When someone reads my story, they understand my situation and become part of my Bowtie Menswear family.

Hello, my name is G. Mercado. I am the owner of Bowtie Menswear LLC, and I am seeking your help for the expansion of the business.

HOW I GOT STARTED:

As I continue, my journey began in 2015 when I was at home recovering from a heart attack and had recently lost my job at Joann's Fabric. During my recovery, I realized that I needed to focus on getting well, but I also wanted to take control of my life. This led me to the decision to start my own business.

I launched Bowtie Menswear in 2019 because I was afraid of getting sick again while working for someone else. I decided to take a chance and yearned for something new and exciting.

With a strong background in training, I began planning and building my company using the limited funds from my savings account. As part of my healing process, I also created handcrafted bow ties, pocket squares, and other items. This venture not only helped me recover but also allowed me to pursue my passion.

During my healing process, while I kept up with doctor appointments, I began to generate ideas and started sewing. I created and sold a few bow ties to fund the business registration, cover expenses, purchase supplies, and pay bills. Since then, my company has grown from occupying a small closet to taking over a larger bedroom, which has now become my dedicated sewing room.

LOCATION:

My business is located in Florida, and like many others, I face challenges due to city regulations. Since I operate from home, I am not allowed to have a storefront, which means customers cannot pick up their orders in person. I can only fulfill orders through shipping via my e-commerce website. These limitations make it challenging to run a business in a private residential area. I also need to comply with city regulations to continue operating my business.

PRODUCTION:

As a single home-based business, I recognize that having additional assistance can significantly improve my production capacity and product availability, as I currently manage everything myself. This includes purchasing supplies, cutting and sewing, managing inventory data, creating web graphics, overseeing e-commerce operations, and handling bookkeeping—all within a bedroom I've converted into my workspace.

Having a warehouse would allow me to utilize my equipment more effectively and provide a store space to showcase my brand to the public. This would enable customers to see, touch, and choose products in person without any limitations.

I am excited to announce that this year, I have set up a GoFundMe account to support the expansion of my business. My goal is to raise sufficient funds to expand our product offerings, secure a small warehouse for unrestricted production, and establish a brick-and-mortar store location called "Bow Tie Menswear." This expansion will not only create a new retail space but also revive the classic appeal of bow ties. This project will also provide people with the opportunity to be part of the Bow Tie career.

GOAL:

The funds raised through this GoFundMe will be used not only to secure a building with a store but also to assist with construction. I am truly passionate about reviving the bow tie fashion, but I need support to overcome the challenges I face. Your support would mean the world to me. With your help, Bowtie Men's can become a recognized name in the bowtie industry.

Thank you for your support.

G mercado