Main fundraiser photo

A.Z. Vintage Needs Your Help

Hi, Friends,

We all know this last year has not been easy—for any of us, in many different ways. And for me, running my small business has felt especially difficult.

When I wrote my initial business plan, it was for three years—I made it that far, WOO HOO! But I knew by my third year, things were going to be tight. However, this winter, I took a harder hit than I could have ever imagined.

Despite all the best planning, there are so many unforeseen expenses when operating a small business—tax payments, increasing utility rates, economic downturns, reliving high school when ‘90s fashions come back into style (OK, that last one might be more emotional than financial, but you get the idea).

The point is, guys, it’s not always fun. And I’m not a religious person, but it’s time to confess—I trimmed my paycheck out of this equation some time ago. I have tightened the belt in every way I can but it is still not enough.

In an effort to make ends meet, late last year I took a part-time job with Local First Bloomington. It was a fortunate happenstance that helped me realize, I was not the only one struggling—I see this every day in our community. Opening, owning, and operating a small business is not just a way of making money; it is a way of life. Local businesses are so important to Bloomington. I wouldn’t want to do this anywhere else on the planet. We have such a unique business culture here, and it is threatened every day by not-so-unique businesses and the ease of being able to shop online before considering local options. What do you want your Bloomington to look like? I hope it includes small businesses like mine, because that’s what I work for every day: this community.

Here’s where you come in. And, this part is scary, but ... I need help. My lease is ending soon, and as I look to the future, I see where adjustments need to be made. Right now, I need to buy some time to rewrite my business plan and incorporate the necessary adjustments to the updated vision of where A.Z. Vintage needs to go in the next three years. As hard as it is to ask for help and support, I would rather ask for your help before it is too late and I am out of business.

I love the Bloomington community. I love the amazing client base I have built and the friends I have made through the store. And I am not going down without a fight. This is my business, this is my heart. I have worked hard to carve out my niche in this community, and I refuse to give up what I have built, what we have all built together.

So, please, any amount you can give will make a huge difference, for me, for my business.

And I am not just asking for charity. If you love A.Z. Vintage, please shop here! I would love to have you come in and treat yourself or buy a gift certificate to treat someone else.

Thank you, friends, for taking a moment to read this and for all of your support.

Love,
Alison Zook
A.Z. Vintage

azvintagebloomington.com
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 9 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Alison Zook
Organizer
Bloomington, IN

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.