The year 2020 was challenging for everyone, and many businesses found it impossible to pay their rent. At this time, many businesses are being asked to pay back deferred rent, and we are one of them. Compounding the difficulty is that traffic and revenues have not fully recovered, and government programs are ending. We are asking for your help.

My name is Tami Bogard and in 2010, I opened Namaste Studios in the River District of Rockford, Illinois. In 2019, we expanded our 750 sq ft Yoga Studio into a 2000 sq ft Float Pod and Yoga Studio, Forest City Float. In our first year, we experienced the difficulties that most startups do. There was a lot of interest, but it was hard as our industry is relatively new and not many people are familiar with Floatation Therapy. Then, almost exactly one year to the day from the opening of our float pod studio, came the Covid lockdown, March 2020. It was difficult for us to pay the rent, and with the generosity of our Landlord, the rent was deferred.

The last two years have been tough, but we have survived. In July of 2021, we were asked to sign an agreement to pay back all the deferred rent ($27,000.00) over two years. Things were looking good, and we were able to hire our one employee back. Since January of this year, business has slowed down again, and we could not keep up with the deferred rent payback. I don't believe we're at the point where the public feels completely comfortable about resuming past activities, and we understand. We are asking for your help to pay back our rent owed from 2020. We currently owe $23,228.00 and are behind in our payments by $11,015.00). No amount is too small, and we are very grateful for any and all help.

We hope to protect the livelihoods of our employees and empower our business to continue serving the Northern Illinois Community. As the pandemic experience has created an awareness in all of us about how important our mental health and wellness are, we always felt like once it was over, the party would be at our place! We have all the facilities and modalities for everyone to heal collectively, and we cannot wait for that to happen.