Help My Small Business Get a Relief Grant

I have a small business.  And I need #smallbusinessrelief.

I hate that I'm doing this, but I've got to try.

Last year I decided to make a giant leap out of my career slump and change gears to pursue my dream of running my own vintage resale business.  I started two - Sweaterpalooza, an online marketplace for vintage "ugly" sweaters; and Once Upon a Hutch, a vintage glassware and collectibles shop with both an online store and a physical location in the form of a booth inside an antique co-op.

After the Christmas rush was behind us and Sweaterpalooza quieted down, I threw myself headlong into Once Upon a Hutch -- and I hit the ground running.  My booth was fully set up and operating by mid-January and things were going well.  So well, in fact, that after just two months of operation I felt comfortable and confident enough to expand. Arrangements had been made to increase my booth's footprint by an additional 14 square feet as of April 1st.  My ultimate goal was - and continues to be - to expand to the point where I'd be able to incorporate Sweaterpalooza and its inventory into the space as well. 

And then in mid-March COVID-19 took hold of our lives and the world stood still.  I don't think I need to explain that part - we're living it right now.  There are various relief efforts in place to assist displaced and unemployed workers, but small business owners are looking for ways to recoup losses and/or offset future losses associated with the recovery from the crisis as well.  And Once Upon a Hutch is one such business.

I am but one woman, running the show alone.  I'm surrounded by hundreds of pieces of unsold merchandise at home while still more sits in a closed shop that I cannot access.  It could be weeks, if not months, before I'm able to open up again. The co-op is closed under the mandate and I cannot access my booth.  And although both my ventures have online storefronts, I've paused those while I isolate.  Even if I had orders to fulfill, I cannot access any inventory in the booth, plus I cannot go to the post office and I do not wish to burden my mail carriers with packages while they are already overtaxed as essential workers.  Unfortunately not only am I missing substantial revenue and income from lost sales, I still have overhead expenses associated with the maintenance of my websites and the rent on my booth, and I expect it will be months after we reopen before I see things really start to turn around. 

I really, REALLY didn't want to do this.  But I'm being given the chance to qualify for a $500 matching grant if I raise at least that much through this platform, so I've decided to humbly ask for the gracious help of friends, family, and strangers.  I figure if I can just get some folks to donate a dollar or two, maybe I can keep my little business afloat until operations are in full swing once more.   To show my appreciation, anyone who donates $20 or more will receive a voucher for any item worth up to $20 from either Sweaterpalooza or Once Upon a Hutch, to be used when operations resume. 

We are all struggling.  We are all doing everything we can right now.  And every little bit helps, whether it's $1 or $100.  If you are unable to donate monetarily, please help by sharing this campaign. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for anything you can do to get me closer to this grant and help my little dream stay alive.

With love and gratitude,

Deedee Clohessy
Once Upon a Hutch

Click here for more information on the Small Business Relief Initiative 
#smallbusinessrelief