Help to Reopen Ice Pick's Pies

Hello. My name is Gabrielle Faust. In 2018 I first launched my home baking business Ice Pick's Pies here in Austin, Texas. Using my own money I slowly began to build my business over the next three years with hopes of one day being able to have a brick and mortar bakery of my very own. I ran into roadblocks along the way however such as the inability to rent a commercial kitchen space in order to sell my baked goods, which were receiving wonderful reviews from my customers, to restaurants, etc. Then the pandemic happened and I was forced to shut down my cherished baking business as many individuals in the culinary world found themselves having to do. Everything I had worked so very hard to achieve was gone.

Since then people have asked me repeatedly if I would start making my pies, cookies, and other treats again, but I had returned to the corporate world with a work-from-home job in order to pay my bills during the pandemic. At the beginning of November 2023 I was laid off from said corporate job. During that time I have started baking with a limited menu once again. And I remembered the extreme joy it brought me. I remembered the passion I had for the dream of my business, Ice Pick's Pies and it made me realize that THIS is the dream I am supposed to be pursuing.

But this time, this time I want to be able to do it right. With the necessary funding to fully launch the business and make it a stable, viable, and profitable venture with the right financial foundation. That's why I am now asking for your support.

In 2023 it was estimated that a small baking business needs between $50,000 and $100,000 to properly open. I am hoping to raise $60,000. I have attempted to get a loan, but was told I do not have enough assets in order to obtain one. I am hoping that you all will be generous enough to contribute to this fundraiser, even if it's a single dollar, to help me raise the capital.

WHAT IS THE FUNDING FOR:

• Advertising

• Website upgrade to reactivate online store

• Accounting software

• Initial food supplies

• Packaging and food containers

• Promotional event for food bloggers to get word out

• Rent for space in a commercial kitchen so that my baked goods can be

sold at farmers’ markets, restaurants, etc.

• Equipment (stand mixer, new kitchen tools, storage racks, etc.)

• Business Insurance

• Hiring help when needed for larger orders

• ShipStation account and equipment

With your help I can finally fully achieve my dream bakery and relaunch Ice Pick's Pies!

TIERS OF GIVING & WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE IN RETURN:

All donors will have their name listed on a THANK YOU page on the website when it relaunches unless otherwise requested to be anonymous…

• $10 – Ice Pick’s Pies sticker

• $20 – Ice Pick’s Pies sticker & 1 pound of chocolate candy bark OR 1 dozen chocolate covered pretzel rods

• $50 – Ice Pick’s Pies sticker & a dozen cookies of your choice

• $100 – Ice Pick’s Pies sticker, a dozen cookies of your choice & 1 pound of chocolate candy bark & 1 dozen chocolate

• $500 – If you are local to the Austin area you may choose 1 pie per month for 6 months. If you are out of the Austin area and require shipping you will receive 6 monthly boxes of various cookies, candy bark, chocolate dipped pretzel rods, & brownies.

• $1000 – If you are local to the Austin area you may choose 1 pie & 1 dozen cookies of your choice per month for 12 months. If you are out of the Austin area and require shipping you will receive 12 medium-sized monthly boxes of various cookies, candy bark, chocolate dipped pretzel rods, & brownies.

• $2500 – If you are local to the Austin area you may choose 1 pie, 1 dozen cookies of your choice & another of our menu items per month for 12 months. If you are out of the Austin area and require shipping you will receive 12 monthly large-sized boxes of various cookies, candy bark, chocolate dipped pretzel rods, & brownies.

• $5000 – You will receive a you a large-sized box of baked goodies plus 2% ownership as a partner of Ice Pick’s Pies with an annual return until the $5K is repaid in full.

• $10000 – You will receive a large-sized box of baked goodies plus 5% ownership as a partner of Ice Pick’s Pies with an annual return until the $10K is repaid in full.