LGBTQIA Barbershop

Camera Ready Kutz, Inc.
The "Why" Behind it All...
I started Camera Ready Kutz in 2007 after hearing horrible stories from friends about their treatment in nieghborhood barbershops. Many were refused service, some where subject to ill treatment, some had to listen to derogatory remarks and others just were not given the hairkutz they asked for.
For the LGBTQIA communtiy it can hard to find a safe place for many services due to people's prejuces. Getting a hairkut shouldn't be a stressfull thing at all. Just as importantly, working at a shop should not feel stressful for LGBTQIA barbers.

I was the store manager for a major coffee company at the time and a year after I first started kutting hair as a side job, found myself not working for the company anymore and kutting hair Full Time. Now, 10 years later, my business has grown significantly and I need to get my own shop. Since I started I had a vision of what my shop would look like and feel like and it's long overdue to make it a reality.

The Passion Builds...
My desire is to have a barbershop where other LGBTQIA barbers and beauticians can work in an open environment as well as having a place that is comfy for all who come in for service. My ultimate goal is to open multiple locations in different states. The first one will be in Brooklyn, NY. I have a location that I have inquired about...it has EVERYTHING I've pictured for my shop. Now I Just need to get funding.

Only One More Hurdle...
I'm unable to get a traditional bank loan due to my credit not being high enough yet. So, I'm using as many other avenues as possible to raise the money.
- I'm planning dance parties for the community that will generate cash.
- I've taken up side jobs using other skills I have.
- I'm applying for grants as I hear about them
- I'm formulating a letter that can be mailed to influential  people (so if you have any connections PLEASE contact me)
- And I'm creating this GoFundMe  :D

Needed: All the Help I Can Get...
I will take all suggestions for other alternative ways of generating funds as well as links to grants & programs that help people with small businesses. I'm a black, gay, woman, small business owner and will use all of those to my advantage if it means I will get help to open Camera Ready Kutz, Inc.
I'm passionate about this and refuse to let anything stop me from achieving the opening of this barbershop/community meeting space.

*I am also open to those who want to make sizeable donations as a tax write off (I will write you a reciept-letter that you can save for your accountant) or those who want to make a sizeable investment as a private loan with reasonable monthly terms. *Please call me. I don't usually talk on the phone while I'm kutting, but I will call you back if you leave me a detailed message.

My ultimate goal amount to properly & comfortably open the store is $35,000.

$10,000: Secures the storefront as my own. That is the total needed for the security, months of required starter rent and Broker fee

Approx $10,000: For 5 barber stations and 1 beautician station. That includes chairs, mirrors, storage units for grooming machinery|tools|products, comfort standing mats for around chairs

$10,000: For Build out, misc furniture, fixtures, TV, security cameras & signage.

$1,000: Will be used for buying wholesale products for the retail wall

$4,000 Not to be spent: This money will be the starter of an emergency fund which other monies will be added to on a monthly basis. This emergency fund will be saved and used ONLY as a cushion for rent, repairs, fees, and any other unexpected expense due to circumstances beyond my control.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, links, influential introductions, suggestions and/or encouraging words.

Thanks In Advance for Your Contribution &
Thanks for Reading,
Cheers!
Khane Kutzwell