Building Dreams Together: Support My Coffee Stand Venture!

Hello! I understand that what follows may seem lengthy, but I believe that if you are considering supporting my dream by contributing funds, you deserve to know the backstory. I kindly ask for your time to read through and potentially consider making a donation towards my dream business. Your support, in advance, is greatly appreciated. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to consider helping me achieve my dream.

I also hope that if you are unable to donate, you could kindly consider sharing my GoFundMe campaign with your peers and friends. Whether through Instagram stories or any other platform, any form of help, no matter how small, is truly appreciated. Thank you for your consideration and let's embark on this journey together!

As many of you know me by, I am Daz! I am currently raising funds to start my own business. Based on my calculations, I estimate that I will need about $100,000. Yes, it may seem insane, but I am only asking for help with half of that amount. I understand that this is an ambitious goal, but I have come to realize that it is okay to ask for help. After all, the pyramids were not built by one person, right? It took teamwork.

On Saturday morning, I made the decision to quit my job at Do Si Do Bikini Espresso. I have always had the aspiration to open my own stand, but life has not always been kind to me. I was brought to the USA as a one-year-old child and faced many challenges as an undocumented individual. Despite this, I have never let these obstacles hold me back. I continue to fight every day and hope to achieve my goal sooner rather than later. Thankfully, DACA eventually came into existence, allowing me to obtain a job.

After almost four years of working at the stand, I decided to quit. You may be wondering why. As the years went by, the work environment only deteriorated. Equipment was constantly breaking, and the boss would wait until the last minute or simply not listen to our concerns. While claiming to not have money, they would post about constant vacations and spending. It became clear that investing in the business was not a priority for them. Instead, they seemed focused on benefiting from it and treating us as replaceable assets. We were not seen as people who also needed to make a living and survive in an economy that is constantly inflating.

Working as a bikini barista involves making drinks like any other stand, with the only difference being that we do so in bikinis, similar to beach bars or people at pools and beaches. Unfortunately, some individuals engaged in inappropriate behavior such as spreading rumors, body shaming, “extras”, and creating a toxic work environment out of jealousy. The owner acknowledged these issues being caught on camera but failed to take appropriate action, leading to a worsening situation.

Despite my efforts to maintain cleanliness, manage chores, and foster teamwork, I was wrongly portrayed as a negative influence. I was once even fired under false pretenses of laziness, despite providing medical evidence to the contrary. When rehired, I took on the most shifts, covered for absent colleagues, and consistently upheld my responsibilities, unlike others who frequently called out for unjustified reasons.

While I faced consequences for minor issues like tardiness, those causing major disruptions were not held accountable. Ethical discrepancies and favoritism were evident, with workers engaging in unethical behavior being rewarded due to their “special extra interactions” with customers which was the cause for the influx of more sales through certain employees.

Despite my diligence and efforts, I was not appreciated or acknowledged appropriately.

Attempts to address these concerns with the boss were unsuccessful, as my feedback was disregarded, leading me to feel unsupported and unsafe in the work environment. Despite my consistent communication and requests for improvement, the situation remained unchanged, leaving me with no option but to seek a better work environment.

In conclusion, the lack of accountability, favoritism, and failure to address toxic workplace behavior led to my decision to leave the job. I believe in fostering a positive and respectful work environment, which was not possible in the given circumstances.

As a future business owner, I aspire to be a leader rather than just a boss. I am committed to creating a work environment that feels like a second home for my employees. I want them to trust me and feel comfortable approaching me with any concerns, as I believe that ensuring their contentment is crucial. A positive work environment and satisfied customers depend greatly on the owner's leadership. When the leader fosters a good atmosphere, the employees will naturally follow suit.

I am dedicated to listening to my employees and investing in my business to ensure its success. I aim to be an entrepreneur who values more than just financial gains; I want to create a welcoming space where others can achieve their goals. Your support, regardless of the amount, will contribute to making this vision a reality. I am diligently saving and working towards the goal of opening my coffee stand by the end of this year. Your assistance, no matter how small, will be immensely appreciated. Thank you for considering helping me achieve my dream.