My wife and I started our cafe and wellness spa from scratch in Upstate New York, pouring our hearts into building a business with no debt and a strong sense of community. Just as we were entering our eighth year, Covid hit. Like so many others, we were forced to shut down, and despite our best efforts, we had to take on EIDL loans to pay back rent and keep the business afloat. Even after reopening, we faced mounting debt, eviction threats, and the ongoing challenges of inflation and increased costs.

Determined not to give up on our dream, we made the difficult decision to sell everything and move to Florida, opening a new cafe in a busy medical plaza. The journey hasn't been easy—double hurricanes, business closures, and the loss of our father have tested us in ways we never imagined. For the past four and a half years, my wife and I have worked the business ourselves, sacrificing time with family and our grandbabies, and putting every penny we have into keeping the doors open. Despite our efforts, the cost of goods, Covid debt, and the inability to afford help have made it nearly impossible to stay afloat.

We never thought we'd have to ask for donations, but we've tried everything we can think of to keep our cafe open. Your support—whether through a donation, sharing our story, or simply sending good thoughts—means more to us than words can say. Our belief has always been, 'Without you, we are not us.' Thank you for helping us continue our journey and for supporting small businesses like ours.