Pink Tools for a Purpose

Why Pink Tools?

Tomboy Tools was started in January of 2000 and after doing some initial test marketing, we decided to launch a product line in blue, "Initially we did not chose pink tools because in the past, if you ever came across tools targeted at women, they were made extremely cheap and we did not want to be associated with anything like that", states CEO Janet Rickstrew. "We felt that adding the color pink to the tools, women would not be taken seriously. We also had a motto of "No Pink Tools" and even had that monogram on a variety of clothing products.

In 2004-2005 we started hearing more requests for pink tools. The difference now was there was a huge trend of more and more women participating in DIY (Do it Yourself) projects around the home and they were serious about having their own quality tools.

Then, in 2006 we were presented with an idea of creating a pink tool specifically as a fundraising opportunity for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. We launched a special edition 13 oz pink hammer to raise money to "Hammer out Breast Cancer" and the response was phenomenal. In the first 12 months of our Corporate Partnership with Komen we raised over $139,000

It was in the marketing effort to promote the Pink Hammer where the plans to expand our pink tool line was solidified. From Washington to Florida women sent us a message that we heard loud and clear. "I want all of my tools to be pink so my husband will leave them alone"! We went back to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and had a discussion about extending our contract to include donating 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the additional pink products. Thus the launch of our new pink tool kit.

We are continuing our relationship with Komen and are very excited about the release of several additional pink tools where we will donate a % of the proceeds to Komen.