Crowdfunding
When I realized that SHIFT HAD to happen, I spent a good deal of time thinking about the “how”. Starting a business is not easy and filled with challenges and second guessing. One of the first and biggest was how to move forward in financing this venture. There are, of course many options, and just as many outside opinions that go along with each.
I chose crowdfunding for a few reasons:
I have supported other businesses through crowdfunding. The pursuit of their goal is exciting to watch and a wonderful way to build and support community.
SHIFT is not going to make millions of dollars right away. The income portion is not the focus, and making millions isn’t the intention. Supporting mental health, building wellness, growing awareness of Self, crushing stigma— those are the goals.
Debt is dumb and I don’t want it. SHIFT could be funded in a more traditional fashion by getting a small business loan. It could. However, it can also be done by avoiding debt from the onset, and that will be a dream. There is plenty of student loan debt already wrapped up in the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) I will use to make SHIFT a unique mental health service.
The decision to go forward with crowdfunding took six months or more, and then even more months to create and make ready the campaign. I am grateful for those months to hold SHIFT in my mind and heart, turning it over and over smoothing the rough edges. Perhaps some people think crowdfunding is premature, unplanned, spontaneous. For me it was none of those things. This venture was preceded by years of brainstorming, of bouncing ideas off of others, returning to the drawing board, researching similar business concepts, and taking entrepreneurial courses to make sure I was ready for this leap.
I am proud of what I am building. I am proud of inviting others to join in the building. I am excited to all that I have to offer in return.
Light and Love,
Karen
