In January of 2020, I started a little independent company called Breathe Easy Gardening, LLC. That first year was rough, for obvious reasons, but I persevered and for the next 5 years, I was happily self-employed. I never made very much, but my spouse and I scraped by, and I appreciated the freedom, flexibility, and simple joy of doing something I genuinely love for my income.

At the end of 2024, I made the painful decision to close the business, as I didn't have enough money to renew my licenses, and the insurance requirements were going to dramatically increase the following year.

After a year and a couple of months trying to pursue "normal" employment - I have found that things are unequivocally NOT better out here. During a conversation with a friend recently, I pointed out, "At least when I was self-employed, I felt like I had SOME measure of control and more ability to adapt." She asked why I didn't restart my business, and I explained my two major reasons:

1) I was always good at the gardening, but never very good at the marketing. I would need a lot more clients to make things work, and I always struggled to find new business.

2) I STILL don't have the money to renew my licenses.

She volunteered to help with the first. This fundraiser is to address the second.

I will need approximately $500 to cover the fees associated with registering my business as a legal entity again. (I am forgoing the contractor's license and reseller permit for the time being, which is where the expensive insurance comes in. This will somewhat limit what kind of work I can do, but not by a lot, as I tend to stick to light work anyway). I also have some tools that are in rough shape and need replacing. Anything I make beyond that amount will go to help pay my bills and stabilize our household finances while my friend and I build my business back up again.

Want to help but don't have money to donate? I would also appreciate any assistance I can get in finding new clients! My goal is to have 15-20 regular maintenance clients and I will be offering services in the Bothell, Woodinville, Kirkland, Redmond, and Bellevue areas. If you know anyone who is looking for high-quality, knowledgeable garden care, please give them my name!