Small Business and Green Initiatives: Packaging and Supplies @ Escanaba Polo Mallet Co.

Our environment has become extremely important and companies are trying to find the best way to go green. Green initiatives are very important to a company's reputation and to enhancing corporate social responsibility. Small businesses don't have the financial cushion or healthy profit margins that are sometimes needed to implement green practices. However, sometimes they can find little changes that can help. 

Escanaba Polo Mallet Company is a small start-up that supports prosocial and positive community action. It isn't a large production but seeks to create a brand by instilling the best practices in terms of customer service, quality, and functionality. In our case, we are using two green initiatives that include mostly reusable materials for production and reusable packaging (That is a big one for companies.).

That isn't a huge change for us as our mallets are made from bamboo/rattan poles that we straighten. Many companies sort of dump hundreds of those to find a few very straight ones. We learned how to straighten them ourselves. Our heads are made from hardwood that is a supply we can find in the area and thus reduce our carbon footprint. 

Our packaging is also made from reusable paper bags. While it would be more convenient to just have custom cardboard boxes it would add significantly to the cost. Reused paper bags aren't as beautiful as a box but cheaper to ship and easy to find (We may want to put a sticker on them so people now we are using green packaging.). 

Protecting our Environment

Here are a few ideas that might help your small business find some green practices. 

1.) Is there an adjustment you can make in your materials.

2.) Think about packaging and how that adds to waste. i.e. less plastic.

3.) Are there other uses for left over materials like saw dust.

4.) Can you buy supplies from companies that engage in green practices. 

5.) Is your supply chain local/regional and smaller carbon footprint.

You may review and purchase one of our mallets at https://www.escanabapolomallet.com/

Improving Tripartite Mallet Handles Based on Customer Feedback

Customer feedback provides opportunities to understand what customers want and where they are willing to spend their resources. As a business approach, if you accept and review feedback from customers you also begin to develop a method of improving your products. Product returns are more than a financial loss as they also reflect negatively on the product. We took to heart the lesson we learned from a returned tripartite polo mallet. 

The tripartite polo mallet was designed to have a stronger shaft by using three smaller shafts versus one larger one. As with all products there are advantages and disadvantages. 

Disadvantages: 

1.) The handle felt off because of the way the shafts come together. 

2.) Slightly heavier than the single shaft mallet (Not excessive but a little more. Might need to update the description.).

3.) Less snap than a regular mallet. 

Advantages:

1.) Stronger shaft that is hard to break.

2.) Affordable price for beginners

3.) New options in mallet development. 

We always want to improve our mallets and one of the biggest things we could fix is the feeling/design of the handle. The handle was filled out in a way that creates a "rounder" feeling without the hard edges. We will make the mallets this way and see if our customers like the new handles and if that solves a problem for them. If it solves the problem we have taken a leap forward in the development of this design.

Using customer feedback as a loop for improvement helps to ensure that your products are continuously adjusting upward to meet market needs. It also can help your bottom line as upgrades through R&D leads to less returns (often calculated in $ and by %) and higher market value. An additional benefit is that the products also improve and in turn become more competitive as a contributory factor to the brand. 

World Snow Polo Championship Final (2021)

The Polo Shot that Says "WOW" This Game is Exciting!

Polo is a great game and I'm definitely a fan! Recently, I had an opportunity to watch a the Herring Cup Games in California that supports high school polo. Of course I took my camera with me and moved to the sidelines. As an action packed sport you sometimes can get a great shot and perhaps an excellent video! 

What to Look for When Buying a Polo Mallet?

A polo mallet is an extension of your natural abilities and essential to the game of polo so you want to make sure that you get the best mallet for you. Each mallet has specific features that can enhance play reach for better performance. While price is sometimes a determiner of value it isn't the only thing you can look for. Quality mallets are about characteristics and quality versus price alone. 

I have heard people say many times over that the value of a product is on its quality. With that being said the features of the mallet and their quality should be considered before making a purchase. These are a few things I might look for when buying a mallet.

1. Heads: Solid wooden head. Many players don't know this but there are many different kinds of heads in the ancient game of polo. You want a little density to create a hard snap on the ball but not so much to make the mallet heavy.

2. Shafts: You will have to decide if you want a composite or a natural shaft. Personally I like natural shafts for the play and feel. Some games may require one over another. Be mindful of your local rules and buy what make sense to you.

3. Length: The mallet should be able to reach/near the ground for easy hitting of the ball. 52" is very common for a size but there are times when a 53" or 54" might be helpful if the horse is larger.

4. Construction: Look for quality work. There are some lower quality versions you can get that have all of the beautiful stickers and other dressing type enhancement. Look past all that into the construction of the club and its quality from handle to head.

5. Company: If your going to do business with a company try and do so with one that supports good corporate citizenship. Personally, I prefer American companies but there are not many American producers. 

The Importance of Donating to Charities (3Q 2021) (Escanaba Polo Mallet Co.)

Mexican Orphans "Day 4"
CC

Its important for businesses to be good actors and citizens in the world. Company profits are important but so is donating to good causes. While Escanaba Polo Mallet Co is a small start-up it seeks to move into the polo club-gear market starting out right and with the right values. Yes, we want to make profits AND we want to help our community though supporting important causes. While it doesn't seem lot of money we donate a percentage of every sale to help others. It all adds up! We encourage you to do the same if you have a business.

Corazona de Vida is an organization that supports orphans. You can donate to this organization through the donation site (I would like to see if I can raise the dollar amount through writing about it. A long term goal of considering funding an entire orphanage.). For your review, "Corazon de Vida (CDV) is a 26+ year US 501c3 non-profit organization providing life-changing support for orphaned and abandoned children in Baja, Mexico by funding local orphanages, providing quality of life improvement services and investing in the children’s future by funding higher education." Donation Site

World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Inc. helps to support gifted children around the world. 

"The World Council for Gifted and Talented Children, Inc. (WCGTC®) is a worldwide nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and support for gifted children. The WCGTC® is a diverse organization networking the globe with an active membership of educators, scholars, researchers, parents, and others interested in the development and education of gifted and talented children of all ages."

Escanaba Polo Mallet Co. is a small scale start-up that seeks to understand the process of developing a business from the perspective of those who begin with little funs. Thus, we are a "learning lab" of types and share that knowledge for other small businesses. We also donate a significant amount our profits to good causes. https://www.escanabapolomallet.com/

Introducing the Trident Polo Mallet Market Break Price

Introducing the Trident Polo Mallet. It has three separate smaller poles bonded into one that makes it more durable than a traditional mallet. The functionality may also be a little better. Trying something new sometimes leads to improvement in game play. It is currently retailing at an introductory price $50 with free shipping within US. (subject to change. Putting at an expiration date in like 12-02-2021 helps to manage when prices must adjust upwards.) Please send $50 to Pay Pal Link

Listing Information:

New design trident mallet is stronger and more durable than the traditional single shaft method.
With three (3) smaller shafts you can strength in the shaft as well as additional play advantages.
This is a new generation of mallet that builds off of traditional models to improve the play and feel of playing. This product is made in the US and supports the play of the game.

You will also find each mallet to be slightly different as the design as we hand make these mallets and
continue to work on their design. We want your feedback after you bought one so please send us a
message about what you thought (good or bad) as we improve our product with it.

The goal is to create a socially responsible business that gives 50% of profits to charities such as
orphans, horses, gifted children or local charities.

52 (If you need a different size contact us)
USA Made. Not a lot of mallets are custom made in the U.S.

Free Shipping
Light
Durable Cotton wrist strap ++
Easy non-slip grip
Hardwood mallet head.
Play or decoration.
CUSTOMERS SAY THEY LOVE OUR HANDLES!!!
New under rubber comfort undercoating on handle. ++
Each mallet is handmade and can be customized upon request.
There may be some difference in each mallet because they are not machined.
Unique non-slip comfort handle.
This a mallet that is great custom for practice or play. Because it is custom there may be
small differences between mallet to mallet.
Much of the profits go to horse charities and orphans.
Can custom cut 50 to 55". 52" is the default size we will send to you.

Because each item is handmade there may be some variations in the product.
Handmade products are custom and that is what gives them their unique flavor.
Each one is unique in some way. Please send $50 to Pay Pal Link