Monks in Roman Catholic monasteries are expected to support themselves, balancing a life of prayer and work according to the sixth-century Rule of St. Benedict. Some monasteries make cheese, others make jam, chocolate or wine.
The monks here at the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank make their money from the sale of ink and toner cartridges, and little of the labor is their own.
The Rev. Bernard McCoy, the monastery’s superior, had the idea for LaseMonks.com. But the enterprise really took off when the monks turned it over to two entrepreneurial laywomen who originally came from Colorado to give them advice and never left.
What a delightful story - here is Fr. Bernard McCoy, a Cistercian monk, who had this idea about his Wisconsin monastery selling refurbished ink cartridges. Here are Sarah Caniglia and Cindy Griffith, who had such a business in Colorado and wanted to sell it. The two ladies come out to sell the database of customers and give some advice . . . and never leave, instead staying to run the monastery's business and keep it in the black.
So I went to LaserMonks.com to check out there prices for one of my printers. I was surprised - a cartridge that normally I would buy at around $15.95 at Staples is selling for $5.25. Hey! It is a remanufactured one, but at that price I have to buy some and try them out. Might even pick up some Trappist jam, too.
7 comments:
From personal experience, Trappist jam is delicious.
I'll have to check out Laser Monks for ink.
They have doggie biscuits too!
Thanks!
We will give them some business and I'll pass the info. on to Fr. Scott.
There is a Trappist monastery in Canon City. It almost closed down in the early '80's, until some of the younger monks decided to purchase a vineyard and ferment and bottle wine. Its been a great success.
A favorable mention from the winner of the coveted Bat Shit Crazy Award is even better than being in the Times this morning!
Thanks for the recommendation!
Don't forget the Coffee Monks of Wyoming!
LaserMonks coffee freshly roasted fairly traded, socially responsible, good for the soul.
Wyoming monks - good coffee.
LaserMonks - divine coffee.
I've been to this monestary and they rock. The work they do is brilliant, and I know because I had Sarah Caniglia do some work for my non-profit a couple of years ago. They were professional and helpful and their work was top notch.
I'm very glad someone else knows about these guys. Buy their stuff. Punto!
Post a Comment