Break the Taboo - Help me Expand Ms. Moxie's

Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop is a period positive, intimate wellness boutique in Old Town Alexandria, VA where TMI doesn’t exist. Designed to de-stigmatize and remove the taboo surrounding menstrual health (menstruation through menopause and all the phases in between) Ms. Moxie's provides workshops, resources, and products that are good for you, good for the environment, and build community.

My goal for the shop is that when customers come in, they feel they've entered a safe space where they can explore products and resources that make their life a little easier, a little more comfortable, and bring them joy.

And ultimately this empowers them to become their own advocates at home, school, work, or the doctor's office and ends the notion that we have to suffer in silence and suffer alone.

I could not be more excited about the huge impact this little shop can have and I invite you to join me - to build something really big and really important (and receive some really fun gifts!).

Unable to contribute financially? Share my story with everyone you know or wish me well on the adventure of a lifetime! Also - don't forget to scroll to the bottom to read store updates!

Love,

Emily

THE DETAILS

Hi! I'm Emily.

I'm an operational strategist that has spent the last 20 years building programs and organizations that help make the world a little bit better.

This past spring, I was looking for a new way to utilize my skills, when I found Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop. When I first entered the shop I was immediately energized - not only from the vibe but from the particular need this store fulfills (and therefore, the huge opportunity it possesses). That night I went home, I stalked the owner online and reached out to her to find out how I could support and expand the shop.

Meet Ann. Ann spent several decades as a trauma/critical care/medevac nurse, but she is also a creative visionary and entrepreneur.

When we met in person the following week (after confirming we had a shared vision for the shop) I casually mentioned, "If I ever owned a shop, this would be the exact shop I would own." and she responded with, “I'll sell you my shop!” and about a week after that, we realized we weren't kidding.

Take a quick tour with me to explore the current products, store layout, and general vibe (and see why I was so excited when I first entered):

Outside of the current business operations, this funding will support my vision to build greater community and expand on the work started in October 2022 by:

1. Increasing Efficiencies

2. Increasing Awareness

3. Increasing and Enhancing Programming

How we will do this

Within the first month, we will set up an advisory council including top experts in each of the specialty fields within women’s and menstrual health to inform all store decisions - from the products we source to the programming and resources we provide. And we will give our community regular access to these experts through intimate class experiences, office hours, and store tours both in person and virtually.

And the work to break the taboo - is inclusive.

Whether you are a parent that wants support when talking to, and preparing your children; a partner wanting to better understand what someone you love is experiencing; or you are an individual wanting to understand more about the things you are - or will experience - here you can ask specific questions but also can engage with a community for the chance to learn from each other's experiences.

And ultimately this empowers our community to become their own advocates at home, school, work, or the doctor's office and ends the notion that we have to suffer in silence and suffer alone.

We will also expand our reach by providing a space to celebrate. Plan a first period or hysterectomy party with friends, or hold your next book club surrounded by tutus made out of menstrual pads. And - we will throw these celebrations in partnership with our neighboring businesses so that we all grow together.

We will also work to end period poverty through ongoing product donations, and will constantly engage with women-focused organizations based on their particular needs.

And finally - we will build a franchise strategy so that we ensure everyone has access to this community and to this space.

Note: This round of funding is specifically for the Old Town location to solidify the proof of concept that will ultimately lead to the franchise strategy.

And to thank you for your contribution to building this community, I want to provide you a small token of my gratitude:

*Gift packs will include curated moon phase related products from period to incontinence disposable and/or reusable products, salves, balms and/or washes, plus age appropriate gift items.

**VIP (Very Important Pussy) Membership: One per month disposable period or incontinence product OR 2 reusable products per year; 10% off lubes, creams, washes, and wipes; bring a friend for 1/2 price to any paid class (up to 1 per month); discounts to select member retailers.

*** One party for you and up to 10 friends. Includes personalized shopping experience with 10% off everything in the store following the event.

Individuals contributing $10,000 or more will be contacted directly to discuss customized gratitude gift opportunities. All gifts will be coordinated directly with funders via email following the close of the campaign.

Note: I'm also able to take contributions through Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, Check, or Cash. If you prefer not to give through GoFundMe, please feel free to send another way and I'll update the totals on this page to reflect your contribution.

I am also looking for formal investors if you are interested in discussing this opportunity, please reach out.

THE NITTY GRITTY

Funding Transparency

The purchase of this store and implementation of the above vision will be funded by this crowd-funding effort, silent investors, myself, and if additional funds are needed, a small business loan.

We are looking to raise all funds by December 30, 2023 which includes the purchase price and closing costs plus three months of working capital to ensure a smooth transition between owners.

The funds from this crowd-funding effort will be deposited to my personal account and then moved to the new business accounts created for the business purchase following contract signature.

GoFundMe does take a portion of your gift - 2.9% of what is donated, plus 30 cents per transaction.

Definitions

Who is "we"

I use "we" throughout this page, and in the materials, because this store is about achieving impact together. Although I am leading this effort, anyone that funds this initiative, supports, shops, is employed by the shop, attends a class, etc. becomes a building block of Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop and contributes to the success, not just of the shop, but of the movement to break the taboo.

Menstrual Health

Physical and mental health during the different phases of female’s lives - menstruation through menopause and everything in between (World Health Organization, 2021).

Why "Moon" Shop?

From as early as Charles Darwin, civilizations have thought that menstruation was tied with the lunar cycle. More recently, a 2021 study suggests that human menstrual cycles may once have been synchronized with the lunar cycle, but that artificial light and modern lifestyles have disrupted that link. Find a number of studies, and their outcomes here.