Hello! My name is Kyle, and I'm asking for help replacing my vehicle, which I rely on to support myself and my small business.

In 2018, I purchased my first car, and it served me faithfully until last spring when it finally gave out after reaching over 285,000 miles. I then purchased a used 2013 Chevy Equinox with 180,000 miles, which was the best option I could afford within my $4,000 budget. While it had some rust, it seemed dependable at the time. Unfortunately, the vehicle recently broke down. It barely made it home one night, and the next morning it refused to start after multiple attempts. After evaluating potential repairs, I’ve been advised that the cost to fix it would likely exceed the value of the vehicle itself. I am now without reliable transportation.

I am 26 years old and own a small business that I started in 2023 after applying to hundreds-possibly over a thousand-jobs without receiving a single interview. Feeling discouraged but determined to make something of myself, I decided to start my own business selling commercial-grade Christmas decorations, an industry with products I know very well and am very passionate about. With an old laptop I bought for $300 years prior and a few dollars, I got my business registered; I taught myself to build a professional website from scratch; I found vendors and manufacturers to build relationships with; etc. I learned everything I could, from marketing and distribution to accounting and licensing, all on my own. Today, I maintain the website, build assembly guides and product catalogs (some exceeding 100 pages), send marketing emails, scout for new products, work with manufacturers, make sales calls, update the finance log, and do so much more, with most of those tasks being completed on a daily basis.

Though some would say I constantly drive myself to burnout, I absolutely love what I do and take great pride in my business and its products.

My days typically start around 8:00am, and I work until around 10:00pm with the occasional appointment and errand. Several evenings each week, I drive for Uber Eats so I can pay the bills for myself and my business. While the income helps cover bills, it requires dependable transportation. Without a working vehicle, I lose that income stream, and I lose my business.

I am a very private person and have always handled challenges on my own. Asking for financial help is extremely difficult for me, but I’ve reached a point where I truly need support to stay afloat and continue building my business.

Any contribution, no matter the size, would help me work toward securing reliable transportation. If you are unable to donate, sharing my story would also mean the world to me.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can provide.