08/15/2026
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH — THE FACTS MATTER
For the past three weeks, I have watched accusations, rumors, one-star reviews, and outright false statements be made about Monsters Ink and about me personally. I have tried to stay quiet and professional. That ends now.
I will not continue allowing people to publicly accuse me or my business of theft, fraud, or other wrongdoing when those accusations are false.
HERE ARE THE FACTS.
The two women involved originally came to Monsters Ink because of the work we had done and the communication they had received from our staff. We agreed to help set up this fundraiser and worked to get it running as quickly as possible.
As the fundraiser progressed, the calls, texts, messages, and demands became constant. Eventually, communication with one individual became so unproductive that we made the decision to discontinue direct communication with her.
Meanwhile, we were still doing the work.
We were producing fundraiser orders while also running our regular business. Customers were coming through the doors. People were picking up orders. We had equipment issues, including our printer going down. There were only two of us trying to keep everything moving, and we desperately needed more help.
There were times when we seriously considered walking away from the fundraiser because of everything happening around it.
We didn't.
We continued because this was supposed to be about Cody and his children.
I donated MONTHS of my time to this fundraiser. I worked on it while still trying to operate the business that pays our bills and supports local families.
And I think it is fair to ask a question:
While I was expected to donate my time for months, were the people organizing this fundraiser willing to do the same?
If getting hundreds of orders completed faster was the priority, extra hands would have been greatly appreciated. Instead of volunteering time to help us sort, organize, distribute, or handle the workload, we felt we were being pressured and attacked while continuing to do the work.
WHY DIDN'T WE CLOSE OUT THE FUNDRAISER IMMEDIATELY?
Because we couldn't.
There were numerous completed orders that had still not been picked up.
On top of that, three orders received full chargeback/refund claims stating that the customers had not received their merchandise. Two of those orders had been picked up IN OUR STORE, and one had been mailed with delivery confirmation.
Those issues had to be resolved before we could accurately close out the financial portion of the fundraiser.
And now let's address the accusation that has been repeated over and over:
I DID NOT STEAL FROM THIS FUNDRAISER.
The fundraiser generated $2,203.10 for Cody's family.
Labor alone associated with this fundraiser was approximately $3,400.
Think about that.
I donated months of my time. My labor alone exceeded the amount raised for the family, and Monsters Ink still had the costs and resources associated with producing and handling the merchandise.
So where exactly is this supposed theft or fraud?
I knew I was going to lose money doing this fundraiser. I was willing to do that because I believed we were doing something good for Cody's family.
People received memorial shirts and hats that they can wear in remembrance of Cody, and $2,203.10 was raised for his family.
THAT is what this was supposed to be about.
THE FALSE ACCUSATIONS STOP HERE.
I have spent 7½ years pouring my heart, time, money, and energy into Monsters Ink.
This business supports local families. Our employees depend on this business. We work with people throughout our community every single day.
Yet people who have never stepped foot inside Monsters Ink, never done business with us, never spoken to me, and have no firsthand knowledge of what occurred have decided they can publicly accuse me of theft and fraud and attack the reputation of my business.
I am done accepting it.
We are documenting and preserving the posts, comments, screenshots, and reviews containing statements we believe are false.
Some people have already been contacted privately and have removed what they posted.
The one-star reviews that we believe are fabricated or contain false allegations are also being documented and reported to Google for review. They are additionally being provided to our attorney.
Any further public accusations of theft, fraud, or other alleged misconduct that we believe are false will also be preserved and forwarded to our attorney for review.
People absolutely have the right to their opinions. If you didn't like our service, say that. If you believe something took too long, say that. If you would have handled the fundraiser differently, you are entitled to say that too.
But criticism and knowingly making false factual accusations are not the same thing.
I have held my head down long enough while watching people tear apart something I have spent 7½ years building.
I'm not doing it anymore.
I'm holding my head HIGH because despite everything surrounding this fundraiser, despite the stress, despite the equipment problems, despite being short-staffed, despite the hours of donated labor, and despite Monsters Ink losing money doing it:
WE RAISED $2,203.10 FOR CODY'S FAMILY.
That was the purpose.
That is what matters.
And I will not apologize for standing up for myself, my employees, and the business I have worked so hard to build.
The bullying, harassment, and false accusations have gone far enough. From this point forward, we are documenting them and allowing our attorney to advise us on the appropriate response.
If you have any questions contact me directly like adults at 218-248-6789
Julie — Owner, Monsters Ink Custom Apparel & Gifts
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