The Power Plant Seattle: A Piece of the Puzzle

Hi, my name is Joanne Cha and I am the Owner and Operator of The Power Plant Seattle: A Small, Bipoc Solo Mama ran Business located in the PNW on Duwamish Land, that was PLANTED during the pandemic, ROOTED in Community, and GROWING with the Support and Encouragement from Each of You.

The Power Plant Seattle pivots and operates as a Creative Pop Up Shop that offers both Common & Collector Houseplants, Event and In Home Staging, Local Art and Infinite Opportunity for Community Collaboration.

My story (in creating the Power Plant) is a personal one that I very much struggle to share, though it is important in understanding who I am today. In March of 2020 as the pandemic quite literally shut the entire world down, I was at the same time blindsided by family dynamic changes that would leave me at a deficit in every area of my life imaginable. With three children to support and the responsibility of unbearable trauma to tend to, I began selling items from our apartment, quickly realizing just how popular my houseplants were over everything else. I focused on my potted plants, created an Instagram https://instagram.com/thepowerplant.seattle?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= dedicated just to plant sales and got to WORK. Fast forward to 2022 and SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. I can proudly say that I have managed to humbly provide for my children, grow my business, build within and GIVE to my community, and most importantly take my Power Back.

The Foundation of The Power Plant Seattle is and will always be a retail platform/space for plant sales and biophilic creation and inspiration. The Pop Up model that has carried me and SO many others through the last few years of the pandemic is a rough one for anyone who wants to scale as an entrepreneur. An impossible one for me personally, as no days off and market set ups and break downs weekly for over 2.5 years now has quite honestly taken a toll on my physical body and has also hit a wall with it's capacity to sustainably provide for my family. As I feel that I am ready and confident to step into the next chapter of my small, but POWERFUL business, I find myself HERE, with all of YOU, presenting the world with the most humble and vulnerable ask to support a GoFundMe campaign to continue.

Current Situation:

I have most recently spent the summer in collaboration with the Innovative (and soon to be blueprinted Nation-wide) City of Seattle Program, Seattle Restored (Created by the Office of Economic Development, Shunpike Arts and Seattle Good Network). Moving onto the next phase of my contract with them, I am officially in the market for the perfect BRICK AND MORTAR for The Power Plant! (Could this be your property or someone you know of?) Along with advocating and negotiating of business dealings between myself and a (yet to be found) Seattle landlord with a HEART OF GOLD, Seattle Restored will be assisting with support via a stipend to "get me in the door". But this is not enough. I am in the tedious process of applying for small business loans and grants that would support bipoc women owned small businesses and community builders like myself (would you or your organization be interested in supporting these needs?) I can't do this alone! Trust me, I have tried up until now ;)

As mentioned above, The Power Plant Seattle builds upon the foundation of being a "Plant Shop", but it didn't start and it doesn't end there. I have a background in Community Advocacy, Liaison Work, and Creating Programing (think art and healing with infinite possibilities) and Safe Space for Families and Communities to create and grow together in ORGANIC ways. My Vision (pivoting timeline depending on my initial capital raised) is to combine the very best of myself from every chapter in my life this far, and build a physical space that Centers genuine growth, opportunity and sustainability for myself, other small businesses and anyone looking to create and foster, room to grow.

I believe in myself because I know myself. I know my work ethic, my drive, my commitment to my family and community and I know my VALUE. I also believe in myself because so many of you have never stopped believing in me. I have a special place in my heart, held in my visions for The Power Plant, for single mothers. I understand what it takes to survive the day to day and do it with grace and vulnerability and I appreciate those who choose to look at what we DO HAVE rather than what we don't.

Money raised on this platform will go towards start up costs (such as but not limited to) lawyers fees, continuing business education/financial literacy, rent/utilities, fixtures, and inventory, and will be received with a lifetime of gratitude and commitment to do my best, always.

I have set my minimum goal at 40k after much market research and inspiration from other successful local crowd funding asks. This will be an ongoing campaign in attempt to set myself up for success, as I navigate the never linear process of entrepreneurship, especially during these challenging times.

If this project speaks to you, I only ask that you give from your heart and you consider yourself A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE. Because you are. I absolutely cannot do this without support from my family, friends and community.

There are MANY ways to support. A recurring donation to this fund, or your own unique fundraiser for The Power Plant is also a great option for those who wish to truly become part of this experience. Let's get CREATIVE! Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or unique fundraising ideas for The Power Plant Seattle 2.0 and this GoFundMe.

In Gratuitude & Love,

Joanne

Mother, Sister, Friend, Neighbor &

Owner of The Power Plant Seattle