Whether they’re making and selling bug sprays, textiles or desserts, these crowdfunding women are doing things their way — and with a focus on keeping their products simple, all-natural and accessible. Read all about their ventures, and their crowdfunding efforts, below!
Check out these 5 women-led crowdfunding campaigns:
1. Toxin-Free Tick Spray (via Indiegogo)
The Business: Rogue Remedies is a new player in the bug spray game, founded late last year by owner Wendy Clubb. Though her venture is just getting off the ground, the Quebec-based entrepreneur has done her homework, and says she’s found the ideal solution to the growing tick problem plaguing eastern portions of the Canadian province. “The idea behind The Tick Mix is to put them off your scent with a scent they do not like,” the campaign says. Now, she’s ready to get her products on shelves and in the hands of customers.
The Money: Within the next 17 days, Clubb hopes to raise $10,000 Canadian. Half the amount will be allocated for product development, acquiring raw materials and packaging. The rest will go toward business development, shipping and other fees.
2. Adventurous Ice Cream (via Kickstarter)
The Business: Little Spoon Ice Cream is the brainchild of Jen McNew. Her new venture is presently accessible through her blog, The Little Spoonful, and her business model focuses on using ingredients sourced from her hometown of San Lopez, Wash., to make some truly unique flavors. Offerings include lavender chip, black sesame and “birthday bay,” a bay leaf-flavored ice cream with yellow cake and orange curd mixed in. McNew aims to sell her ice creams at local farmers markets and beyond. “I’m also working on a direct delivery service of pints to the Seattle area,” she says in her campaign pitch.
The Money: By or before May 11, McNew needs to raise at least $3,500 to receive funding. If she succeeds, she will use the money to procure an ice cream cart and other supplies, pay for marketing and promotional materials, cover permits and applications, and handle other costs.
3. Hand-Crafted Textiles (via Kickstarter)
The Business: Brooklyn-based duo Emma Wingfield and Laine Henry are co-owners of Five and Six Textiles. Their company sells handwoven textile goods made in collaboration with a collective located in Waraniéné, a village in the northern region of Côte d’Ivoire. The duo’s goal is to create products with contemporary flair using ethical methods, allowing customers to “feel good about what you are purchasing,” their campaign page says. Wingfield and Henry are now ready to launch their inaugural line, which will be available through their Kickstarter effort.
The Money: Wingfield and Henry will use funds given to their campaign to finish production and implement distribution of their signature bags, pillows, wall hangings and more. The team has until May 14 to raise their goal amount of $20,000.
4. Vegan Cooking with Jewish Flair (via Kickstarter)
The Business: After grappling with unexplained health issues, Portland, Ore.-based chef and blogger Estee Raviv solved the mystery of her digestive woes by going vegan. Once she eliminated animal products from her life (dairy, in particular), she noticed significant improvements to her overall well-being. Inspired, Raviv decided to share her recipes with the world. Initially, she did so through her blog, spilling the details of her unique Jewish and Mediterranean dishes with her online followers. Now, she’s gathering the best ones into her first book, “Oy Vey Vegan.”
The Money: Raviv is trying to raise $35,000 by May 16. If she does, she will put the money toward production of the book, which she will be publishing herself. Costs include graphic design and printing.
5. “Hoof to Hanger” Goods (via Indiegogo)
The Business: Suzanne Barnes of Bridgman, Mich., is taking advantage of the agricultural bounty around her through Hoof-to-Hanger Fibers. Her venture makes yarn and spinning fiber, as well as completed knit goods, then sells them at her store, The Sandpiper. Through this campaign, she’s hoping to ramp up production. “With a very active 4-H and agricultural base surrounding us, we would like to increase our processing capacity and education space to assist and engage future and current fiber enthusiasts,” the campaign says.
The Money: In order to accomplish her goal, Barnes wants to build a fiber mill at the store’s current facilities. To do so, she needs to raise $223,000 before her campaign concludes in two months.
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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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