Innovative Business Models

When you think of a female-led venture, what type of operation comes to mind? The correct answer: anything and everything! We've rounded up a diverse mix of woman-run businesses for your crowdfunding investment consideration. Interested in dog bed makers? See below. Swedish video game makers? Check. And that's just the beginning. Check out these five crowdfunding campaigns from women-led businesses below: 1. Improving an All-Natural Skin Care Line (via Kickstarter) The Business: Esthetician Khaki Paquette is the entrepreneurial force behind Khaki's Bomb Balm. Her natural skin care line includes moisturizers, cleansers and masks, all of which are made in small batches with high-quality ingredients. Presently, Paquette is cooking up her products in her Massachusetts home and selling her wares through her Etsy shop. The Money: Paquette is trying to raise $6,500 by March 19. With that funding, she primarily hopes to open a studio space for her business. She would also stockpile all-natural ingredients, purchase new equipment and generate promotional materials with the money earned through her crowdfunding initiative. 2. Launching a Food-Focused Photography Biz (via Indiegogo) Credit: Indiegogo The Business: Christina Marie Carson of Traverse City, Mich., has just taken a leap of faith into the world of business ownership. Her new venture, Toot Sweet, is all about elevating delicious eats through beautiful imagery -- Carson is looking to make a more lasting impression in both the food and photography worlds through her business. The Money: By March 15, Carson hopes to raise $2,000. If she does, the money will go toward lighting equipment, a new camera and several marketing efforts. Even if the campaign falls short, however, she will receive some of the funds generated (thanks to the site's Flexible Funding program). 3. Denim Doggie Beds with a Heart (via Kickstarter) The Business: Brooklyn-based business DEN -- run by entrepreneur Christina Megill -- is churning out comfortable, affordable dog beds for pups near and far. And for every bed she sells to a pet owner, another one is donated to a rescue dog in need. "Being without a home is a stressful time for dogs," she says. "Providing a familiar object, a bed to call their very own, is one way to ease their anxiety." The Money: Megill has already raised over $5,800 of her $7,500 goal amount. Should the campaign get funded, the money will be used toward fabric, shipping and production costs. 4. Female Programmers Bringing the Beauty of Words to Gaming (via Kickstarter) The Business: Swedish programmers Karin Ryding and Bobbi A. Sand are the dynamic duo behind Ozma Games. Together, they develop video games, apps and more that inspire creativity and collaboration in players. The team is presently working on "Words of Oz," a poetry-based video game. A beta version is available online, but Sand and Ryding are now looking to take it to the next level. The Money: Ozma Games is looking to raise 120,000 in Swedish Krona (or just over $14,000), which will help move the game beyond the beta stage by improving design and adding sharing functions. The team has until March 31 to meet or exceed this goal. 5. A Big Vision for a Miniature Venture (via Indiegogo) Credit: Indiegogo The Business: Ling Hooi Yin of TinyPinc turns everything from Oreo cookies to Baby Groots (of "Guardians of the Galaxy" fame) into figurines the size of a thumbnail, then sells them through her Etsy shop. She ran TinyPinc as a sideline for years -- during "sleepless nights of college and work," she says -- but now, the Malaysian craft seller is ready to make it her main focus. The Money: Yin has set a fundraising goal of $2,000, which she hopes to meet on or before April 23. The money will allow her to secure a better workstation, source better materials and make improvements to packaging, among other things. Even if the goal is not met, however, she will receive some money from the campaign, thanks to the Flexible Funding option. Want to be featured in The Story Exchange's Crowdfunding column? Drop us a line and tell us about your campaign at info@thestoryexchange.org.

Innovative Business Models

5 Crowdfunders to Watch – There’s Something For Everyone

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