Help save Serenity Aquariums

Short Version:

I’m asking for help to save the business I started that is barely staying in business at this time.  As a business it is struggling financially and currently barely keeping up with bills, let alone getting fully caught up.  I started this business with very little capital due to being on disability and created a lot of debt working to expand and increase revenue along with hiring employees early due to feeling obligated to handle some personal things for certain people.  This business was original started as a home based business in my garage, but we were pushed into moving into a retail location before we were ready due to restrictions from various vendors and wholesalers regarding “home based” businesses. 

We currently have a large amount of debt and no emergency cash fund and have fallen behind on bills.  Although I am working on catching up on all bills and then clearing all debt it takes time, and sometimes time is a luxury that is hard to come by.

I set the amount as a rough figure and will update it as I get the books further accurate (read in long version to understand why) and I will update the amount as things change.

The amount set is to clear all debt, which puts the business at a point it can continue to grow and be of value to myself, my son, and the community.  It also restocks the inventory in the store and creates a small emergency fund in case of any future problems.

I realize this is a large amount but even $5 or $10 brings this down to help clear debt and restock inventory. The restock of inventory will in turn increase the revenue of the store so that this amount can be lowered even further.

Since we are still operating and I am not giving up I will edit this amount as bills get paid and lower it with any amounts that are handled by the business directly.  But with any business there are also ongoing expenses.

Even $5 or $10 helps at this point as it can be applied to current ongoing bills, past due bills, and inventory restock.

#SaveSerenityAquariums 

Long Version:

I started this business in 2016 fill a gap that was missing in my local community, do something I enjoy, and supplement my income with the hope to completely stop receiving disability at some point.  I am on disability for valid reasons, but have found ways to cope and deal with these issues so that I can do something because the amount I receive barely covers the monthly bills, and sometimes does not, putting myself in tight spots while trying to do the best for my 9 year old son. 

I was able to start this business due to my knowledge and abilities, the help of a friend who fronted some capital for used purchases, and a small amount of money left over from a lump sum payment that was essentially back child support after paying off bills incurred prior to that money coming in.  Due to my limited income I have not been able to invest a lot and have incurred debt to keep the business going and to allow it some growth. 

I will also admit I’ve made my mistakes.  This isn’t the first business I have run, but I had a lot on my plate when I started it and wasn’t focusing solely on the business.  I brought on employees before I should have and trusted employees I shouldn’t have.  I did not have the books in order on day one as I should have, and anyone contemplating starting a business and reading this I will state that your bookkeeping should be the number one priority.  I took a recommendation from an accountant on a bookkeeper and failed to do my own research which caused problems because I did not know where the business stood and the way the books were being handled was incorrect.  Aside from feeling like I was flying a ship blind and not sure where best to spend money which caused overspending in areas that weren’t necessary it also caused me personal financial problems because I needed these to be accurate for personal assistance I received.  Being an honest person I was unable to re-apply or renew certain assistance I received because I could not properly state income, of which there was none from the business at this time, but I did not know that.

My hope for this is that people will understand that I am trying to better my life and work even though disabled so I can stop receiving disability.  I’m trying to build a future and help my community as Aquariums have been proven to lower stress and anxiety and have helped me do so and I know they do for others. 

I want to finish by saying my son and I don’t take vacations unless there are secondary reasons that allow the costs to be covered.  I don’t have the extra funds in a month for him to go to various activities other kids do, etc…  I’ve given up almost everything of value in my home starting this business, including things I saved up for a year to purchase specifically for my son with the expectation of replacing them in the future. 

I’m not on here asking for help to take a vacation or to replace the things I’ve given up.  I’m asking for help to put this business at a point where I can do that myself and maybe help others do that in the future as well. 

I’m ask for a hand up, not hand out essentially.  The help to keep this business going so it can create a life-time income for my family without the need of assistance. 

Other ways to help:

On our website there will be a blog post with other ways to help if you are local.  

If you are not local other ways to help are to purchase something from our website, share our website, share our facebook page, share the gofundme, etc...  Sharing something doesn't cost anything and can help. :) 

 Donators Rewards System:

The rewards system should be listed, but I will add that if we get to even $10,000 I will get T-Shirts printed (they are already designed) and any donor over $50 will receive one.  The $50 limit is due to the cost of the T-Shirt plus mailing.  It's possible that the cost may be able to go lower allowing the inclusion of lower amounts.