Blu LLama Greenhouse Rebuild
Donation protected
My name is Brian Monk, and my business has been almost destroyed by hurricane Irma.
11 years ago, I started Blu Llama Orchids, a company that grew from my passion for orchids and photography. The business maintained itself, but there was no way for it to grow without adequate space. Three years ago, I moved my family to Naples, Florida, and after several months of fruitless searching, I found an old, used, bare-bones greenhouse structure that I could afford. Blu Llama Orchids exists on a shoestring budget, but I finally had the means to expand the business and pursue success as an orchid breeder, lecturer, and photographer. It took me 2 years to build this structure, again because my budget was very limited. What I couldn't make up with money, I made up with my time, and I have spent many hours fabricating new rafters, side walls, end walls, and adding to the structure to create a professional and very stable greenhouse. It is the centerpiece of my business, without which a commercial orchid grower (no matter how small) cannot function or even exist. Hurricane Irma blew through Collier County, Florida on September 9, just over a month ago, and completely destroyed all of my work over the last 2 and a half years. The bones of the greenhouse still stand, but the rafters and superstructure connecting everything was pulled apart. 3000 square feet of plants were sitting in a foot of water for almost a week, and I have lost all of the plants I sell, all of my seedlings, and almost half of my personal collection. As I said before, this business is a project of passion, and I have been trying to grow Blu LLama into something more, all while having a full time job and family obligations. It took over 2 years to put this together, and Irma destroyed it in day. Putting this back together cannot wait, but neither can I afford the cost of a timely repair, and this needs to be done as soon as possible. I have estimated the cost at somewhere between 7-10 thousand dollars, with $1000 for labor, $1000 for heavy equipment rental, and approximately $5000-$7000 for materials. I am asking humbly for your help.
Sincerely,
Brian Monk
11 years ago, I started Blu Llama Orchids, a company that grew from my passion for orchids and photography. The business maintained itself, but there was no way for it to grow without adequate space. Three years ago, I moved my family to Naples, Florida, and after several months of fruitless searching, I found an old, used, bare-bones greenhouse structure that I could afford. Blu Llama Orchids exists on a shoestring budget, but I finally had the means to expand the business and pursue success as an orchid breeder, lecturer, and photographer. It took me 2 years to build this structure, again because my budget was very limited. What I couldn't make up with money, I made up with my time, and I have spent many hours fabricating new rafters, side walls, end walls, and adding to the structure to create a professional and very stable greenhouse. It is the centerpiece of my business, without which a commercial orchid grower (no matter how small) cannot function or even exist. Hurricane Irma blew through Collier County, Florida on September 9, just over a month ago, and completely destroyed all of my work over the last 2 and a half years. The bones of the greenhouse still stand, but the rafters and superstructure connecting everything was pulled apart. 3000 square feet of plants were sitting in a foot of water for almost a week, and I have lost all of the plants I sell, all of my seedlings, and almost half of my personal collection. As I said before, this business is a project of passion, and I have been trying to grow Blu LLama into something more, all while having a full time job and family obligations. It took over 2 years to put this together, and Irma destroyed it in day. Putting this back together cannot wait, but neither can I afford the cost of a timely repair, and this needs to be done as soon as possible. I have estimated the cost at somewhere between 7-10 thousand dollars, with $1000 for labor, $1000 for heavy equipment rental, and approximately $5000-$7000 for materials. I am asking humbly for your help.
Sincerely,
Brian Monk
Organizer
Brian Monk
Organizer
Naples, FL
