Here is a Q and A with Estella Pan, founder and CEO of Country Angel's Network:
Q: What inspired you to start Country Angel's Network?
A: My ultimate life goal has always been to make positive differences in people's lives, no matter where I go or what I do. When I founded Country Angel's Network, I was 21 and knew nothing more than wanting to fulfill that goal. Having been a Partner in Hope for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for a few years, I felt like I needed to do something else to reach out to children in need of aid. Using my resources as a country music journalist and enlisting the help from various friends, I was able to learn how to create and maintain websites as well as lay down the ground work for forming Country Angel's Network. I hosted my first online auction event in February of 2002 and since, Country Angel's Network has raised thousands of dollars for various children's charities including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Spina Bifida Association of America, among others.
Beginning with my 2007 event, I began choosing children, families, or small organizations who have an immediate financial need as receiving beneficiaries.
Q: Where does the name Country Angel's Network come from?
A: Country Angel is a nickname someone gave me years ago and it has always stuck. Since "can" is my favorite word, that was the first word that popped into mind. I chose the word, Network, because even though I may be the initiator, it takes a whole network of people working together to ensure that all aspects of my annual events run efficiently. I intentionally chose a name that would have the acronym of CAN!! I believe that we CAN make a difference if we just open our hearts and pull together to help some worthy causes. :)
Q: How do you acquire the memorabilia for each auction?
A: Items listed in my Country Angel's Network (CAN) auctions come from the following sources:
1. The majority of the items are donated by the artists themselves or persons who work closely with the artists
2. I have been fortunate to have the opportunities to attend various concerts, as well as special events such as Fan Fair, Country Radio Seminar, etc. I bring items to these functions for artists to sign
3. Friends/fans who attend concerts to get items autographed then donate them for my auctions
Q: How often do you host your Country Angel's Network auctions?
A: Initially, I hosted my Country Angel's Network Online Charity Auction events twice each year. Beginning in 2007, I began hosting my events annually.
Q: Who are some of the artists who have supported your auctions?
A: Past and current patrons include Jessica Andrews, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Terri Clark, Tammy Cochran, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emerson Drive, Bill Engvall, Faith Hill, George Jones, Toby Keith, Loretta Lynn, Marcel, Brad Martin, Martina McBride, Lila McCann, Tim McGraw, Memarie, Joe Nichols, SHeDAISY, George Strait, Sugarland, Shania Twain, Phil Vassar, Jimmy Wayne, Wynonna, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Darryl Worley, Chris Young, and MANY, MANY MORE!!!!
Q: Do you have people help you host your events?
A: I handle most of the direct process myself. Preparation for any given event includes contacting beneficiaries for permission to raise funds on their behalf, sending requests for items, acquiring autographs myself, and taking photos of donated items. During the auction, I continuously post each item listing on eBay, write and distribute press releases to promote my events, update my website regularly, promote my events on artists' messageboards and my social network websites, and send requests to have auction promoted in the news sections of participating artists' websites or in e-newsletter updates. Once item listings end, I collect monies from bidders, package the items and ship them to patrons. I also make sure to leave feedback on eBay for every transaction. At the end of each event, I send a mass check to the receiving beneficiary. Then, the process starts over for my next event! It is grueling at times, but if I didn't absolutely LOVE it, I wouldn't still be doing it! :)
Of course, without the help of my personal Network, my events would never be as successful as it continues to be! They are:
1. My artist friends who donate items for each of my events
2. Persons who acquire autographs from artists and donate items, on artists' behalf
3. Webmasters of participating artists' websites who help me promote my events
4. Other media outlets such as GACtv.com and various radio stations who have helped promote my event
5. The many bidders who continue to participate in each event
6. Last but NEVER least: the many deserving children who continue to bless my life. THEY are my inspiration and I do my auction events for them!!
The Country Angel's Network Guarantee: We do NOT sell items which contain preprinted and/or reproduced autographs. EVERY autograph on offered items is authentic or it will not be listed in my auctions.