Surprise: You've got hate mail

‘Hate Cards’ cater to those who wish to vent

Staff

Published Friday, September 26, 2008

If you “care enough to send the very best,” than these cards are definitely not for you.

Next time you want to really give someone a piece of your mind, forget shouting, fistfights or blackmail. Bill Hardwick can help you “send the very worst” with a specialized “greeting.”

As co-founder of www.hatecards.net, he claims a niche Hallmark and other greeting card companies simply do not dare to reach.

“This is your ‘Mean people suck’ Web site,” said Hardwick, who wants to “give people a voice” when they feel cheated, berated, insulted, ignored, abused or just plain mad.

An Austin resident and 1977 graduate of Pacelli High School, the idea actually struck Hardwick after attending a class reunion, where three classmates had become millionaires in e-businesses.

The potential of founding a business in a booming industry and allowing people to speak their minds produced the concept, launched two months ago.

Photo by Katie Johnson

Bill Hardwick is the co-founder of hatecards.net, a Web site he says helps customers “lash out rationally” — and anonymously.

Hardwick operates Hardtimes LCC with his nephew, Abe Wilson, of Monterey, Calif. They have nicknamed themselves “Dr. H8” and “Professor Angst.”

The construction superintendent and father of three doesn’t necessarily expect to strike it rich, but make a decent living by helping people “lash out rationally” rather than doing something drastic or damaging when anger arises.

Hate Cards are exactly what they are perceived to be: cards you send to someone when you want to tell them off. From the tame to the over-the-top explicit, the cards — and even the Web site itself — are not for everybody, especially those who take offense easily.

Customers have the choice of sending them anonymously or with their name; as Hardwick points out, some people send them to friends in jest.

“Not everybody’s going to have the brass to send one,” said Hardwick, adamantly pointing out his company is not about “spreading hate.”

“It’s about speaking your mind — it’s not about hating people,” he explained. “I want people to draw from an emotion they are dealing with.”

Hatecards.net says that bigotry, threats and xenophobia are not tolerated or promoted on the site.

“There is something for everyone here: politicians, ex-wives, ex-husbands, bankers, lawyers, teachers, bosses, co-workers, salesman, friends, family and much more,” the site explains.

Hardwick’s trademark is actually a traveling business card – his Honda Element. The black SUV, wrapped with his business name and Web site domain splashed across the sides, back and front, turns heads wherever he goes.

“You can’t buy this vehicle and not have people look at it,” he said. “It goes where I go.”

And that is exactly Hardwick’s goal. The marketing tactic may offend people or make them laugh, but either way, it attracts attention. He travels nationwide in construction, and checks his site to see who is logging on from around the country.

The Hardtimes company is already launching their third version of the Hate Cards Web site, which will include address books and a “create-your-own” option.

“If we don’t have the words, you can write them,” he said.

“We just hope people enjoy the site,” Hardwick said. “I’ve got cards in there for people who are really angry. If that helps you get things off your chest…”

Hardwick said their business plans do not stop with Hate Cards; they hope to launch several themed Web sites, some much more uplifting.

Next project on the horizon — Jesus Cards.

“We think Jesus Cards will be big,” Hardwick said.

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