Submitted by Katie Hellmuth on | 0 Comments
Small businesses support each other. We know that we've taken great risks and made great personal sacrifices to build a business that helps us build the life we want.
Super Storm Sandy devastated a lot of business. From Eileen Fischer's story of being wiped out to shops like Barneby Black's inventory being washed out with the tides, many businesses you know and love suffered because they are based in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
One of our members was hit especially hard, but her spirit was not. Mariann Smith, founder and lead soap maker for Just Bubbly is a super trooper of business owners. The day after the storm, we texted her to see how she was. Here's what she texted back:
We lost everything.
Our home was destroyed.
Our shop was destroyed.
Our cars were destroyed.
Storage and everything destroyed.
We have not seen any help here and have no way to stay in touch with any resources.
We are in desperate need of a plumber, an electrician, a contractor...We cannot get any heat and power until we're checked out. There is a nor'easter coming this week and I will be here all alone. Please ask around or just send someone here.
May God help us all.
Her response was so shocking, we knew we had to do something.
We created a GoFundMe fundraising account for Mariann, and are spreading the word to her friends and to you to make a donation into it.
One of the scariest things for a business owner is to commit to a life of an inconsistent paycheck. Getting paid is reliant upon what you can sell. If you can't sell, you don't get paid. This is often the shock of a first time entrepreneur - vacation time. Usually doesn't happen. A business owner is often too afraid to stop working.
But when a storm wipes out your business and ability to make more of it, it can be paralyzing.
Please help us help Mariann rebuild her production shop so that she can keep making and selling soap, so that she can keep living the life she has built.
Here are some specifics you should know about your donation:
- Not tax deductible: We didn't set up a 501C3, and this is a designation to who gets your funds. So, it's not tax deductible. We just wanted to get help to Mariann as quickly as possible.
- Tin Shingle does not take a portion: Mariann gets all of your donation. GoFundMe does take a cut of 5% for providing that service of setting up a personal website and processing the credit card.
- This really is just an account to help Mariann. She gets the funds right away.
Many many thanks for your support.
Click here to make a donation.
xoxoxo.
