Island Vibe Hurricane Recovery Fund

http://facebook.com/ocracokeislandvibecafe615

The front of my shop



Me

Hi, my name is Kathleen.  I'm reaching out because Hurricane Mathew and the damage I have experienced might shut my business down forever.  I invested everything I have in order to open a small business on Ocracoke island a year ago and the impact of the hurricane may be too much for me to overcome without some assistance.  I have lost my car and much of my cold inventory.  The most damaging part is that the island was shut down for a number of weeks to tourists before and after the hurricane.  The month of October was a critical time for my business as I had the chance to make enough money to get through the winter.  The festivals and holiday markets I am signed up for are impossible for me to attend as I don't have transportation any longer.  I have exhausted my savings and my 401 K fund, I have nowhere else to turn.  I have been so blessed to have had this amazing opportunity to open a business and develop a unique and exciting new place for my visitors to enjoy.  My customers love my shop and I'm struggling with the reality that I may have to close my doors due to this unfortunate event.


Signage and front porch after the storm
My car a couple hours after high tide
Side of my shop

I came to Ocracoke on a wing and a prayer.  One year ago I headed out from Denver Colorado to spend a few months healing and figuring out what was next for me.  For several years I had been very ill due to an elusive heart condition that proved to be extremely difficult to diagnose.  Ultimately my doctors were able to diagnose my condition and performed heart surgery which fixed the problem.  I had never heard of Ocracoke island and arrived with no expectations.  This tiny place in the world has offered me the opportunity to develop a business I have long wanted to open.  I have found a place and a project whereby I can make a small contribution and offer something new and exciting to those who visit our island.  

I will use your money to buy some kind of transportation, re-purchase my inventory and keep my operation alive while the island and the state of North Carolina slowly recovers.  

I rebuilt an old building, put in a little commercial kitchen and opened my shop in May.  I make my own homemade greek yogurt, granola and baked goods.  In addition, I import fair trade clothing from south east Asia, Tibet and offer jewelry and clothing made by local artisans.  My shop is different, fun and my business has grown in popularity throughout my first summer. 

I am working on alternative business strategies.  My customers have requested that I ship my yogurt thus I am developing an online business whereby I can sell my yogurt and clothing to customers off the island.  Once I work out all the logistics of this new venture, I believe I will create a good source of income in the future.  I thought I had time to launch this concept and know it will take time to be profitable.  Hurriance Mathew has left me financially unable to pursue this effectively.  

Any help would be so appreciated and will be utilized solely to rebuild my business.  Asking for help is extremely difficult; however, it breaks my heart to walk away.  I will do everything in my power to keep going and I am incredibly grateful that his site exists and for any help I may receive.  

Thank you so much for reading my story.  I am forever in your debt for any contribution and promise to pay it forward.