- J
I knew it was a bad idea.
As soon as I walked away from my laptop, my stomach tensed. It was my only computer, after all ...But it would just be for a minute or two!
And I was tired of asking all those kind people in the New Seasons eatery to watch my computer for me. Interrupting their conversations. Breaking the attention of the other laptop jockeys around me.
I hate doing that. ...So I didn't this time.
I still remember the sound of the dark rain spattering against the windows when I made that choice. A lazy choice in retrospect. Just plain lazy.
I pushed the screen down and hurried off past the uniformed security guard to the restroom.
My laptop was gone when I returned 2 minutes later.
THE ONE GOOD THING ABOUT IT
Mateo Zachai.
Mateo Zachai was there at New Seasons on a laptop too. And he's the reason I'm starting this campaign. He pushed me to do it, in fact!
He said that if I did, he and his wife would be the first to contribute.
Asking for help is not really "my thing." But Mateo said that I have a good story and a great vision and that people would help me if I told them what it was.
He challenged me to grow a bit and to learn to accept help when I need it.
WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO?
Mateo suggested a quick, 1-take video overview of my vision, off the top of my head. He whipped out his iPhone and gave me no exuses!
So here is the general idea:
WHY IS THE LAPTOP IMPORTANT?
Well, a lot of what I do currently with Million Monarchs requies me to move around.
That's because I'm bootstrapping my larger vision by selling real services to clients right now. For now, I help social and environmental businesses improve their websites.
Soon, I'll be publishing resource online so that anyone with a passion for a better world can make money while pursing their own vision.
But for now, making that happen means taking on clients and working with them on-site, sometimes.
For example, I just had an exciting meeting with a local solar company here in Portland called Synchro Solar. This awesome group is local solar at its best. Great people. Great commitment to customers. A policy of giving back to the community.
...But without a laptop, I won't be able to perform the branding audit necessary to launch our project together!
I feel a bit between a "rock and a hard place" here. I need a lapop to take a job in May that could eventually pay me enough to afford a laptop!
I already work nights catering to make ends meet. I live simply in shared housing. I bike as often I can, and still, with a few unexpected medical bills factored in, I'm barely making it.
The loss of the laptop has been a huge blow. And just as things seemed to be coming together.
WHY AM I ASKING FOR $500?
As a "Front End SEO / Content Marketing" consultant, I need to be able to use some serious design programs.
My stolen computer was a 17'', mid-2010 Macbook Pro valued between $800 and $1100, after upgrades.
To replace it, I need a Mac (all of my backed-up software is Mac) that is (at a minimum) Dual Core and that can be upgraded to 8 GB of Ram. Otherwise my programs crash.
I'm happy to downgrade, but these are the minimum requirements to make the replacement usable for my business.
Luckily Free Geek rushes to the rescue here!
Free Geek is a killer local nonprofit here in Portland that refurbishes old computers (then uses the money to run programs that serve the communinity). What I need can be purchased for $400 - $450 or so, after the needed upgrades.
So, if I can raise $500, I would have enough to pay the Go Fund Me fees and get a smaller 13'' or 15'' refurbished laptop. This old, refurbished computer would get me through until I can buy something modern!
Even if you can only contribute a couple of dollars, I would be so thankful. Every dollar is one less I have to try and scrounge together, and I'll never forget your generosity.
If you can't contribute, don't worry! I understand. But if you could share the campaign or send some good energy my way, that would fit the bill too.
Your support literally means the difference between moving Million Monarchs forward, and stalling things out for months. I can't take on clients without it.
Thank you for taking the time to read all this!
--Sean
www.millionmonarchs.com
(If you contribute at the Patron or Hero! levels, here is the (unfinalized) logo for your gear, by the way. Thanks again!) --->
As soon as I walked away from my laptop, my stomach tensed. It was my only computer, after all ...But it would just be for a minute or two!
And I was tired of asking all those kind people in the New Seasons eatery to watch my computer for me. Interrupting their conversations. Breaking the attention of the other laptop jockeys around me.
I hate doing that. ...So I didn't this time.
I still remember the sound of the dark rain spattering against the windows when I made that choice. A lazy choice in retrospect. Just plain lazy.
I pushed the screen down and hurried off past the uniformed security guard to the restroom.
My laptop was gone when I returned 2 minutes later.
THE ONE GOOD THING ABOUT IT
Mateo Zachai.
Mateo Zachai was there at New Seasons on a laptop too. And he's the reason I'm starting this campaign. He pushed me to do it, in fact!
He said that if I did, he and his wife would be the first to contribute.
Asking for help is not really "my thing." But Mateo said that I have a good story and a great vision and that people would help me if I told them what it was.
He challenged me to grow a bit and to learn to accept help when I need it.
WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO?
Mateo suggested a quick, 1-take video overview of my vision, off the top of my head. He whipped out his iPhone and gave me no exuses!
So here is the general idea:
WHY IS THE LAPTOP IMPORTANT?
Well, a lot of what I do currently with Million Monarchs requies me to move around.
That's because I'm bootstrapping my larger vision by selling real services to clients right now. For now, I help social and environmental businesses improve their websites.
Soon, I'll be publishing resource online so that anyone with a passion for a better world can make money while pursing their own vision.
But for now, making that happen means taking on clients and working with them on-site, sometimes.
For example, I just had an exciting meeting with a local solar company here in Portland called Synchro Solar. This awesome group is local solar at its best. Great people. Great commitment to customers. A policy of giving back to the community.
...But without a laptop, I won't be able to perform the branding audit necessary to launch our project together!
I feel a bit between a "rock and a hard place" here. I need a lapop to take a job in May that could eventually pay me enough to afford a laptop!
I already work nights catering to make ends meet. I live simply in shared housing. I bike as often I can, and still, with a few unexpected medical bills factored in, I'm barely making it.
The loss of the laptop has been a huge blow. And just as things seemed to be coming together.
WHY AM I ASKING FOR $500?
As a "Front End SEO / Content Marketing" consultant, I need to be able to use some serious design programs.
My stolen computer was a 17'', mid-2010 Macbook Pro valued between $800 and $1100, after upgrades.
To replace it, I need a Mac (all of my backed-up software is Mac) that is (at a minimum) Dual Core and that can be upgraded to 8 GB of Ram. Otherwise my programs crash.
I'm happy to downgrade, but these are the minimum requirements to make the replacement usable for my business.
Luckily Free Geek rushes to the rescue here!
Free Geek is a killer local nonprofit here in Portland that refurbishes old computers (then uses the money to run programs that serve the communinity). What I need can be purchased for $400 - $450 or so, after the needed upgrades.
So, if I can raise $500, I would have enough to pay the Go Fund Me fees and get a smaller 13'' or 15'' refurbished laptop. This old, refurbished computer would get me through until I can buy something modern!
Even if you can only contribute a couple of dollars, I would be so thankful. Every dollar is one less I have to try and scrounge together, and I'll never forget your generosity.
If you can't contribute, don't worry! I understand. But if you could share the campaign or send some good energy my way, that would fit the bill too.
Your support literally means the difference between moving Million Monarchs forward, and stalling things out for months. I can't take on clients without it.
Thank you for taking the time to read all this!
--Sean
www.millionmonarchs.com
(If you contribute at the Patron or Hero! levels, here is the (unfinalized) logo for your gear, by the way. Thanks again!) --->