I'll try to keep this short & sweet.
My name is Kate Cunningham and I own a small business called Moonflower Apothecary in Ravenna, Ohio. I desperately need your help.
I have been a small business owner for 12+ years. Owning a small business is incredibly important to me because I am the mother of three beautiful children who have unique needs. Owning a small business allows me to be present for every doctor appointment, therapy, cancer scan, surgery, etc. I am also disabled. My small business is how I provide for my family.
My family has faced several challenges over the years (most of them have been medical)—but we have always prevailed. In December, just a month after I had opened my new shop, tragedy struck. People who know my family personally are aware of what occurred. I do not think it is appropriate to share that information on this platform, but I can tell you it was devastating.
As a result of this event, my children and I were completely heartbroken and our lives were suddenly flipped upside down. The wind was completely knocked out of my sails. My husband lost his career—and with it our main source of income and stability. We lost our safety and security. One day everything was great—and the next—poof.
All of my income from the shop has had to go to keeping a roof over my children's heads and food in their bellies. Unfortunately, as a result, I have fallen drastically behind in rent and utilities. My husband is working full-time, but the hole I have been trying to dig out of is too big.
November 1, 2025, is my 1-year anniversary at Moonflower Apothecary. My shop isn't just a shop—it's a part of me; losing it would be like losing a leg.
A week ago, I asked the Universe to give me a sign. "Do I throw in the towel?" "Is this what I am supposed to do for the rest of my life?" Last week, complete strangers from all over the country ordered items from my online store; complete strangers wrote me messages and touching reviews. If that's not a sign, I don't know what is...
A few days ago, I decided to put it all out there. I decided to just be honest about my situation and ask for help. In doing so, several people suggested I start a GoFundMe. Here I am.
I know that so many people are struggling. I know that not everyone can afford to donate. I understand. If you can't donate—please share my campaign. Please share my website, business, etc. Please share my business with businesses that you think would be interested in ordering wholesale from me. Pray, cheer us on from the sidelines, shout words of encouragement... I need all the positivity I can get. My children are depending on me. I have survived so many things that most people would never recover from. I refuse to give up.
I fear that if I do not raise enough funds to bring me current with my shop rent/utilities/etc. in the next 30 days or so—I will be forced to close my doors. I can't let that happen.
I invite you to visit my website to learn more about my small business and everything I have to offer.
In the meantime, here is my mission:
I affectionately refer to Moonflower Apothecary as my little labor of love; and while that may sound cutesy—it is much deeper than that.
As a disabled woman who struggles with her mental health, I struggled to find peace in my own body. The harder I tried to fight myself—the harder it became to simply exist. I spent over a decade trying to “fix” myself through therapy, medications, yoga, meditation, Reiki, crystals, sports, vision boards, journaling, healing circles… Sure, some of these things were helpful in their own way—but they never helped me truly start to heal. The harder I tried to fix myself—the further I got from “home”; nature.
WE ARE NATURE. We have become strangers to her. She has the answer to all of your questions; if you look deeply into her eyes, you will understand.
WE MUST REMEMBER that we are the elements.
We are water; let us cleanse, flow, adapt and let go.
We are fire; let us ignite, alchemize, energize and illuminate the dark.
We are air; let us breathe, observe, move freely and focus.
We are earth; let us ground, nourish, birth and heal.
I create items and experiences from nature as an offering; a love offering. My shop is where I can share the knowledge and lessons that I have learned swaying with the trees deep in the forest, floating and splashing in winding rivers, walking barefoot through quivering meadows, exploring caves and climbing mountains.
Each and every item I sell in my shop or online was thoughtfully & ethically handmade by—me. Imagine that I am a crow bringing small treasures back from my adventures to my shop to share with you all to deepen your bond with nature.
Know that wherever you are on your journey—no matter how big or small—you have a safe space where you can learn, heal and grow at Moonflower Apothecary.
Nature is calling—will you answer?
“Into the forest I go—to lose my mind and find my soul.”
Thank you for your love and support. I appreciate it more than you will ever know.
Organizer
