Keep Loc Lov Salons Open
Donation protected
My name is Salih Watts, owner of Loc Lov Salons. Loc Lov has two locations, one in DC and the other in LA. I relocated to LA from DC in July 2019 to open our LA location which subsequently opened in August 2019. The move to LA was a result of Loc Lov's attempt to fulfill the need for a natural hair salon in Los Angeles with a special focus on locs. Unfortunately we were only open eight months before the onset of COVID-19.
As a business you always prepare for a rainy day but the rain has turned out to be a hurricane. Initially I didn't think I would need funding because I thought we would be closed for no more than two months, which I was prepared to handle. Between both locations, I am responsible for 8k in rent monthly, so that’s 8k multiplied by however many months we are pending being closed. So far it’s been two months and we recently got word that we will be closed for at least an additional two to three more months. That's when it became clear that we would need funding soon and that I had to start doing something differently and quickly.
Unfortunately, we were only open for eight months before this happened and don’t have enough of a following to sustain the expenses we will have once this is over. Before Covid-19, I planned on being in LA for 3 years but I’m preparing now to move back to DC. The plan is to generate enough revenue on the east coast once DC opens to sustain the west coast until we are able to open again. This is already in uphill battle because the past two months have already dried up savings. This entire experience has been very humbling
Funding would allow us to cover the rent for the time we've been closed.
- 17k would cover rent and utilities for the past 2 months for both locations
- 9k would cover the next 2-3 months Loc Lov LA will be closed.
- 7k would allow me to offer small donations to 8 out of 12 of our staff who have been struggling to make ends meet.
Because of new safety requirements all staff won’t be able to return to the salon at once. New distancing guidelines will force us to reduce the number of people in the salon at one time. So some of the Loc Lov team will feel the impact of COVID-19 after we reopen. I hope to be able to bring everyone back on board but have no idea when and if ever that will be possible. We've applied for grants but have been denied due to ineligibility or due to the funds running out. Without sufficient funds, Loc Lov LA will surely have to close its doors and that would be absolutely devastating.
Loc Lov is more than a salon, it’s a community. Over the 11 years of Loc Lov’s existence we have danced, cried, fundraised and laughed together. Our salon floor hosts a plethora of conversations around community, national and international issues. Loc Lov has hosted fundraisers for local youth organizations annually with the exception of 2018 and 2019. Our communities need salons like Loc Lov so please help us keep that a reality. Any contribution would help and thanks in advance for your support.
As a business you always prepare for a rainy day but the rain has turned out to be a hurricane. Initially I didn't think I would need funding because I thought we would be closed for no more than two months, which I was prepared to handle. Between both locations, I am responsible for 8k in rent monthly, so that’s 8k multiplied by however many months we are pending being closed. So far it’s been two months and we recently got word that we will be closed for at least an additional two to three more months. That's when it became clear that we would need funding soon and that I had to start doing something differently and quickly.
Unfortunately, we were only open for eight months before this happened and don’t have enough of a following to sustain the expenses we will have once this is over. Before Covid-19, I planned on being in LA for 3 years but I’m preparing now to move back to DC. The plan is to generate enough revenue on the east coast once DC opens to sustain the west coast until we are able to open again. This is already in uphill battle because the past two months have already dried up savings. This entire experience has been very humbling
Funding would allow us to cover the rent for the time we've been closed.
- 17k would cover rent and utilities for the past 2 months for both locations
- 9k would cover the next 2-3 months Loc Lov LA will be closed.
- 7k would allow me to offer small donations to 8 out of 12 of our staff who have been struggling to make ends meet.
Because of new safety requirements all staff won’t be able to return to the salon at once. New distancing guidelines will force us to reduce the number of people in the salon at one time. So some of the Loc Lov team will feel the impact of COVID-19 after we reopen. I hope to be able to bring everyone back on board but have no idea when and if ever that will be possible. We've applied for grants but have been denied due to ineligibility or due to the funds running out. Without sufficient funds, Loc Lov LA will surely have to close its doors and that would be absolutely devastating.
Loc Lov is more than a salon, it’s a community. Over the 11 years of Loc Lov’s existence we have danced, cried, fundraised and laughed together. Our salon floor hosts a plethora of conversations around community, national and international issues. Loc Lov has hosted fundraisers for local youth organizations annually with the exception of 2018 and 2019. Our communities need salons like Loc Lov so please help us keep that a reality. Any contribution would help and thanks in advance for your support.
Organizer
Salih LocLov Watts
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA