Most of us will experience a low point in our lives.  Maybe things aren’t going our way, maybe we feel like we’ve hit rock bottom. If we come to that crossroads, however, we have a choice:  Submit to the sadness or fight it out.  

When Steve Martin was faced with the decision of what to do next, he threw a party. Not just any party. It was dubbed Boston’s Largest Disco Party Since the 70s, and it was a turning point for him. Martin collected a $20 cover charge from everyone at the door, and, working with the Starlight Children’s Organization, used the money to send 75 seriously ill children to a Red Sox game.

After several of his own life-changing setbacks, Martin found that giving back and being positive was rejuvenating his energy and motivating him to continue to fundraise to help others. So he threw more parties, including Boston’s Largest Ugly Sweater Party and The City of Boston Home Run Derby, among other events.

From there, the b Positive Project was born.  Steve has designed apparel with the b (symbolic for your inner “b”-ing) representing the mind, body, soul, and heart connection and a reminder to live a purposeful life.  For every product b Positive sells, the organization contributes 25% of the proceeds back to a charitable project.

And, since starting the successful apparel line in 2010, Martin has branched out to custom screen printing, which helps to sustain b Positive business as it continues to evolve.

Overall, the mission is to inspire people to be the best that they can ‘b’. 

“You are going to hit some adversity in your life that you have to overcome,” Martin says. “One way to do that is to do something good for someone else."

                                                      "b inspired, b motivated, b positive."

By Stephanie Neil

Stephanie Neil is a journalist. Her business, technology, and human interest stories have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines including eWeek, Managing Automation, The Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Huggies Baby Network, South Shore Woman, and The Boston Globe.  She lives on the South Shore with her two kids, two cats, and a dog. Contact info: stephanieneil@comcast.net  or 781-378-1652. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieNeil