EXCLUSIVE HISTORY AND INTERVIEW
Sir Koff-A-Lot Bears
While conducting research on bears I ran across an article
which caught my attention. This article described how two cardiovascular
surgeons, Drs. Larry and Carolyn Shaffer had designed a line of
bears for their patients. Needless to say I was intrigued and
wanted to learn more.
I contacted Karen A Shirey, president of Muffin Enterprises,
Inc. an organization which distributes these bears to hospitals,
physicians and the general public.
Karen purchased the company from Dr. Lawrence Schaffer in
1990. Karen was extremely helpful with information and sent two
bears for my research.
Muffin Enterprises, Inc. works with several national and international
organizations and has developed many special logo bears for these
groups. Muffin Enterprises also is the developer and distributor
of the official Good Bears of the World Teddy Bears. These bears
are distributed to children and elderly patients in need.
Dr. Shaffer was once a member of Good Bears and Karen thought
his bears would be a good tie-in with the bear world. Good Bears
were being manufactured by R. Dakin Company. Dakin was experiencing
problems with its bear source in Asia. Karen was asked to make
a prototype bear.
Karen successfully produced a third edition Good Bear and
introduced it at the Teddy Bear Jubilee in Kansas City in June
of 1991.
Karen's success and involvement with Bears and Good Bears
has been recognized worldwide. Karen has been credited as being
a good friend, a counselor, a supplier and a very generous person.
BIO:
Karen Ann Olson Shirey, married 35 years, mother of two
sons (Scott and Michael) (Scott is VP of Muffin Enterprises),
grandmother of two .
Holds BS in Sec. Ed. (Math and English) from Indiana University
of PA, Indiana, PA and a Masters of Education (Counseling) from
John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH.
Taught high school and college while moving 22 times in 24
years as wife of career Army officer.
Left teaching, per se, to do administrative work (Personnel/Human
Resources) with PA School Boards Assn., CBS television station,
national rehab hospital organization, and large medical practice.
HOW AND WHY I PURCHASED THE BUSINESS (BEARS)
While working at the medical practice, Shaffer
Cardiovascular Associates, I was asked by the husband/wife owners
(Drs. Larry and Carolyn Shaffer who were cardiovascular surgeons)
to investigate why "Muffin Enterprises Inc." was in
trouble financially. I found that there had been several fiscal
decisions made which were the reasons for the problem. I also
found that the individuals running the business were paying themselves
but not paying their suppliers. While I was taking steps to correct
the problems, the owners went through a divorce. Dr. Larry Shaffer
received Muffin Enterprises Inc. He was not interested in running
the business so he offered it to me if I would assume the $60,000
debt that was in place and the legal costs which were incurred
in a law suit with former employees who copied the product. I
agreed to do so as I believed in Sir Koff-A-Lot's valuable importance
for patients recovering from surgery - and I knew I could make
the company viable again. I bought the business in Sept. 1990.
COMPANY PROFILE:
When I bought the business in 1990, we were distributing
approximately 18,000 Sir Koff-A-Lot bears per year. In 1998, we
presently distribute 35,000 Sir Koff-A-Lot bears per year. In
addition, we serve as the official distributor for "Good
Bears of the World" and do approximately 20,000 GBW bears/year.
We also provide 8,000 "Rudy Ruritan" Bears for Ruritan
National (a non-profit organization that focuses on volunteer
efforts in your local communities) and 5,000 "Sir Care-A-Lot"
Bears for the National Exchange Club (a non-profit organization
that focuses on preventing Child Abuse). We also do 1000's of
soft cuddly bears and critters for hospitals and medical practices
as well as hundreds of soft logo animals for fund raising groups.
Bottom line is that in 1990 we were a $200,000 company; this year
we will approach $600,000.
DIFFICULT TASKS IN PRODUCING AND MANUFACTURING
BEARS:
Maintaining the high quality of Sir Koff-A-Lot
is essential as patients in critical care units use it. I have
been blessed to work with a manufacturer who has high standards
re: the quality, consistency, and safety of all the pieces we
purchase through him. Sir Koff-A-Lot bears are made here in the
US to ensure their quality, consistent firmness, and safety. The
GBW/Ruritan/National Exchange Club bears are imported through
the manufacturer of Sir Koff-A-Lot.
Learning how to order/manage inventory needs was a challenge
in the beginning. Dealing with the fluctuations in delivery schedules
on imported pieces is always a challenge.
There have been over 300,000 Sir Koff-A-Lot bears distributed
to patients recovering from surgery since the bears were developed
in 1985. Presently Muffin Enterprises distributes over 75000 bears/year
(this includes 35,000 Sir Koff-A-Lot bears and other specialty
bears as well as logo fund raising items).
Sir Koff-A-Lot has changed my life in many ways. The greatest
change is that I've been introduced to the world of teddy bears
and the wonderful, caring people in that world. A teddy bear is
the universal symbol of love and caring. Being able to help and
comfort people through our product makes every day special. We
receive countless calls and letters from folks who have used Sir
Koff-A-Lot saying he has become a friend for life. Distributing
"Good Bears of the World" has introduced me to hundreds
of teddy bear artists and wonderful people who give back to their
communities via presenting teddy bears to folks who need a hug.
Making Muffin Enterprises fiscally sound and growing provides
many challenges. I have always responded positively to the challenges/opportunities
to succeed in life, and I thrive on doing so. Doing it in a teddy
bear world makes it even more rewarding.
The Sir Koff-A-Lot Bears were developed for patients
who found post-operative respirator therapy very painful.
Since 1984 over 300,000 patients have benefited by the use
of these bears. The bears were designed to be the correct median
length for splinting incisions for adults (Sir Koff-A-Lot) and
for children the (Kiddie Kub). The bears' firm, flat seamless
backs serve as splints for patients' incisions during respiratory
therapy, exerting a counterforce designed to absorb the pain of
this therapy.
The bears are made in the USA and stuffed with hypoallergenic
foam. The bears are also machine washable/dryable and exceed all
state and Federal guidelines.
The bears can be personalized with medical logos and come
in six different color combinations. The bears wear T-shirt's
which can be imprinted in many colors and accompany any message
or logo.
If you are interested in learning more about Karen or Sir
Koff-A-Lot Bears, please feel free to contact her at the following.
I would like to thank Karen for the opportunity to share her
fascinating story.
It's very refreshing to learn that bears can not only be a
collectible but also be something that helps individuals recover.
Karen's persistence to strive towards the continued manufacturing
of these bears and helping others should be a lesson to us all.
Don't ever take anything for granted, not even a bear. One day
that bear could help make someone's life a little more comfortable;
it may even be someone you know!
I commend Karen for her efforts and wish her continued success.
