They say variety is the spice of life. If so, then our latest crowdfunding column is full of flavor! Community-minded eateries, alternative exercise programs and more make up the women-owned businesses in our latest funding-focused offering. Grab some lunch, and learn more about their ventures!
Check out these 5 women-led crowdfunding campaigns:
1. A Sweet New Spot (via Kickstarter)
The Business: Kayla Blincow and Tess Smedley are the owners of Preserve and Gather, a Seattle-based cafe borne out of the pair’s mutual love of “home canning, baking scones and having a good espresso.” Food industry veterans with lifelong aspirations to bring folks together over meals, Blincow and Smedley are now ready to open up a new spot in the Greenwood neighborhood. They just need a little help to finish the last leg of their journey.
The Money: By Oct. 13, the duo needs to raise $19,000 in order to get funded. Though much of their capital has come from loans and personal savings, they are hoping to secure this additional money to cover electric and plumbing costs, as well as final decorative pieces.
2. Pop-Up Holiday Greetings (via Kickstarter)
The Business: You might recognize crafty entrepreneur Natasha Dzurny from our Geeky Gift Guide. Now, this Jersey girl and owner of TechnoChic is hard at work on another new project: greeting-card kits with both pop-up and light-up capabilities. Her “Circuit Sentiments” are billed as “a fun way to learn simple circuitry and paper engineering,” and come with detailed instructions that allow users to build — then send — their love to someone they care about.
The Money: Dzurny is trying to raise $14,000 by Oct. 15 to purchase professional production and manufacturing machines for making the kits, in hopes of “saving biceps” and increasing overall output.
3. Building Communities Over Breakfast (and Lunch) (via Kickstarter)
The Business: Littleton, Colo., is the future home of GraceFull Cafe, a breakfast-and-lunch eatery designed to bring people together. Heather Greenwood and her co-owner, who is also her husband, are hoping to “provide an opportunity for guests to enjoy simple, affordable and healthy meals in an engaging community setting,” according to the campaign. Though the couple has funded much of the cafe’s startup costs out of their own pocket, they need some assistance ahead of their January 2016 opening.
The Money: By Oct. 23, Greenwood’s Kickstarter campaign must generate $10,000. With that money, she will be able to fund kitchen renovation costs like a new hood system, cooking line equipment and prep tables.
4. A Blissful Way to Stay Healthy (via Indiegogo)
The Business: Urban living can be stressful — just ask any Los Angeles resident. That’s why Lara Estrada wants to open Yoga Bliss in the Westchester neighborhood of the city. She hopes her studio will serve as a fun fitness alternative, as well as a calming oasis in the midst of everyday life — or as she puts it, “a place where people could remember what their spirit feels like, and believe in their dreams.”
The Money: Estrada has 37 more days to raise $10,000. Ahead of the Oct. 10 opening of her studio, she hopes to install bamboo floors and build out the reception area, as well as stock up on yoga mats and other workout tools. The money generated by her campaign will go toward those and other costs.
5. A Fun, Sexy Path to Wellness (via Indiegogo)
The Business: Amy Bond and the rest of the all-female staff at Studio Botan are offering San Francisco Bay Area residents of all genders, sizes and fitness levels the chance to strengthen and tone through pole dancing classes. Since 2012, they have trained everyone from beginners to national competitors in the art form. Now, they’re hoping to implement new, competition-standard poles to enhance the experience.
The Money: Bond and the Studio Botan crew hope to raise $8,000 within the next 57 days to purchase and install six new poles, while also safely removing the old ones.
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Want to be featured in The Story Exchange’s Crowdfunding column? Drop us a line and tell us about your campaign at [email protected].
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