Tacky Box Press Kit

PRESS KIT
Table of Contents:
History…………………………….Page 3
In the News……………..........Pages 4-5
FAQ………………………………….Pages 6-7
Book Information…………....Page 8
Testimonials…………………….Pages 9-10
Campaign for Kindness….…Page 11
Biographies……………………..Pages 12-15
How to use Tacky Box….…..Page 16
Press releases attached
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History
“Necessity is the mother of invention.” This old adage was fully realized for Chris Phelps the day her
daughter Emma, then halfway through her kindergarten year, nonchalantly used her first four letter
word. Shocked and unprepared for the moment, Chris panicked –then got creative – and Tacky Box
came to be. Tacky Box was a mom’s impromptu attempt to help her daughter choose her words and
actions carefully. And, thanks to Emma’s choice to be kind, it worked.
The unexpected result was how well it worked – not just on four letter words but also unkind phrases
and tacky behavior – and the resulting ripple effect. After the first week, Emma and her little brother,
Jake, both began to take pride in distinguishing between what was appropriate and inappropriate and in
policing their own words and actions. Proud of their individual decisions to be kind, they began to
encourage those around them to make the same choice, and more often than not, they did.
Knowing every parent faces the issue of tacky words and behavior, Chris and her mom, Cindy Kent,
partnered up to share the idea that worked so well for Emma and Jake. As a former educator and
professional artist who understands the value of a lesson, Cindy created Margo and Max the Monkeys to
help tell Emma’s story and hopefully make the job of a parent a little bit easier by creating a visual and
hands on tool.
Having witnessed the impact of Tacky Box on Emma, Jake and their friends, Chris’ longtime friends,
Karen Cuskey and James Regester joined in the effort to take Tacky Box’s message of personal
responsibility and kindness to the masses. Tacky Box started with a four letter word and evolved into a
collaborative effort to make the world a kinder place, one child at a time.
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In the News
CBS KWTX Moms Everyday- Chris Phelps Talks about National Bullying Day, Part One
CBS KWTX Moms Everyday- Chris Phelps Talks about National Bullying Day, Part Two
KTXD The Broadcast- Chris Phelps Talks about tacky Box and National Bullying Day
White Rock Lake Weekly- Innovative Mom Takes Bullying by the Horns
McKinney Courier-Gazette- Start ‘Em Young, Schools, Parents Employ Early Bullying Prevention
Methods
The Children’s Book Review – Margo’s Magnificent Choice and Max’s Magnificent Choice
Mount Vernon Optic Herald - Kent family publishes books, creates The Tacky Box
Daily Herald - Kindergartner's Four-Letter Bomb Inspires Tacky Box Set
Oh So Cynthia - Chris Phelps Creates The Tacky Box To Encourage Children To Make Good Choices
The4Crows - Catching Tacky Words And Locking Them Up With #Tackybox
In a Mothers Heart - Tacky Box
Kathy’s Savings - The Tacky Box Review
Ivy's Variety - Tacky Box: Help With Children’s’ Bad Behavior And Bad Words
IE Mommy - The Tacky Box Review
ButeauFull Chaos - The Tacky Box Set
Western New Yorker - Max’s Magnificent Choice
Our Three Peas - Tacky Box Review
My Crazy Savings - Hiding The Tacky Words Away In The Tacky Box
Play Pen; Irreverent Parents Guide - When All Else Fails, Stick It In Your Tacky Box
Free for All - Tacky Box Review
Jen X ’67 - Tacky Box: Be Classy, Not Tacky
Team Studer - Cleaning Up The Way We Speak
Sweet Cheeks and Savings - Stopping All Things Tacky Tacky
Biz Mommy - Teaching Kids Tact – Tacky Box
The Mushy Mommy - Tacky Box – A Household Must Have
We Make 7 - The Tacky Box
Mom In Love Forever - #Tackybox Review
The Green Eyed Lady Blog - Review Tacky Box
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What Does She Do All Day? - Tacky Box – A Review
Oh, Just Stop Already - Cleaning Up Your Kid’s Words With #Tackybox
Pounds4Pennies - Good Manners For Kids
More than Mommy - Tacky Words Belong In The Tacky Box
The Breezy Mama - Kids Can Make The Right Choice With #Tackybox
Carrie Elle - Tacky Box Teaches Kids To Be Responsible With Their Words
Take Me to Your Latte - Tacky Box
Porfiria Gomez A Domestic Mami - Tacky Box
Open Hands - Tacky Box!
The Nap Time Reviewer - How To Discourage Bad Behavior In A Kid-Friendly Way
Week99er - Max’s Magnificent Choice- Why It’s Great For Goonie!
Consider Me Inspired - Magnificent Choices
My Life with Him and Them - Exactly How Tacky Are You?
Tiffany Reviews It All - Tacky Box Review
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What does Tacky Box Set teach my child?
How does Tacky Box Set benefit parents?
How does Tacky Box Set work?
What age is appropriate for Tacky Box Set?
Is Tacky Box Set gender specific?
Do I need a Tacky Box Set for each of my children?
Why is Tacky Box Set so effective?
Where can I get a Tacky Box Set?
Can I get more information about Tacky Box Set?
How much does Tacky Box Set cost?
Other Networks
Press Contact
What does Tacky Box Set teach my child?
Tacky Box Set is an effective parenting tool to teach the power of words and actions, as well as personal
responsibility. Inappropriate language and behavior are out there, and children will be exposed to them. Ten
minutes of reading Max’s (Margo’s) Magnificent Choice, a quick conversation, and a little follow through from
Mom or Dad will equip a child with the skills to distinguish between what’s appropriate and inappropriate.
How does Tacky Box Set benefit parents?
The Tacky Box Set addresses a common parenting dilemma – how to encourage children to make positive word
choices and exhibit kind actions. By encouraging children to monitor their own words and actions, Tacky Box
Set makes the job of a parent a little bit easier. It also spurs conversation and one-on-one time between parents
and children, while providing a fun reading experience.
How does Tacky Box Set work?
Parents spend 10 life-changing minutes with their child reading the beautifully illustrated story of Max or
Margo the Monkey. As the monkey realizes the value of choosing kind words over tacky words, children will
be inspired to emulate Margo or Max’s magnificent choice to be kind and put the Tacky Box to use.
After reading the story, parents present their child with an authentic Tacky Box, featuring Margo and Max, to
decorate and display as a symbol of the child’s choice to be kind not tacky. When those uh-oh moments occur,
parents encourage the child to write down the inappropriate word or behavior used or witnessed on the enclosed
tablet and lock the piece of paper in the Tacky Box, removing it from the heart and mind.
What age is appropriate for Tacky Box Set?
Tacky Box Set works best for children ages 3-8.
Is Tacky Box Set gender specific?
Yes. Parents can choose from Margo’s Magnificent Choice and Authentic Tacky Box for girls, or Max’s
Magnificent Choice and Authentic Tacky Box for boys. The books are identical except for the gender of the
monkey.
Do I need a Tacky Box Set for each of my children?
Tacky Box works best when children can take ownership of their words and actions, so each child should have
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their own set. Currently, Tacky Box Set is available as a set that includes a Tacky Box, the book Margo’s (or
Max’s) Magnificent Choice, and a note pad illustrated with monkeys. Individual Tacky Boxes and notepads will
be available to purchase separately soon.
Why is Tacky Box Set so effective?
Tacky Box Set is based on a real life experience between a mother and her two young children and provides
both a visual (book) and tactile learning experience (box and notepad.) It includes an authentic Tacky Box, a
gender specific book, and a notepad that work together for optimal success. The book, co-written and illustrated
by a former educator and professional artist, illustrates the cause and effect of word choices and actions by
using a gender specific monkey who inspires children to emulate the monkey’s choice to be kind. Tacky Box
Set is fun – for both children and parents.
Where can I get a Tacky Box Set?
To purchase Tacky Box Set, visit www.TackyBox.com. Each set costs $29.95 and includes an authentic Tacky
Box, a 32-page beautifully illustrated book, and a special note pad for writing down tacky words and actions.
Can I get more information about Tacky Box Set?
Visit www.TackyBox.com.
How much does Tacky Box Set cost?
Each Tacky Box Set costs $29.95 and includes an authentic Tacky Box, a 32-page beautifully illustrated book,
and a special note pad for writing down tacky words and actions.
Other Networks:
Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/117795372126762464299
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTackyBox
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thetackybox
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/thetackybox
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/authentictackybox
Blog: Blog
Website: www.TackyBox.com
Press Contact:
Jo Trizila
TrizCom Communications
972-247-1369
Jo@TrizCom.com
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Book Information
Margo’s Magnificent Choice (Exact same book as Max’s Magnificent Choice but with a different gender
monkey)
Price: $29.95
ISBN: 978-0-9899670-0-6
Age Level: 4 – 8 years old
Page Count: 32 pages
Cover: Hard cover
Publication Month: January 2014
Order Information: https://shop.tackybox.com/
Max’s Magnificent Choice (Exact same book as Margo’s Magnificent Choice but with a different gender
monkey)
Price: $29.95
ISBN: 978-0-9899670-1-3
Age Level: 4 – 8 years old
Page Count: 32 pages
Cover: Hard cover
Publication Month: January 2014
Order Information: https://shop.tackybox.com/
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Testimonials
Robin Pou, Father of 3, Dallas, Texas
The Tacky Box is such a great tool to help me parent my children when the inevitable "tacky" words
come out of their mouth. It allows me to have a productive conversation that gives them the desire to
make the right choice going forward.
Kandace Krueger Matthews, Miss USA 2001, mom to Ashlyn and the triplets: Ainsley, Asher &
Alexa
The opportunity to travel during my reign as Miss USA paired with my experience as a mom of four has
opened my eyes to the need to make the world a kinder place. I believe Tacky Box is exactly what we
need to make real change starting with our children.
Michael Smit, Father of 2
As a single father of two girls, I can say Tacky Box has been a game changer for our home. Instilling
solid values and appropriate behavior in two little girls is not an easy task, especially when they are
frequently exposed to challenging influences when they are not at home. Both daughters, ages 6 & 8,
enjoyed the book and decorating their boxes. They have taken "ownership" of being classy vs. tacky
with their behavior and words and even called me out when I said something tacky informing me that I
should write it down and put it in their tacky box. I think we're all better off with the Tacky Box at home
and I would recommend it to anyone with children. It teaches an excellent lesson in kindness and being
aware of the words that we choose.
Phyllis Cole, Triplet Mom
Tacky Box helps me enforce our family values at home even though my 8 year old triplets are exposed
to evil outside forces that promote foul, tacky language almost daily. Surely, they’ve never heard it from
my lips…..Having a fun way to acknowledge the difference between appropriate and inappropriate
behavior and language is a great way to keep the message of our core values consistent. I love Tacky
Box and hope that the evil outside forces are gifted with one in the near future. Me too…..
Clay and Chelsea Davis, Parents of Irish twins
Before our Tacky Boxes made their way into our home, we did not have a creative and consistent way to
teach our daughters the power of their word choices. Children will always hear things they are not
supposed to.
“Tacky” is now a frequently used term in our lives to police the words we all use. We are so proud to
see our daughters making positive choices with kind words and actions and watching the impact their
choices make. From parents to parents, Tacky Box is a remarkable teaching tool!
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Betty Gaye Goodwin, Gifted and Talented teacher, North East Independent School District
The creative talents of these two women have produced a 21st century classic. I'm reminded of quotes
about kindness from The Little Prince and Aesop Fables-The Lion and the Mouse, books that are part of
my curriculum each year. The lyrical blend of simple truths and personal responsibility make this an
effective and fun child-rearing tool for parents, grandparents, and educators.
Natalie Lee, MA LPC, Child and Adolescent Director, Lakes Regional MHMR
As a counselor working with parents daily on how to modify behaviors, having this as a tool would be
like a breath of fresh air for them, not to mention me, in therapy sessions!
Connie Kein, Piano Instructor
Tacky Box came to us through the heart of a woman who believes kindness can heal the world. She also
believes that true healing needs to be at the heart level. I have the unique perspective of seeing the
benefits of Tacky Box in action as an educator to Chris' kids. I have watched the growth of young
children using this tool and been amazed at their ability to become aware of then monitor their own
words and actions. It is the self-awareness Tacky Box promotes that is the real gift. It is critical that we
teach children that their words do have an effect. Our thoughts and spoken words actually shape our own
reality and deeply affect those around us. As we raise self-awareness in our children, there will be
change for the better in our world. True, lasting change comes from how we educate the next generation.
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Campaign for Kindness
A heartfelt request from the inventor of Tacky Box, Chris Kent Phelps
When I created Tacky Box, I never expected it to work so well, and I certainly never imagined the
resulting ripple effect. After the first week, I saw a noticeable change in both of my children. They
began to take pride in distinguishing between what’s appropriate and inappropriate and in policing their
own words and actions. And, to my amazement, they also began to gently and successfully encourage
those around them to choose to be kind rather than tacky. This unforeseen result gives me hope that we
can collectively raise this generation of kids to put kindness first and ultimately leave the world a better
place.
“We believe it is our collective obligation to spread the message of kindness to every single child,I have
a dream, and I have a plan. I believe we can collectively make the world a kinder place, one child at a
time by celebrating love and kindness at an early age, before bullies are made before the words and
actions of others make their mark, and we hope you’ll help. We must reach each child before the fear of
rejection has been introduced and reinforce love and kindness. When the heart is filled with love instead
of fear - words, actions, and thoughts will be congruent and unkindness will be eradicated.”
My family and our partners are on a mission to create a nationwide ripple effect. It is our intention to
arm every kindergartner with his or her own Tacky Box Set to use at home. We’ve partnered with
educators to create a curriculum to roll out the concept in schools, and we will put our money where our
mouth is and discount our product to make it happen. We believe it is our collective obligation to spread
the message of kindness to every single child, before the words and actions of others make their mark,
and we hope you’ll help.
If you are a corporation, small business or individual who is interested in joining our Campaign for
Kindness by sponsoring a classroom, a school or a district, please email me directly at
chris@tackybox.com. Together, we can make the world a kinder place, one child at a time.
Campaign Theme Song
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Biographies
Chris Kent Phelps - Founder
Chris Phelps, dubbed “Business Hippie” by those who’ve partnered
with her during her 16-year business career and “Mom” by Emma (6½)
and Jake (4), is a self-proclaimed recovering C.P.A. turned entrepreneur
– equally focused on generating and executing creative strategies while
building long-lasting relationships along the way.
Born and raised in Texas, Phelps comes by her creative talents
naturally. Her mother, co-collaborator on the Tacky Box set, is a
professional artist and has taught art classes both privately and for public schools.
After growing up in a one-light East Texas town where she was high school co-valedictorian, Phelps
graduated from Texas A&M University with honors – earning a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a
Master’s in Finance and passing all four parts of the C.P.A. exam on the first attempt while still in
school.
Her first stop out of college was Ernst & Young’s National Office in New York as one of five staff level
accountants recruited from across the country. A behind-the-scenes researcher, Phelps addressed unique
issues encountered by teams in the audit field, often within a turnaround time of 24-36 hours.
Craving financial independence and a little less red tape, Phelps rejected the establishment called
Corporate America and accepted a 100% commissioned job selling advertising space in Dallas’ city
magazine, D Magazine. With no experience in sales or publishing, but with a mind for thinking big and
a heart for making deals that benefit all involved, she set ad sales records and formed lifelong
friendships with her advertisers in the first year. Promoted from sales into publishing, she launched
multiple brand extensions for the company, building each division from start to finish before moving on
to the next challenge.
Phelps hung her own shingle in July 2011 and launched a series of projects and companies across
multiple industries. As a result of her “business hippie” approach, Phelps has built a network of likeminded, like-hearted people committed to helping each other in business – explaining that “deals get
done and companies built much faster that way, and it’s a lot more fun to work with friends.”
Her latest project – Tacky Box – is special because it all began with her daughter and has become a
family business. “No one was more surprised when the Tacky Box worked. It really worked. After the
first week, I saw a noticeable change in my children. Not only do my kids police their own language and
behavior, but they gently encourage those around them to choose kinds words and actions rather than
tacky ones. As it turns out, the Tacky Box armed me with what I needed in a tough moment, and it
continues to teach personal responsibility, the power of words and actions, and the importance of
kindness.”
Phelps lives in Dallas with children Emma and Jake.
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Cindy Kent - Founder
Writing and illustrating a children’s book was on Cindy Kent’s bucket
list…written down when she was about 32 – before there was such a
thing as bucket lists. She knew from the time she was 16 that she wanted
to be an artist and has never wanted to be anything else professionally.
Kent has been a Texan most of her life, with a couple of stopovers in
Colorado. At 20, she married her best friend and boyfriend, and after 43
years says, “He still is. We have three kids and three grandkids, all
amazing, and I’m still blessed to have a very lively, engaging mother.”
Her love of art started back in junior high and continued through high school, so it seemed only logical
for Kent to major in fine arts while attending Abilene Christian University. She completed her education
at The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education, with an
emphasis on painting and drawing. Kent taught art privately for a number of years. In 1990, she began
teaching at Mt. Vernon High School, resigning in the summer of 2004 to work full time in her studio.
Much of Kent’s work is with terra cotta and stoneware clays and has evolved into a reflection of the
natural beauty that surrounds her. Inspiration often arises from a walk on her land outside Mt. Vernon.
More and more, she finds herself returning to her painting background, drawing and painting directly on
the clay. “For me, art has reflected each stage of my life, and I look forward to discovering what the next
stage will be.”
Kent’s work has been exhibited around Texas, has been featured in two publications, and is in galleries
and private collections throughout the United States and Canada.
When daughter Chris shared granddaughter Emma’s story and the idea for Tacky Box, Kent put her
educator hat back on and with the collaboration of Chris wrote and illustrated the Margo and Max the
Monkey books for Tacky Box Sets. Kent’s colorful illustrations are a highlight of the books.
Kent lives outside Mount Vernon, Texas, with her husband Bill and a host of animals.
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Karen Cuskey - Founder
Karen Cuskey is a human dynamo, constantly connecting people and
products to provoke and manage the kind of creative, impactful
promotions that demand attention and generate sales – and all without
removing the phone from her ear. Born in Florida, Cuskey was raised in
Texas by parents who were educators. Her mother taught for 35 years, and
her father – the superintendant of her school – had a heart for children that
he passed on to Cuskey. Her grandfather worked for book bindery RussellRutter. A lot of the books they bound were limited editions. “As a result, I
have a good library,” notes Cuskey, including an edition of Peter Rabbit.
Cuskey spent most of her career in media sales but quickly learned that she could sell more media if she
could tie it all together with a promotion. She plied her trade at NBC-TV, Moroch & Associates,
Outdoor Services, ABC Radio and finally Infinity Promotions Group, where she mastered the art of
promotions and set out with her partner to start TBS Promotions in 2003.
Today TBS Promotions is a full service promotions agency with a national footprint. Clients include
GMC, Chevrolet, MetroPCS, Firestone, Gexa Energy, Massage Envy and more. She has a tremendous
Rolodex and uses her promotions talent to connect the dots with gusto. She is extremely focused and
truly cares about her team and the success of her partners.
Cuskey has been the catalyst for swaying her large corporate clients to include a charitable component in
the promotions she dreams up and has successfully developed a formula for selling product for the
corporation while simultaneously raising money for selected charities.
“At the beginning of the year, I wrote that I wanted to find my purpose, but how do you do that? When
Chris told me about Emma and the Tacky Box and showed me the books, I knew that was it. To leave
the world a better place than I found it starts with a child – the innocence and goodness of a child.”
Chris Kent Phelps says, “Karen and I became fast friends in 2003 when she purchased advertising from
me. Since then I’ve consistently bounced ideas off her, because she is a marketing genius. She cried
when I told her this story [about Phelps’ daughter Emma] and immediately rolled up her sleeves to help
get Tacky Box to market. Without her energy and enthusiasm, the company would never have gotten off
the ground.”
Cuskey lives in Dallas with her three dogs – Roxy, Sadie and Berta.
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James Regester - Founder
James Regester is a serial entrepreneur and an avid business investor. He
brings a strategic but pragmatic approach to decision making to every
project he takes on. He is a master of evaluating options without bias and
making smart business decisions. This skill, paired with the guts to take
chances, has resulted in tremendous success.
Since graduating from Texas Tech with a Finance degree in 2003, Regester
has worked as sales manager for a series of entrepreneurial companies
learning the ins and outs of business building. After a successful stint as a
Regional Sales Director for a medical equipment manufacturer, he decided to put those lessons to work
and began launching his own ventures initially in the medical industry. Since then, Regester has
launched a series of other companies, all of which continue to be profitable.
As Phelps’ best friend of over a decade and godfather to Emma and Jake Phelps, Regester witnessed the
creation and the impact of Tacky Box. After watching Emma and Jake monitor their own words and
actions by using Tacky Box, he raised his hand and offered to partner with Phelps to take the concept to
other parents and kids.
“I have great respect and trust in Chris Phelps’ conceptual idea and her ability to execute,” says
Regester. “Also, the idea of providing mothers and fathers with a tool to help future generations in
identifying good from bad and empowering them to choose to be considerate are outcomes I want to be
a part of promoting.”
Regester lives in Dallas with his dog, Murphy, and a collection of old cars he has rebuilt.
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How to use the Tacky Box
STEP ONE: Cuddle up with your child and spend 10 minutes reading the story of Margo’s (or Max’s)
Magnificent Choice
STEP TWO: Compare our world to the jungle and explain to your child that he or she will hear and see all
kinds of tacky words and behavior. Encourage your child to proactively decide how to respond when the
inevitable occurs. Will he or she choose to be tacky or be kind like the monkey in the story?
STEP THREE: After your child makes his or her own magnificent choice, give a high five just like the wise
old owl and present your child with an authentic Tacky Box to decorate.
STEP FOUR: Display the decorated Tacky Box prominently in your home. Have your child use the tablet to
write down any tacky words (or behavior) he or she uses or witnesses and lock the piece of paper in the Tacky
Box. The act of writing down the word or action and placing it in the box symbolizes your child’s commitment
to remove tacky words from the heart and mind.
STEP FIVE: Enjoy watching your child self-monitor words and behavior and set an example for others! And
get ready for the ripple effect.
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