Fundraiser for Start-Up Costs
On May 17th, I graduated from the Women's Economic Venture's Self Employment Training Course with high honors. The rigorous 14 week course required us to take on the ultimate challenge: writing a BUSINESS PLAN.
I represent myself as Mollycules™ and have been a professional designer, illustrator, and author for over three years. I've also recently helped launch Breadcrumb Books, a publishing company specializing in e-books for children that embrace the power of imagination and adventure.
Recently, I was hired as a professional colorist for Mike Gordon Illustration. In between working on kid's books, I teach cartooning and illustration to elementary students.
I'm proud to say that I not only completed my business plan and have a refined sense of what I need to do to take my business to the next level, I also had the opportunity to speak in front of a crowd of 300 people at my graduation ceremony and share my story of having survived an extremely challenging environment growing up. 11 years ago, I was a homeless teenager, had mentally ill and abusive parents, and was on my way to UC Santa Barbara after graduating high school with high honors without a witness of my reality.
Following my dreams wasn't my focus growing up nor was it supported. Coming to Santa Barbara was the best decision I ever made as it gave me space to to begin my healing journey. After many years of personal work I have gone from a state of surviving to thriving. I can safely say that I've created a new and supportive family here that has been integral in helping me launch and reach for those stars.
As we all know, starting a business isn't easy for anyone and takes a lot of energy. I am asking for the support of my community to help me work towards the following financial goals as I expand my operations:
- A new desktop computer for animating and handling larger files for digital painting/coloring. Estimated cost $1,800-$2,600. Currently I am running my business on an old laptop.
- Capital to invest in getting going on a business phone plan (I've been getting by on a "pay as I go" plan for too long). Estimated cost: $250.00 (I have an iPhone I can use from a friend).
- Capital to invest in the following software: Quickbooks and Corel Painter 11. Estimated cost: $400.00
These investments are top priority. The total estimated cost comes to $2,450-$3,200.
All donations can be made direct through Paypal's secure system and are rewarded with gifts (see below).
Every donation counts! As a token of my appreication, I am offering the following as thank you gifts:
• $10 - An electronic Thank You card!
• $20 - A cute little 4''x 6'' sketch!
• $50 - Autographed copy of "All the Things I Can Do!" + 4''x 6'' sketch!
• $100 - Autographed copy of "All the Things I Can Do!" + Autographed copy of "Under the Sneep Tree" + 4''x6'' sketch
• $250 - 11x17 archival print of your choice + Autographed copy of "All the Things I Can Do!" + Autographed copy of "Under the Sneep Tree" + 4''x 6'' sketch
• $300 - "Sketch of the Day" print of your choice + 11x17 archival print of your choice + Autographed copy of "All the Things I Can Do!" + Autographed copy of "Under the Sneep Tree" + 4''x 6'' sketch
• $500 - Original 8x10 sketch + "Sketch of the Day" print of your choice + 11x17 archival print of your choice + Autographed copy of "All the Things I Can Do!" + Autographed copy of "Under the Sneep Tree" + 4''x 6'' sketch
• $1,000 - Original 11x14 sketch + Original 8x10 sketch + "Sketch of the Day" print of your choice + 11x17 archival print of your choice + Autographed copy of "All the Things I Can Do!" + Autographed copy of "Under the Sneep Tree" + 4''x 6'' sketch
Update on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 06:51PM by
Mollycules
A few people have asked me why I am not using Kickstarter for this fundraising project. I love Kickstarter and had a successful campaign last year for a project (my second kids book). Unfortunately, because this is a "Start-up" cost fundraiser for my business, I would not be permitted to do a campaign (they have a disclaimer against that!). All fundraisers on Kickstarter must be for creative projects that have a finite beginning and end.
By supporting my fundraising campaign directly, I am able to obtain the necessary tools to make certain productions (like animation) possible as well as more efficient. For example, my laptop cannot handle large files or even render a five second animation which inhibits my ability to full achieve my creative potential!
Thank you for your consideration and support!
Warmly,
Molly
Dug Uyesaka, Molly Hahn, Ethan Turpin
Ethan and I in front of his piece (Iceberg - Moray Pattern)
Photo by Holly McKay
Photo by Holly McKay
Curator BRAD NACK - Photo by Holly McKay
