Hi everybody… well it’s finally happening, Boneless Chuck is in production!
SOUND FX: Wild, deafening, cheering heard in other-wise law-biding homes across the country.

It’s really true! The factory finally got the samples correct and the order was officially placed! So here’s the time frame. It takes 40 days (or less) to produce Chuck and get him to the port in China. Crossing the Pacific can take 3-4 weeks to the Port of Los Angeles. Final delivery could be immediate or take 2 more weeks depending on whether my order gets delayed at the Port of Los Angeles due to homeland security or the fact that I’m a first-time importer. All that being said it’s likely he’ll arrive June 14th and I will send him out to all of you immmediately!

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN for hanging in there and showing Chuck your friendship and support. Like you, I expected Chuck would’ve been sitting on your desk months ago. This is a grassroots effort that couldn’t happen without you and your generous pre-orders. So much is planned for our boneless friend. The city of Los Angeles recently spoke with me about affiliating him with selected charities, hospitals and non-profits. I don’t know what will happen but as always it’s a step-by-step process that depends on perseverance and dedication.

Thank you for hanging in there with us and showing your love!

Graham & Chuck

Meta Says: April 4th

PRAISE THE LORD and GET ON BOARD! This truly feels like the long-awaited birth of a baby! For some of us he is long overdue. But of course, just like childbirth, the pain and frustration is forgotten and replaced with overwhelming love and joy! I can’t wait to hold another little pink body in my arms!

Congratulations Graham!!!

All this began back in 2000 when I tried to buy “BonelessChuck.com”. But it was already taken by someone who wasn’t using it. I didn’t have a plan to bring Chuck back but I back-ordered his domain name just in case. Five years later, in June 2005 it finally became available and I bought it and linked it to my illustration website (grahamsaleart.com).

A couple months later I was at a Christmas party and out-of-the-blue someone offered me a manufacturing contact, “in case you ever needed to produce something”. I thought, what am I ever going to manufacture? But I took their card. I was beginning to be aware of an energy was building around BC. But I didn’t have any money. The first time he was produced I licensed him to another company and they produce him.

Then in January 2006 I began receiving emails, photos and letters from Boneless Chuck fans and owners who “googled” him and wanted to know what happened to him and how to buy him again. They/you loved and kept him alive for the last 17 years and had a bigger vision of him than I did!

Next I needed to re-purchase his trademark. I let it go years before because I couldn’t afford to renew it. This was crucial. Not owning his name would make bring him back impossible. After you pay the fee, it takes a year to find out if you can legally purchase it. I decided to take the chance and go forward as if I would get it.

Now I called the manufacturing agent. He loved Chuck and had all sorts of ideas for him and excitedly agreed to get prices for me. Unfortunately, it turned out to cost thousands of dollars more than I had to produce Chuck. I live paycheck-to-paycheck and had no one I could borrow from. It was a tough spot. But over the next few weeks I was surprised by wonderfully moving letters from BC fans…

This motivated me to simply decide to make it happen - no matter what. I decided to go ahead and do everything that needed to be done as if I had the money and it was happening.

First I needed to build a website for him and tell his story; it was also the best chance of raising money to produce him, through donations and pre-orders. I would have to design the site myself. The problem was, I didn’t know html or photoshop or even own a camera. So, I enrolled in computer classes to learn both. And began putting aside money for a digital camera. But website building kicked my butt. I couldn’t learn enough to be proficient for what I needed to do. It was too complicated I had no experience using a computer except as an expensive type witer. I’m not a technical detail guy by nature and I was pulled in too many directions; I had to learn Photoshop, create art, write and develop the content, write a business and marketing plan and much more.

To shorten a long and frustrating story full of unfulfilled promises and let downs and betrayals my friend Dave agreed to do the html for the site at a reduced cost if I completely designed it and created all the artwork. So I spent the next five months learning Photoshop trial-by-error. The classes weren’t much help. Seven months later the site was up. And shortly thereafter people (like you) began to find Chuck and I began getting pre-orders, some of you ordered as many as five Chucks! I also received donations and loans to be repaid “whenever.” Thank you, you know who you are.

Around the same time I was notified my Trademark went through! I owned the name Boneless Chuck again! But I still didn’t have nearly enough money to produce BC. All the while I’d been sending emails of BC’s progress and the letters I’d received to anyone with an email address. An old friend of mine, also named Graham, who is a creative director I’d worked with in NYC, contacted me and asked about my manufacturing source. I told him my manufacturing quote. He thought it sounded high and suggested speaking with his friend Bill, a manufacturing agent in China. Within a week Bill quoted me much a lower price - a quote I could easily manage on my credit card! Everything instantly changed. I could do this! It would happen!

There have still been challenges as you’ve read in previous blog entries; like the factory mangling Chuck over and over again, and the earthquake that delayed production and changes in factories creating more delays, etc.

But because of all the preparations in place - he’s finally in a postion to launch! I’t’s been 16 hour days, 7 days a week for 2 years; no vacations or weekends. And it will likely be this way for the next year at least. And recently I lost my job. But no matter, there is nothing that will derail this train. For anyone considering starting their own business, realize that all this hard work has simply been the price of admission to get Chuck in a position to start the race that will be his comeback. It’s been the investment necessary to have the opportunity to begin the really difficult work that is ahead. But for now let’s celebrate that our friend is back! It couldn’t have happened without you, all. Thank you once again for your orders, patience and love (and continued support in the future)!

Your Pinkest Pals,
Graham & Boneless Chuck
Read more about Boneless Chuck’s creation by clicking on “Chuck’s Story.”

Hi everyone, here’s the latest news about Chuck’s arrival…

As you know there was a delay before Christmas due to an earthquake in the China-Hong Kong area. At that time the original factory felt they couldn’t get Boneless Chuck to look right or maintain consistency in his production, so my manufacturing agent found a new factory. It took a month for them to produce a proto-type that looked almost the same as the first factory’s attempt. In spite of having the original doll in front of them they keep putting his ears near the top of his head, like an animal. They must think he’s a critter or something.

A couple of weeks ago I sent in some corrections and am told I won’t see the new BC until March 14. If it looks good and I approve they require 40 days to produce and then I’m told it’ll be 4-6 weeks to arrive in Los Angeles. So if all goes well, he’ll be here at the end of May or begining of June. It’s a little disappointing of course, but don’t worry he’s still coming and I’m still laying more groundwork for his launch. Thank you for your patience and continued support.

Also, if you didn’t see Chuck on Deal or No Deal, it wasn’t your reception; unfortunately he didn’t get camera time. The show is more restrictive now than in the past and only the contestant and their immediate families get on air. But Boneless was there (in someone’s pocket.) Tony did great though, he won $94,000! congratulations Tony!

Here’s the scoop on Chuck. Things are behind schedule because China/Taiwan had an earthquake before Christmas. Can you believe it? Most people don’t even knowabout it. In fact, I wouldn’t if I hadn’t accidentally caught the one and only news report I’ve seen on it. The sound was off on the tv when I just happened to look up and saw a news headline and a map with expanding concentric circles over Taiwan. I only caught the barest of details. The cables for phone and internet service were damaged and there was no communication for several weeks.

About a week ago I finally spoke with Bill, my manufacturing agent and things are getting back on track. Prior to that, we were in a second go-a-round with Chuck’s design. He was almost himself but not quite - he needed tweaking. His nose was too small, his ears were square and on top of his head! But the good news is he was pink! It really wasn’t that bad but adjustments were needed. Sooo I’m waiting to see the next sample. I’ll update you the minute I hear more. Thank you all for your patience and support… and for the funny photos that keep coming in!

Here’s something creative from Patty & Rebecca, long time friends of Boneless Chuck from Texas.

“A Boneless Ode”

Oh little Boneless let me expound
The sadness we feel since you’ve left our town…

We miss you so we want you back
Your little face and lack of tact

Miss Becky laments your time alone
Away from us, away from home.

Oh Boneless Chuck, when will you arrive?
Until then, we can only be sad and cry.

The post man has not delivered you yet.
Your walkabout continues and so we fret.

We know you’ll come back, of this we are assured.
Graham sends pictures and notes we’ve heard.

A happy day when you arrive.
We all shall jump and jive and thrive!

Send us that date and we’ll mark it down.
We will know then when you’ll be back in town.

Thank you ladies!

For anyone who doesn’t know, PR firms are a mixed bag. They can be extremely helpful and essential and even make the difference in your success, but they are also expensive. Recently, I’ve been calling around trying to find one to work with. I’d like to share my experience with you…

Yesterday I spoke with a firm who said they would absolutely love to work on Chuck. Unfortunately, they charge $3500 a month and require a minimum 6 month contract. I was shocked. That’s $21,000! The woman told me that their fees, compared with the industry, are right in the middle. Oh yes, and I would also have to pay an additional $500 because they require clients be a member of their website. Say What? For that amount of money shouldn’t that be included? I was in shock for a couple of reasons. First of all, that’s a lot of money, obviously. And second, a six-month contract just seemed too long. Shouldn’t we date before we sleep together? She explained it could take that long to get results. O.K. fine, but what if we find we’re incompatible, or have different views of how to proceed or there are simply are no results? It doesn’t make sense to commit to a contract for half a year. I didn’t say it, but I was thinking, “If that were to be the case then I’d just be paying your overhead for services unrendered and that’s good for you not me, the client.” And when I asked if they’d write a proposal of what they specifically planned to do - she was insulted. I was then told I might not be a good match for them because it causes problems when a client isn’t “sophisticated enough” to “get” what they do. Meaning I would be a problem if I were to hold them accountable. Smooth move, insult the client.

I wish I could say this was an unusual experience. However, I spoke with another firm in New York City where the owner couldn’t wait to speak to me because she’d had Boneless Chuck on her bed for the last 16 years. She was thrilled and gathered the whole office gather ’round the speaker phone to meet the creator of her beloved Boneless Chuck. She lauded praises on both of us and insisted she be involved with his comeback. Man, who could ask for more? But when I asked her for a client list and to put in writing a plan of action for me, she went ballistic. I mean she literally screamed at me. “Don’t you know who I am?! Who we work with?! Blah, blah, blah,” followed closely by more screaming and indignation. Hmm, sounds like someone needs a weekend refresher at PR boot camp.

If I understand it correctly, Public Relations sounds like a great gig. People give you money, you aren’t held accountable for your results and you don’t even have to explain what you’re planning to do. It leaves me mystified. Even great actors have to audition, architects create plans and prototypes for approval, advertisers spend time and money on elaborate pitches - even politicians disclose their platforms. So, how’d Public Relations get a pass? Well at least this woman didn’t scream at me. I got off lightly with an insult.

Now, if anyone reading this is in PR and this isn’t how you do business, don’t get-your-nose-out-of-joint. I’m just relating what’s happened to me. And if these two business professionals felt insulted it was nothing compared to how insulted I felt. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the value of someone’s hard-earned contacts and I don’t diminish the energy and follow-up that’s involved nor so I believe anyone would intentionally try to do a poor job. That’s not the point. The point is, I’ve been a party in many contracts over the years in which each party clearly and painstakingly, at great financial expense, detail their mutual obligations in a covenant- for very sound reasons.

And by-the-way, “I dun got me sophisticated” by making huge mistakes in the past, which cost me dearly. So in my mind, objecting to outlining your best intentions and plan of action to which you’ll be held accountable is intentionally one-sided if not unconscionable and certainly outside the spirit of mutual benefit.

All that being said, good firms are definitely worth their fees, and I know the one I just spoke with is phenomenally connected and would help enormously. But that’s how they seem to work. So you really need to know their reputation, clients and success stories - especially their success stories. So, we left it that she’d get back to me with some kind of an outline, some day in the future. Yeah, right, like that’s going to happen. I mean seriously, why spend time developing a plan for a bumpkin who wouldn’t get it anyway? But that’s O.K. because my mind was already screaming a four-letter word I use a lot, “N-E-X-T!”

And so, the conversation politely ended and I took my doll and went home (so-to-speak); knowing confidently that something new would present itself in its place because all good things happen for Boneless Chuck - they always do. The End.

From META Dec. 2, 2:03pm

You said it all in the last sentence - All good things come to Boneless Chuck.
These “speed bumps” you have encountered serve a very important purpose and lesson - patience, perseverance, and faith will open doors of the same values resulting in QUALITY relationships that have MEANING.

Chuck’s aura is that of simplicity, humility, and accountability. Chuck is not going to LOWER himself to be a part of the “corporate ego”. He learned 20 years ago how empty promises and lack of accountability can take you to a higher level in the corporate skyscraper, but in the process your own self and soul must be left at the ground floor - most likely caught in the revolving door!

Thanks, Meta, you continue to be a big source of encouragement.

Here’s some potentially great news! New friend and Chuck lover,Terri in Chicago, saw Chuck’s Look-A-Like page and made a great offer! Her best friend’s husband has been selected as a contestant on NBC’s Deal or No Deal (taping 12/7/06 here in LA). His name is Tony and he’s going to try and bring Boneless Chuck on the show with him as good luck and encouragement to not be boneless and take risks. It would be phenomenal exposure. The show will air in January, which would coincide with his launch. It’s almost too exciting to thing about. The show is very scripted and it’s only 50-50 he’ll be allowed to bring Chuck on. So keep your good thoughts coming!

It’s amazing things like this and the wonderful letters I receive that keep me encouraged. This is very difficult thing to do. It’s just me, a one-man show working 16 hour days, 7 days a week for almost a year now. Sometimes it is completely overwhelmming and I can’t figure out where I’ll come up with the money to make it happen (and keep a roof over my own head). There are so many details of getting him produced, getting him through customs, then there’s storage and shipping, etc. I”ve never done anything like this before. When BC was first released, I licensed him to a manufacturer who did all this. Just the website took almost 7 months, and I had to learn photoshop as I went. Talk about tough, that nearly did me in - seriously. Now there’s even more to do because what’s been done thus far is just enough to get in the game and begin to get Boneless into the public eye . A good PR firm will really help.
That’s why it’s sooo wonderful receiving letters like you’ve sent and offers like Terri’s. They keep me encouraged and more determined. Thank you - everyone!

Oh, one other thing, the Decatur Harold Review is doing a follow-up on Chuck coming out in the Frist week of December! You can be sure I’ll post it.

I spoke at length with Lauren’s mom, Jacqueline, and the surgery was a success, the tumors were benign! Chuck arrived and all is well in the universe again…

Nov. 15, 2007

Dear Graham,
Boneless Chuck is here!!! Boneless arrived today and I don’t have to say “I wish you’d seen her face” because I took lots of pictures which I’ll email to you from my other email account later this evening. The words “thrilled” and “stunned” do not begin to cover it! We’ll call you as soon as she is awake again…she’s been in a great deal of pain today which we’re having a difficult time controlling and she’s finally sleeping at the moment. She wanted to wait and call you when she felt animated enough to visit. Thank you sooo much for your call it was very thoughtful. When I confessed to her that it was Boneless Chuck’s dad I had been talking to last night you would have thought I had just claimed an acquaintance with The Rolling Stones! More soon. Thank you once again… Jacqueline.

Last Friday I received an order for Chuck along with an amazing letter…

Dear Mr. Sale,

Please, please ship Chuck as quickly as possible. I was hoping you would have an express or priority mail shipping option but I could not find one. The reason for my haste is that my daughter Lauren is having major surgery on the 15th of Nov and I am hoping he will arrive in time to greet her when she wakes up from the anesthesia. Chuck was her most beloved companion when she was small; she took him absolutely everywhere with her until he was stolen from her on a playground during a vacation in Las Vegas 8 years ago. She mourned for months, and believe me when I say that “mourned” is the only word for it. I tried frantically to replace him and even went so far as to ask my parents in Virginia to drive the hour and a half to the store where they had originally purchased him, but to no avail…Chuck was no longer available anywhere. Since then I have googled and E-Bayed for him from time to time, hoping to be able to restore Chuck to her because, even after all this time, she still talks about him; but I could never find any trace of him…until tonight. As fate would have it, I discovered your site just when she needs cheering most. She is very frightened and I can’t think of anything that would lift her spirits more than being reunited with her old friend. Thank you so much for bringing Boneless Chuck back.

Warmest regards,
Jacqueline Lee

Wow. What do you say to a letter like that? I only have a couple of original Boneless Chuck dolls left that I need to photograph and use to promote him until he’s produced again. But knowing what it would mean for him to be back in the arms of someone who really loves him and needs him in a very scary hour I packed him up my personal Chuck and entrusted him to the postal service, hoping he’d arrive in time.

Lauren is only 19 and having surgery for tumors that doctors don’t know if are malignant or benign. Her mom, Jacqueline, said she began asking about BC ever since she heard about the surgery (which says something very sweet about him, I think). I spoke with her mom for a long time and she said that as a little girl they tried to get Lauren to play with dolls, but she never would. One Xmas vacation while visiting her grandmother, Lauren saw her grandmother’s Boneless Chuck doll and badgered her for entire week until she finally broke down and let her take him home! After that, they were joined at the hip. The two things Lauren never left home without, said Jacqueline, were her rubber chicken (feet sticking out of her backpack) and Boneless clutched in her arms! What a picture that conjures up! She said the looks her daughter would get in airports and at stores were priceless.

Surgery for Lauren took place earlier today. I dearly hope everything went well and there is only good news to report. And if by chance Boneless arrived in time… I hope he will be of some comfort. Both of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Can’t wait to hear the results….

Keep your fingers crossed, but it looks like Boneless is about to happen. In a few days I’m expecting to sign-off on Chuck’s design and his container (remember he comes packaged like hamburger). And I’ve finally come up with the money to pay for it! Think good thoughts.

Originally received Nov. 3, 2006

Graham….here are 4 photos of our pal, BC, on Irish Day in Long Beach, and at Michelle’s Memorial Bench the day of our thank you brunch for the Committee. He’s wearing an Irish tam and sweater that I crocheted for him….so that he wouldn’t be too cold the day of the parade. Hope you like the photos! The first photo is of some of our Committee members proudly holding our banner & BC….Three of whom are Michelle’s dearest buddies, the one on the left is Alison Vaaler, an extremely big fan of BC’s. Third from left is Debbie Mantia, another fan, and far right is Tracy McHale Murray. The more senior ladies are friends of mine and of the Foundation. Will keep you in the loop.

Hope all is well. Thank you again for your kindness with the poster, as well as with the lovely note card remembering Michelle’s anniversary. You are a very special person…no wonder BC always looks so happy!

Carol xoxo

I’m really moved by Carol’s words and am tyring like crazy to figure out how to get her photos uploaded here on this blog so they don’t get lost in the Fan Photo Gallery. But I just can’t figure it out. I’ve learned the computer kicking and screaming and while it’s really great - sometimes things just don’t work no matter how closely you follow the directions!!! OK , just focus on the wonderful sentiments that were just shared and decompress….. mmm… better? Kinda-sorta.