<div>Dear Communities and Friends,
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<div><br />
</div>
<div>I am reaching out to each one of you for a little support as I grow my fledgling esthetics business. As you know, before this I spent years working as an executive director fighting gender-based violence (GBV) — work that was so meaningful and rewarding to me, but also work that was often exhausting and challenging. Like so many of us, I often put productivity ahead of my own well-being and personal health.
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<div><br />
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<div>Becoming an esthetician has been part of my healing. This is a way for me to stay connected to care work and support survivors, but in a more sustainable and nourishing way. This transition has allowed me to show up differently — for others and for myself.
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<div><strong>My vision for this business</strong>
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<div>Community will always be in my soul, so my vision for my esthetics business is one that centers and serves under-represented communities, particularly disAbled folks, trans folks, and GBV survivors. We are going to provide specialized skincare and beauty services in ways that feel safe, accessible, and affirming.
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<div><br />
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<div>Down the line, my long-term goal is to open a day spa. I would love to expand by weaving in vocational opportunities — things like job training and employment for folks who have faced systemic barriers in the job market — so that the work not only supports folks’ wellness, but also opens doors to stability and empowerment. To me, esthetics isn’t just about how you look — it’s about how you feel, how you heal, and how you’re supported in the community.
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<div><br />
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<div><strong>Why I am raising funds for my business</strong>
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<div>As a Black Deaf woman and first-gen Eritrean American raised by immigrant and refugee parents, this journey has been and continues to be deeply personal for me. My time working within a nonprofit exposed me to harsh realities of racism and audism. It’s been so heartbreaking to encounter such pervasive biases and systemic barriers. These experiences underscore the importance of self-care in maintaining my resilience and mental health.
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<div><br />
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<div>“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare” -Audre Lorde
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<div><br />
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<div>Self-care became a form of resistance for me. It was about protecting my mental and emotional space from the negative impacts of racism and audism. I wanted to ensure that I stayed grounded and empowered, to surround myself with supportive communities and engage in activities that uplifted me, helped me navigate those challenges with strength and grace.
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<div><br />
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<div>Grief is a profound journey, and it is one that many of us face at different points in our lives. When you experience grief, self-care is essential in your healing process. It is not about forgetting or moving on quickly. It is about allowing yourself to grieve fully and tenderly.
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<div><br />
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<div>All the ways of honoring your emotions and keeping faith in the healing process are important. Self-care during grief is not about rushing through the pain — it’s a reminder that healing is a journey, one that requires faith in the process and the promise of eventual peace.
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<div><strong>How you can support me</strong>
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<div>Getting access to capital and startup funding isn’t easy — especially for women of color, and even more so for Black women. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/asiaalexander/2024/06/24/black-founders-still-struggle-for-their-share-of-venture-capital-funding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Less than</a> 1% of us get access to capital, so most of us end up self-funding and, a lot of the time, putting up our own life-savings just to get things off the ground.
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<div>I know this is not going to be an easy endeavor, but you know me — I’m down for the hustle and that’s why I’m crowdfunding. (I’m also planning to use SBA and CDFI loans, along with a few startup grants — programs that are built to support minority-owned businesses like mine.)
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<div>All that to say, I’m exploring all the options to fulfill this vision that is sorely needed in our communities, and I would love for you to come along and be a part of this with me. The funds you give will help:
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<div><br />
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<ul>
<li>Cover basic expenses needed to set up the business (mobile spa supplies &amp; equipment, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting costs to attend business development &amp; other meetings, branding/marketing, specialized training and certifications, business registration &amp; insurance, as well as a contingency &amp; launch fund)
</li>
<li>Realize a space where disAbled folks, trans folks, and survivors are centered and cared for — celebrated in their own skin and not treated like an afterthought
</li>
<li>Generate public interest to gain greater access to funding streams that Women of Color are typically shut out of
</li>
<li>Partnerships with vocational rehabilitation services and organizations to promote economic empowerment and open doors for so many folks
</li>
</ul>
<div><br />
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<div>I appreciate you taking the time to read my story. Please share with others who will be interested in learning. If you know of resources that I should know about, connect with me on LinkedIn.
</div>
<div><br />
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<div>With gratitude,
</div>
<div>Napal
</div>

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Creating healing space with and for our Community

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

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UC Tipping v20250115 International

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Android at or above 12.2.0

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start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

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AI Chatbot Audience

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UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

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Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

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Team EGG - IP Address list

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Survicate

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PYMK has donors

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Creating healing space with and for our Community

Still $12,330 to go. Help us build momentum.