THANK YOU to those who donated so far! I have established and started finalizing the legal filings and services, and I can now offer them in addition to and separate from my Real Estate Broker deals. I have officially launched my marketing and consulting operations through "BAD INFLUENCE" Marketing Consultancy LLC—owned and operated under the Smith Roots Development Brand!

https://badinfluencemarketing.com

UPDATE AND BACK STORY / LONG-TERM GOAL

Hello, I’m Angela Forystek—a determined mom of three, an entrepreneur at heart, and someone who grew up in a small-town environment that shaped me in ways I’m still unpacking today. I first met my husband, Ryan, in that same hometown; we actually hung out with the same circles back in school but didn’t start dating until years after. By then, I’d already faced life’s challenges, had two attempts at “love” that didn’t pan out, and was trying my best to keep educational and growth opportunities open.

Despite our different paces and approaches to life, Ryan and I share a history and a sense of untapped potential. Like many middle-class, blue-collar families, we’ve encountered financial struggles that can feel isolating. Ryan’s private nature means he’s rarely comfortable sharing these hardships—but I believe there’s a place for honesty, especially when you’re working to transform the very systems that leave so many families stuck in quiet struggles. We currently rely on a single, stable source of income for our family of five and have spent years planning, budgeting, and sacrificing to maintain our life without abusing or leaning heavily on the programs that are supposedly there to help. In practice, these programs often don’t work as intended, or they seem designed for a “system” rather than for real people’s diverse needs.

Why I’m Starting This Campaign

I’m building a new business model focused on ethical land-use and community partnerships—in other words, creating a brand that invests in properties and development strategies that prioritize people’s well-being. Beyond that, I plan to attend law school so I can be an even stronger advocate for those who, like us, come from under-resourced circumstances, miss out on opportunities, or see entire communities overlooked.

How Your Support Helps

Launching the Brand

From legal filings to marketing, startup capital is vital. This venture will generate sustainable revenue, which I can then use to fund my law school education.

Pursuing a Law Degree

My goal is to gain the legal expertise needed to fight for fair land-use policies—so families aren’t displaced and development truly benefits everyone involved.

Creating Financial Stability

Balancing a family of five with limited means is tough. Your contribution will give me the breathing room to focus on what matters most—growing this business, going to law school, and securing a better future for my family.

Our Reality

We’re not heroes or victims. We’re ordinary people from modest backgrounds who do our best for our kids and community. Ryan and I both have dreams that have been on hold, and this is my step toward rekindling them. I want to build a legacy that merges ethical business practices with legal advocacy so that no family has to keep struggling behind closed doors.

Ways to Help

Donate

Every bit helps me launch this business and cover initial law school costs.

Share

Spread the word among friends or anyone who wants to see more humane land-use solutions.

Stay Connected

I’ll post updates on milestones—like finalizing the brand launch or submitting law school applications—so you can see exactly where your support goes.

Thank you for reading and for any contribution, big or small. When we look back in a few years, I hope we’ll all see how this campaign helped turn raw potential into tangible change—for my family, and for the people and places I’m determined to serve.

With gratitude,

Angela Forystek

Smith Roots LLC: Planting Seeds for Ethical Change & Regional Growth

Our Mission: Smith Roots LLC was founded with a bold vision—to build legacies from the ground up by investing in local communities and fostering sustainable, ethical growth. We believe that strong communities are built through collaboration, education, and economic empowerment. Our goal is to drive meaningful change in regions like Northwest Indiana (NWI) by supporting local businesses, workforce development, and innovative community-driven projects.

Why We Need Your Support:Launching a transformative initiative like Smith Roots LLC requires resources, and we need your help to get the wheels turning. Your donation will go directly toward:

Acquiring and developing community-focused properties

Providing small business incubation and mentorship

Creating job training and workforce development programs

Building a network of ethical and sustainable regional partnerships

Be a Part of the Movement:By donating to Smith Roots LLC, you are investing in the future of NWI—empowering local entrepreneurs, fostering innovation, and ensuring that growth is driven by ethical, community-centered values. Every dollar helps us lay the groundwork for a stronger, more connected, and self-sustaining region.

Join us in planting the seeds for change. Together, we can build a lasting legacy.

Donate today and help us grow!