Skip to main content

Slip n' Stitch by Toni | Growth & Survival

Support an unemployed Black woman who works on her small business full-time, as it grows and continues to achieve social good.

$240
pledged of$5,000 goal
3
0Days Left

Project Description

 

Slip n' Stitch by Toni Logo
Slip n' Stitch by Toni Logo

Slip n' Stitch by Toni is an online shop that sells custom-made knitted items, such as hats, scarves, headbands, and blankets, ranging from baby to adult sizes. We aim to create items that will make you smile and form new memories, for you or your family! Our mission is that we believe that no one should be barred access to something that would bring them joy.

Right before the start of the pandemic, my father suddenly passed away from cancer. About a week before, I had started knitting again, after not having done so for about 10 years—and I started to incorporate it more in my life as an activity that helped my mental health. I ended up starting this business in July 2020, as a side hustle and a passion project of mine, because I love knitting and love bringing joy to people with these knitted gifts. (Each order includes a card with a hand-written note and a tea gift for an extra touch of joy.) However, since the start of 2021, I have had a decrease in orders and, thus, revenue.

Although I am very much still learning all that there is to know about knitting, I am impressed with what I've learned thus far, the projects that I have done, and the impact that I have made. Since our founding, Slip n' Stitch by Toni has had sliding-scale prices and interest-free payment plans (if necessary) so that all of our items are accessible. Starting this year, we have been knitting items for Knots of Love, a charity that donates handmade caps to children, adults, and veterans across the United States. We've also added two Knots of Love hat patterns as hats that can be ordered so that a portion of the sale will go to Knots of Love. And we launched a sustainability initiative during Earth Month going forward: we will donate $1 to One Tree Planted for each sale that we make. I am determined to put some happiness and love back into the world.

Knots of Love Beanie Hat Pattern
Knots of Love Beanie Hat Pattern
Commission - Progress Pride Blanket
Commission - Progress Pride Blanket

Despite many obstacles in my personal life, I have been working especially hard in the last 2-3 months to expand and grow Slip n' Stitch by Toni. July 11, 2021 was the 1-year anniversary since we officially opened for business and a lot has changed since then. I’ve created a website, crowdfunded and applied for grants to scale the business, and intensified my advertising and marketing.

As exciting (and sometimes, scary) it has been to own and grow a business, I have been doing so while being chronically-ill/disabled, unemployed, and a caregiver during this pandemic. And as someone from a low-income household and the owner of a sole proprietorship, this business hasn't had much access to capital.

The funding goal for this campaign is $5000, and I need this funding to continue our mission of spreading smiles and love with our items. The funding will go towards donations to Knots of Love and the day-to-day operations of our business (which includes costs associated with supplies, materials, business services, and marketing & promotion). Eight out of 10 Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months; and nearly half of all Black-owned small businesses have ceased operations due to the pandemic. Every and any dollar that you contribute counts and keeps us doing the work that we want to do. 

If you contribute to our campaign, you are funding a real small business owner with real dreams, and investing in the Black community.

I also have a personal Patreon; if you subscribe, you will gain exclusive discounts to Slip n' Stitch by Toni all-year long. https://www.patreon.com/toniwilson.

I hope that you donate to Slip n' Stitch by Toni, a Black woman-owned business. Thank you for reading and please share our campaign with your network. You can contribute through any of the payment links on our digital business card (QR Code attached here).

Slip n' Stitch by Toni's HiHello Digital Business Card
Slip n' Stitch by Toni's HiHello Digital Business Card

The Campaign FAQs

N/A

Claudia Forrester
07/25/2021
Monetary Contribution
$100
John Romans
07/24/2021
Monetary Contribution
$40
Ida
06/10/2021
Monetary Contribution
$100
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

3 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Newburgh, NY
Created 1 Campaign
Lifestyle
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

3 Supporters
Select this reward