Help Me Help My Community
Covid-19 has changed the world, and the impact has been huge for the self-employed and micro businesses, help me help them.
Project Description
- Spring is about renewal and rebirth, and Momma Moon was looking at a re-brand and re-launch. Enter the Covid-19 Pandemic. On March 1, 2020 we had our first confirmed case of Covid -19 in New York State, by March 20th, our Governor had closed all non-essential businesses. Massage and Doula services were deemed non-essential. Those who have suffered birth trauma and struggled in the postpartum will tell you that these services are ESSENTIAL. I have a dream of being able to provide Massage and Doula Services to low-income families who are most at risk for Birth Trauma and Postpartum Disparity. "It takes a Village" to have a successful Pregnancy, Labor and Thriving Postpartum, my job is to help identify and build that Village with new families.
- Self-employed people and micro-businesses (those with fewer than 50 employees) are seeing very little in the way of economic relief.
- Phase 1 of this campaign is to replace three months of base income ($2,000/month) so that I can reopen my doors when the pandemic has passed.
- In replacing my basic income for April, May and June I will not need to draw off the already overtaxed Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program through my State Unemployment Offices.
- Phase 1 of this campaign is to replace three months of base income ($2,000/month) so that I can reopen my doors when the pandemic has passed.
- Micro-businesses and Self-Employed people are looking for business opportunities to allow them to survive the Covid-19 Crisis, as well as continue to support other local businesses.
- Phase 2 of the campaign is about preparing my micro-business to relaunch in a relevant manner while supporting a number of other local businesses (some one offs and other continuing partnerships).
- Low-Income Families (especially families of color) see increased rates of birth trauma and maternal mortality.
- Phase 3 of this campaign will allow Momma Moon to operate for the remainder of 2020 without concern for my own income, and therefore offer my massage, Reiki and doula services (through a business relationship with Medicaid Midwifery and OB/GYN Practices) to low-income families who otherwise would not have access to such services.
- Momma Moon Massage will provide low and no cost monthly pregnancy massage services with a monthly Doula meeting in order to help low-income families be best prepared for a positive birth experience, while also making plans for a successful Postpartum. I will also provide Labor and Delivery Doula Services wrapping into 6 weeks of full time postpartum Doula care, then spreading out to 1 visit/week, then 1 visit per month for the first year postpartum.
- At this time, I am seeking $6,000 to replace my April, May and June 2020 income that is lost to the current pandemic.
- The next $7,800 will go to re-branding my business and positioning me as a industry expert and leader for re-opening in July/August 2020. This includes:
- Additional training with Certifications through the Somatic Institute and One Strong Mama ($1,000);
- Website redesign with e-commerce options I am still shopping for a local woman owned business (preferably minority owned). ($3,000);
- Photos and Videos for my social media accounts and website. Once again looking for a local women owned business (preferably minority owned). ($1000)
- Logo Redesign by www.https://instagram.com/sowolu ($500)
- Window Treatments for 2 Treatment Rooms, increases privacy and creates a more welcoming environment. Window treatments will be provided and installed by local woman owned businesses Stitch & Bitch Custom Designs www.stichandb.com ($1000)
- Waiting Room benches burned with awesome anatomy art by Meg of Unstrung Studios (www.unstrungstudios.com) ($1000)
- Signage from local business www.Instagram.com/LoboLettering ($300)
- The final phase of this campaign is replacing the balance of my 2020 income so that I can work gratis with low-income families to provide Massage, Reiki and Doula Services from early in the pregnancy through the first year postpartum.
- This will not be possible without the generosity of many individuals and some true Angels. Thank you! I know that times of tough for the vast majority of Americans, but I have heard from many in a position to help local businesses and they want a way to support and help, why not one that ripples out to other local businesses and benefits low-income families for a lifetime?
The Campaign FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Why a crowd funding campaign, and not a KIVA Loan?
- I applied for a KIVA Loan over a year ago, and they determined I was not a good loan risk. This means that my business is not profitable enough to pay back a loan. That is not a flaw, it is by design. I am a one woman show, and my goal is to help as many families as I can. To that end I offer Gratis and Discounted services as often as I can.
- Why not take advantage of the PPP created under the March 30, 2020 CARES ACT?
- This is also a loan, and I am not profitable enough to receive even an SBA backed loan. In addition the PPP requires that I have at least 2 employees and I am currently a one woman show. PPP ran out of funds on 4/20/20.
- What about the EDIL Grant/Loan through the SBA?
- This is a loan with $1000 per employee to be issued immediately as a GRANT. I have no employees.
- What about PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance)?
- I have applied for PUA, and it will be 2-4 more weeks (I have already been without income for 4 weeks) before PUA claims are processed with more time before they are paid. I would much rather begin my online training with The Somatic Institute and One Strong Mama, so that I am poised to dive right in when the Pandemic restrictions on businesses are lifted.
- Why work with low-income families?
- These individuals are the MOST in need of Bodywork, Birth Doula support and Postpartum Doula support but statistically the least able to afford it.
My gratitude and the knowledge that you have helped many local businesses and supported a number of low-income families as they transition to parenthood.
I'll send you a virtual high five and shout out on my Instagram, Facebook and Google Pages.
Hero contributors at this level will become part of a virtual wall of fame on my website. Please note this will not go into action until Phase I and 2 (12,500) are fully funded as I will need my web designed to create the virtual wall for my website.
Virtual Wall of Fame Supporters will also receive a mention in a daily Thank you shout out with my Everyday Heroes.
With this funding option you or your business will receive a live link for one full year from my Virtual Wall of Fame to your website. Please note I will not link to explicit websites, or websites that promote any form or hate.
You will receive a 90 minute 1-1 virtual class with me about planning for a THRIVING Postpartum experience. This can be gifted.
Let's make sure you have all of your bases covered before baby arrives so that are not Googling professionals and trying to interview and decide who to bring into your sacred space on day 5 of sleep deprivation.
Not only do you get a 90 Minute 1-1 with Momma Moon to Plan Your Postpartum Experience, you get a SECOND live call with Momma Moon during your Postpartum. It's the Virtual Doula Service. I have been offering Virtual Doula Services for over a year and the overwhelming response from recipients it that it was exactly what they needed. A little check in with someone, but not needing to feel like they were entertaining a guest...
This reward can be gifted.
Maybe you are on your journey to Pregnancy and there have been some hurdles, and winding roads. A Fertility Doula can be a valuable tool, and this is an easy transition to the Virtual World. This is a 3 Month long offer of Virtual Support (scheduled and JUST BECAUSE).
This can be gifted.
If you are local to ROCHESTER, NY or you know someone who is you can give the gift of Postpartum Support. This is 60 HOURS of support. You can also GIFT this to a low-income family that I will support in the second half of 2020.
Rewards
My gratitude and the knowledge that you have helped many local businesses and supported a number of low-income families as they transition to parenthood.
I'll send you a virtual high five and shout out on my Instagram, Facebook and Google Pages.
Hero contributors at this level will become part of a virtual wall of fame on my website. Please note this will not go into action until Phase I and 2 (12,500) are fully funded as I will need my web designed to create the virtual wall for my website.
Virtual Wall of Fame Supporters will also receive a mention in a daily Thank you shout out with my Everyday Heroes.
With this funding option you or your business will receive a live link for one full year from my Virtual Wall of Fame to your website. Please note I will not link to explicit websites, or websites that promote any form or hate.
You will receive a 90 minute 1-1 virtual class with me about planning for a THRIVING Postpartum experience. This can be gifted.
Let's make sure you have all of your bases covered before baby arrives so that are not Googling professionals and trying to interview and decide who to bring into your sacred space on day 5 of sleep deprivation.
Not only do you get a 90 Minute 1-1 with Momma Moon to Plan Your Postpartum Experience, you get a SECOND live call with Momma Moon during your Postpartum. It's the Virtual Doula Service. I have been offering Virtual Doula Services for over a year and the overwhelming response from recipients it that it was exactly what they needed. A little check in with someone, but not needing to feel like they were entertaining a guest...
This reward can be gifted.
Maybe you are on your journey to Pregnancy and there have been some hurdles, and winding roads. A Fertility Doula can be a valuable tool, and this is an easy transition to the Virtual World. This is a 3 Month long offer of Virtual Support (scheduled and JUST BECAUSE).
This can be gifted.
If you are local to ROCHESTER, NY or you know someone who is you can give the gift of Postpartum Support. This is 60 HOURS of support. You can also GIFT this to a low-income family that I will support in the second half of 2020.