Like most contractors, Meridian says one of the biggest issues it faces with clients is overcoming the stereotype that contractors are messy, rude, and likely swindlers. But Meridian has a special way to help put people at ease: The company donates 1% of its total sales to charities.
Married couple Justin Shipp, Meridian’s CEO, and Sara Masterson, Meridian’s office manager, say the company began making the donations about two years ago, as a way to give back to their community.
“It shows we aren’t out for ourselves,” Shipp says.
Shipp and Masterson typically donate locally. The organizations they support are environmentally friendly—groups that clean up beaches or look to preserve land for outdoor community use. The team adds that Meridian Design typically gives to the environmentally friendly companies to help offset the waste generated from their remodeling projects. However, if they have a customer who’s passionate about a certain cause, they will donate to that customer’s favorite organization. Masterson tells the story of one client who regularly volunteers with the local canine rescue, so Meridian surprised her one day by driving to the rescue office and giving a donation in her name.
Shipp’s and Masterson’s love of community doesn’t end there. Following the Thomas Fire that ravaged Southern California last year, they raised more than $20,000 in gift cards to give to families who lost their homes. Their home also became a large donation center for affected families to find clothes and other necessities to replace those lost in the fire.
As for Meridian, Shipp and Masterson say that the company has started working on fire repairs, but that no rebuilding has begun.
