Accomplished bullshit detector/Jaded CEO. Seafood warlord with "warlord" being one word. If you know, you know.
February 4. This is the day that we have chosen to remember someone we miss every day. February 4 would be Joe Klaips' birthday. And though he is not here to join us, believe me, he would remind you that he might be getting older, but there's no way in hell he is maturing. Joe was a business acquaintance first, a counselor and consultant next, a mentor, and most importantly, a friend. My best. Joe had extensive experience in the worlds of; manufacturing, distribution, food, seafood and food service distribution. But mostly, Joe had experience in life that he coupled with the unique ability to share in such a way that you valued his thoughts, even when he disagreed with you and strongly worded such disagreement. Joe and I had many of such disagreements, which always ended in each of us laughing at one another. And then at ourselves. Joe's grey hairs still sit interwoven in my desk chairs, and that is the metaphor that best describes how Joe is interwoven in me. I'm still learning the many lessons from such togetherness I will always have with Joe. I am no longer fighting back the tears, I am letting them flow as I write this, so on to the good stuff: I have no other way to honor Joe, the lessons he taught me, the love and friendship he gave to me than to find a way to help others through the grief. And while the grief does not go away, this is how we help. On the business day closest to Joe's birthday, we donate 1% of sales on that day to charity. If you know our business, you know that's generous. The charities we give to are focused on; cancer, hunger, children, poverty and whenever we can find a connection, we rope seafood into it. Consider placing an order. It would mean the world to me and others. Since 2014, we've donated nearly $50,000 in honor of Joe's memory. And if you don't like me, or don't want to order, start this initiative at your business. This year, our hearts are extra heavy with the news that a close friend is going through her own battle. We will drive our efforts on Monday, February 5 in her honor.
