INDIANAPOLIS—June 18, 2007—Local entrepreneur, author and noted philanthropist Lorene Burkhart announces today the formation of Burkhart Network LLC. As founder and owner of the company, Burkhart is pursuing the development and release of books for children and adults along with themed products related to the written word. Burkhart believes everything in life has a positive moral story, so each book or product will instill a lesson and/or feeling of inspiration.
At 73, Burkhart has combined her passion for writing and philanthropy to share what she’s learned in life and continue to give back to the community. The company’s tagline is Business for Causes. “As our company logo demonstrates, I’m at the center, filled with energy and creativity providing focus for the company. That focus revolves around life’s experiences and continues to rotate via the books and theme items we’re developing and bringing to market. The rotating circles, stars and sunrays are the projects, people and causes who benefit from the nucleus of energy.”
A portion of profits from each of the company’s books or products will benefit a community non-profit or related cause.
Burkhart has tapped a number of local entrepreneurs to assist, counsel and guide her as products and books are launched in the marketplace. The project team currently includes Compton Strategies, Konfirst Consulting, Hostetler Public Relations, the WriteStuff iPR and Word Crafter, Inc.
First Product: Raccoon Tales
Burkhart Network will test market the company’s first product, Raccoon Tales, a series of children’s board books, in Indianapolis in August. Based on stories Burkhart told her children when they were young and she has decided to share with other families, the tales are about a raccoon family that lived in the woods next door to their home. The books bring the raccoons to life through stories and complementary plush animals.
The Raccoon Tales series and toys are geared for children ages 2 to 4 years old. The 6 X 6-inch books come with a removable raccoon tail that hangs from the book spine. The first book in the series is titled Hip, Flip, Skip, and Boo and Their Friend Stu. Plush 5-inch toy raccoons come in four striped tail colors (blue, green, pink and purple) to match the four raccoon characters in the stories. Books will retail for $8.95 and the raccoon toys will be $4.95 each.
About Burkhart Network
Based in Indianapolis, Burkhart Network LLC is owned and led by Central-Indiana entrepreneur and philanthropist Lorene Burkhart. Burkhart’s first book, An Accidental Pioneer: A Farm Girl’s Drive to the Finish…, was released in September 2006 (retail $24.95). Burkhart serves as the center of the energy for the creativity and focus of the company. Her vision is to share her life experiences through books and related items. The rotating circles, stars and sunrays in the company logo are the projects, people and causes who benefit from the nucleus of energy. Current Burkhart Network projects in development include books for children and adults, toys and inspirational Girlfriends products. For more information visit www.BurkhartNetwork.com.