Please Help Bush&Ivy Stay Alive!
Donation protected
H E L P Bush&Ivy stay alive!!!
Looking back:
After I became a single mom and working for a toxic employer, I knew I just couldn't work for someone else's bottom line any longer. The dream to become my own boss was born in 2015. In August 2016, after months and months of research, planning, searching for the right location, my dream became a reality. I was ecstatic...and terrified. Very soon thereafter, my previous toxic employer sued me for a bit over $16,000.00. I had to file bankruptcy. What was I to do? I had a tiny human I was trying to raise and a small business I was trying to get started. we ate beans and ramen....a lot. After a very painstaking year, the legal stuff (and all the anxiety and stress that came with it) was pretty much over. Bush&Ivy started to thrive. And then, in early 2020, this global pandemic hit...thus impacting small businesses, like mine. HARD. I am very grateful for the financial support of the government and my amazing clients....however, most of that went to back bills. Home, rent, vendors, bills, momming. And when we opened back up, in June, due to ALL the things, my days and hours were reduced by 50% and my revenue decreased by more than 75%. Yikes. I tried to hire employees..didn't work. Anyhow, I'm not your traditional hierarchical company. I'm a one man band.....either way, I tried but no one wanted to work and not many clients felt uncomfortable coming in for a service. I fell into a pretty deep (and by "pretty deep", I mean an "infinitely deep") pit of despair and hopelessness. I chose alcohol to cope. BAD. IDEA.
Looking forward:
I really have no idea what the future has in store for us. What happens when the moratorium lifts? What happens when the Government is done giving out money. I have one million "what ifs" swirling through my brain all. the. time. Meditation, prayer, nature walk, reading, hugging trees (yes...I do and it helps) music, yoga, connecting with a supportive community and abstaining from all toxic forms of self medicating. These things help slow me down and become more present in the moment. Along with saving my life and all that comes with it.
All I do know, is that each one of us has such amazing and special gifts to bring to this life. I am dreaming big and doing my best to bring forth mine. For you. For us. And I really need your help to co-create this.
The present now:
I am staying in Ballard for my folks (my amazing clients) but downsizing to a smaller suite as I just cannot afford the one I am in any longer. In Fall of 2020 I moved the kiddo and I out to Vashon Island, which is a short 15 minute ferry ride from West Seattle. It's beautiful and magical out here and everyday, I am so profoundly grateful that the planets, moon and stars aligned to get us here. Our home is lovely but...too big and too expensive for the two of us (when I have him...otherwise, just me). So...we're moving into a smaller home...which will be cozy...and we don't need much right now. Bummer part is that my current landlord is keeping every cent I paid him upfront (because Covid and I couldn't pay my rent one month)..and it’s okay. I am grateful he had that because ultimately I know we’re all trying to stay afloat....BUT this is the super sweet part...I found a magic cottage (I like to call it) for the new Bush&Ivy, here on Vashon. I am again ecstatic...and terrified. I can do this, right?
Anyhow - I am SO grateful for those of you (so far) who have dug deep into your pocketbooks and pulled out financial treasures for us. I have received donations from $10.00 up to $500.00!!! But we still have a ways to go. And honestly, anything helps at this point. I'm happy to post photos and videos of updates on how your donations are helping Bush&Ivy grow into something wonderful!
Thank you for reading this and considering donating. You guys are my miracles.
Christa
#SmallBusinessRelief
Looking back:
After I became a single mom and working for a toxic employer, I knew I just couldn't work for someone else's bottom line any longer. The dream to become my own boss was born in 2015. In August 2016, after months and months of research, planning, searching for the right location, my dream became a reality. I was ecstatic...and terrified. Very soon thereafter, my previous toxic employer sued me for a bit over $16,000.00. I had to file bankruptcy. What was I to do? I had a tiny human I was trying to raise and a small business I was trying to get started. we ate beans and ramen....a lot. After a very painstaking year, the legal stuff (and all the anxiety and stress that came with it) was pretty much over. Bush&Ivy started to thrive. And then, in early 2020, this global pandemic hit...thus impacting small businesses, like mine. HARD. I am very grateful for the financial support of the government and my amazing clients....however, most of that went to back bills. Home, rent, vendors, bills, momming. And when we opened back up, in June, due to ALL the things, my days and hours were reduced by 50% and my revenue decreased by more than 75%. Yikes. I tried to hire employees..didn't work. Anyhow, I'm not your traditional hierarchical company. I'm a one man band.....either way, I tried but no one wanted to work and not many clients felt uncomfortable coming in for a service. I fell into a pretty deep (and by "pretty deep", I mean an "infinitely deep") pit of despair and hopelessness. I chose alcohol to cope. BAD. IDEA.
Looking forward:
I really have no idea what the future has in store for us. What happens when the moratorium lifts? What happens when the Government is done giving out money. I have one million "what ifs" swirling through my brain all. the. time. Meditation, prayer, nature walk, reading, hugging trees (yes...I do and it helps) music, yoga, connecting with a supportive community and abstaining from all toxic forms of self medicating. These things help slow me down and become more present in the moment. Along with saving my life and all that comes with it.
All I do know, is that each one of us has such amazing and special gifts to bring to this life. I am dreaming big and doing my best to bring forth mine. For you. For us. And I really need your help to co-create this.
The present now:
I am staying in Ballard for my folks (my amazing clients) but downsizing to a smaller suite as I just cannot afford the one I am in any longer. In Fall of 2020 I moved the kiddo and I out to Vashon Island, which is a short 15 minute ferry ride from West Seattle. It's beautiful and magical out here and everyday, I am so profoundly grateful that the planets, moon and stars aligned to get us here. Our home is lovely but...too big and too expensive for the two of us (when I have him...otherwise, just me). So...we're moving into a smaller home...which will be cozy...and we don't need much right now. Bummer part is that my current landlord is keeping every cent I paid him upfront (because Covid and I couldn't pay my rent one month)..and it’s okay. I am grateful he had that because ultimately I know we’re all trying to stay afloat....BUT this is the super sweet part...I found a magic cottage (I like to call it) for the new Bush&Ivy, here on Vashon. I am again ecstatic...and terrified. I can do this, right?
Anyhow - I am SO grateful for those of you (so far) who have dug deep into your pocketbooks and pulled out financial treasures for us. I have received donations from $10.00 up to $500.00!!! But we still have a ways to go. And honestly, anything helps at this point. I'm happy to post photos and videos of updates on how your donations are helping Bush&Ivy grow into something wonderful!
Thank you for reading this and considering donating. You guys are my miracles.
Christa
#SmallBusinessRelief
Organizer
Christa Kelly
Organizer
Vashon, WA