<div>My name is Halley and I'm a 14-year-old entrepreneur seeking a business boost. This is my first time using Gofundme.
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<div>Before I became the <em>youngest member </em>of the <strong>American Bookseller Association</strong>, I founded a literacy and pet adoption philanthropy called <a href="https://Http//www.pawsupkc.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Paws Up KC</strong></a>. That 501(c)(3) organization continues to operate a free Bookmobile which I began with a broken lawnmower and yard cart at age 11. I now give out 500+ books each year at over 40 free, outdoor community events. My current Bookmobile is a Cushman mini truck. I do it all. I drive the bookmobile, set up the booth, make the social media posts, and I work in the Winter to secure grant funding. I do most of my philanthropic work in northeastern Kansas which is why I've been locally recognized by <a href="https://issuu.com/inkansascity/docs/inkc_march2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IN Kansas City magazine</a>, <a href="https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/teen-shares-stories-raises-money-for-kansas-city-animal-shelters-through-book-store" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">41 Action News</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/SJBweSfUXrU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girls On The Run KC</a>, <a href="https://fox4kc.com/great-day-kc/sponsored-content-baron-bmw/breakfast-on-baron-halley-vincent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FOX 4 and the Baron Auto Group</a>, and <a href="https://www.thepitchkc.com/the-shape-of-punks-to-come-halley-vincents-activism-empire-spreads-from-atop-a-riding-mower/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pitch magazine</a>.
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<div><strong>But in November 2022 I also opened a new bookstore, called Seven Stories! </strong>I had just 96 ft.² to work with but I had to give it a shot. I sell everything from kid's books to adult novels to copies of the Constitution and handmade art. I know how to do a lot with very little! Here's what it looked like before and after I breathed life into the small space:
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<div>Seven Stories, like everything I do, is inclusive and reflects my community and family. I was surprised by how supportive people have been of my new bookstore (We even made the "Best of" list!) but then I realized that we were the only independent bookstore carrying stories by <em>and about</em> Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh people. All of those groups have houses of worship within 10 miles of our store. Also, we have a growing collection of Spanish and Mandarin language books because (after English), those are the two most common languages in our local area.
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<div>I set out to sell nicer and newer books than I could give away through my free, community Bookmobile and this turned out to fulfill a vital need in my community! Quickly my bookmobile supporters turned into bookstore customers and within six months I knew our store was way too small.
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<div><strong>Now I need your help… </strong>Because as our first-year lease comes to an end, we know 96 ft.² is <em>not</em> enough. We need a bigger store. I don't need thousands of square feet. I have a space picked out actually, which is a modest step up. Our new location will also be in a handicap accessible building with better foot traffic. But it's going to need some work, including <strong>full height, built-in bookshelves</strong> and <strong>modern LED lighting</strong>. The space will require <strong>substantial window signage</strong> and a <strong>plumber</strong>.
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<div><strong>I will have 30 days to quickly race and complete this work while also attending ninth-grade classes every day.</strong>
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<div>These improvements do not come cheap and <strong>I am an untraditional business owner</strong>. It's hard to get a loan when you don't have a long-established credit record, let alone when you're 14. What I do have is <strong>a long-established name and face</strong> here in my community and I'm hoping you will be willing to pitch in and pay it forward to help me make the new store a reality. My track record proves I am a good investment and even when I make mistakes, I am always adjusting and adapting. I promise just like every other project I have dreamed up and brought to you, my expanded bookstore will be something to brag about and be proud of! I envision version two of Seven Stories to be more of a community drop-in space with events partnered with local groups, local authors, and cooperative tie-ins with the businesses and restaurants around us.
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<div>Thank you for supporting our new direction and my passions. I cannot wait to share the new store experience with you!
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Samantha Reeves

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Write Chapter 2 For Seven Stories!

Write Chapter 2 For Seven Stories!

Still $1,709 to go. Help us build momentum.