I have always been blessed to have many wonderful and different friends. They have helped add greatly to the person I am today in so many ways.

Friday night was a casual party and saw some great friends who were not able to come to the Saturday event: John Kemeny and Maxine Kamin to name a few. We had a great chat and I hope it is not a long time between the next visit. Mrs. Adams and Ms Reitsma also attended.

Saturday, my best friend ever, Connie Knight, an artist, and I had a wonderful lunch at The Biltmore. Just two girl friends together like the old days. We talked about family, friends, books and travel. Hopefully she will come and visit me soon. Connie and I met in the 5th grade and we have stayed in touch all these years, through thick and thin. Today we can proudly say we have been friends for 50 years!

Connie Knight and Anna Spinale Rhodes

Saturday night was the fancier party and more people attended including some of our former teachers—Jeff Rosinek and Dan Finora. My two senior homeroom neighbors were there and we took a pix—Kaplan, Kasselman and Katzen..in alpha order! Alan Kaplan is a dentist and Joani Katzen Stein is a teacher. Both of them live in the Miami area. I was also happy to see so many friends who have scattered farther away like Bill and Sally Kerestes who also dated in high school, Ward and Mary Julia Hiss who live in Georgia and Knox Rodgers and Frank Kendricks, Rocky Young and Tom Williams, Pam Peterson, Kitty Peters and Anne McDonald. Many names too numerous to mention but all who hold a special place in my heart. We were the Pepsi generation and we still have much to accomplish. We created bear centerpieces for all the tables themed to our high school years: surfer boy and girl, Harley, prom, football, prepster and hippies too. The bears were a hit!

Maxine and Bill--NFL Calender 1967

Thanks to all of the reunion committee—Daru, Alex, Art, Anne especially for all you did to make this event happen. It mattered. To all of you who might be reading this and think a reunion is a joke or not worth attending, think again. In order to truly move forward, you have to know where you have come from and appreciate your past. It should not be erased but rather it should be built upon.

Hugs to all my Cavalier classmates and teachers—you will always be in my heart! Thanks for being a part of my life for all these years.

Maxine Kasselman Clark
Coral Gables High School
Class of 1967

MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND KEEP THE OLD

This is a big weekend for me. I am attending my high school reunion in Coral Gables, FL and I am very excited. I am one of those people that loved my childhood—I was very blessed in so many ways. My family was of very simple means but we had a good home in a great neighborhood which allowed me to attend incredible schools and make lifelong friends.

I have even a friend today that I met in kindergarten—Abby Kolber Ross. Her son graduated from Wash U Law School last year and we were able to reconnect. I had dinner with her and her husband David last month when I was in Miami for the Silver Knight Awards. Joining us for dinner was Jeff Rosinek and his wife and we had a great time. Jeff was my high school government teacher and what an incredible teacher he was!

I was very lucky to have guy friends as a young girl and it is these particular friendships that had a huge impact on my sense of self. Mike Davis and Ron Hagen were two of my best friends and I think my image of myself as a viable and credible person was molded by the fact that we were such good friends. They never treated me like a third wheel or a dumb girl but as a friend, an equal. Mike and I were friends since the 4th grade and Ron joined us when we went to junior high. We had great times at each others homes with other friends like Jeff Apple and Laurie Ross. We often talked into the night via telephone. For the life of me I cannot remember what we had to talk about because we had seen each other at school but we never seemed to run short of thoughts or dreams to share. Mike is a doctor in Houston and Ron a dentist in Miami and Jeff a movie producer in Los Angeles. We have all had our share of ups and downs –mostly ups I am glad to say, and while we don’t see each other often, we are able to connect immediately when we do reunite. I can’t wait to see them and spend time with their wives too.

My best, best friend Connie Knight will also be there. We first met in the 5th grade and have been friends ever since. Connie lives in NC now and is an incredible artist. She has two grown children. Her daughter Ariel looks exactly like her mom! It is pretty amazing when your friendships can span nearly 50 years. Now Facebook is making it easy to reconnect with old friends. That to me is the best party of Facebook—being able to reconnect!

Lucky me… thanks to Build-A-Bear Workshop I also have many more wonderful friends– my work partners and our Guests who add so much to my daily life. Thanks to my childhood friendships I know the value of having and being a friend and I do not take it lightly. In fact BABW is founded on friendship and therefore our tagline…”Where Best Friends are Made.”

On Buildabearville.com I have lots of friends, young Guests who have a similar passion for stuffed animals and friendship. The internet and especially virtual world communities makes it very easy to make “friends.” The verdict is out on whether lifelong friends can be forged this way but who knows. I do think it is important to be the same kind of friend to your online friend as you are to your real world friends. In fact, the true test of a person is how they act when they think they are not being seen or when they are actual almost anonymous. That is when your true nature shows up. I do believe you can make many acquaintances this way, don’t get me wrong but true friends take a lot more effort. I am still a believer in being able to look someone in the eye and say, “I am your true friend.”
Some people think no one will ever know how they really are so they can be a bully and act like a big shot.

I do think the virtual world, one like Buildabearville.com, is a place to relax and pretend and have fun. Why not pretend to be a better person, a more charitable person than you are in the real world, a better friend, a harder worker, a better sister or brother or son or daughter and see how much can trade off to your real life. Set even higher standards for being true to your word. Imagine if all the online friendships that were forged were because we wanted to become better people, not jerks or bullies? Maybe the virtual world behaviors we can create will stamp out people who want to be mean because random acts of kindness will be so much easier and fun and rewarding and maybe contagious and habit forming.
I look forward to that day. Thanks to all the BEARY good citizens of BABV who set a high standard for being good citizens and good friends real and virtual!

Love. Hugs. Peace to all,

Maxine