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Back to business - Kai's comeback in Grand Rapids

Kai has run a laundry service for twelve years; a fire in the building destroyed the equipment, and $2,700 will put it back on its feet.

🇺🇸 United States1,516 views
Kai J. Lamb
Email verifiedPhoto verified
Grand Rapids
For twelve years I have run a laundry service in Grand Rapids. In August, a fire in the building took two washing machines and a dryer. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Wednesday, and I employed 2 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 8 weeks. This business pays my children's school fees and rent. I have already started working from home in small ways, but I can't meet orders without proper equipment. Every contribution brings me closer to reopening, and I promise to post photos as I buy each item. I'll buy equipment from local suppliers and post photos and receipts as I go. Where the $2,700 goes: • Replacing two washing machines and a dryer: $2,050 • Initial stock: detergent and packaging: $360 • Shop repairs and licensing: $290 Ask me anything below before you decide. I'd rather you were sure. - Kai

Updates from Kai

  1. Quick update: $550 raised so far (20%). I made the first payment toward initial stock: detergent and packaging. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  2. Wanted to say thank you properly. 16% funded and the plan for initial stock: detergent and packaging is now scheduled.

  • Dmytro Yuri Lysenko 🇺🇦 · $44

    “Thought of Kai all day after reading this. - Dnipro”

  • Gustavo P. Quintero 🇨🇴 · $10
  • Asif Joy Akter 🇮🇳 · $15
  • Wesley R. Alexander 🇬🇧 · $75
  • Mahesh D. Meena 🇨🇦 · $25

    “Hope it all works out. Thought of Kai all day after reading this. - Brampton”

  • Wafa Dina Khoury 🇪🇬 · $50
  • Claudia Claudia Dinu 🇷🇴 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇵🇰 · $73.50
  • Vivian Modupe Olawale 🇳🇬 · $22
  • Babu Nazrul Saha 🇧🇩 · $100
  • Ravi B. Saxena 🇮🇳 · $20
  • Eli B. Henry 🇨🇦 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇧🇷 · $26

    “Wish I could do more. Hope the November deadline works out. - Niterói”

  • Anonymous 🇮🇳 · $10
  • Anonymous 🇬🇧 · $25
  • Sevgi Özlem Coşkun 🇹🇷 · $200
  • Noriko Satomi Sakai 🇯🇵 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇧🇷 · $25

    “Wish I could do more. Gave what I could this week. - Maringá”

  • Rahim Rashed Sikder 🇮🇳 · $63.50
  • Maximilian Seidel 🇩🇪 · $30

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  • Thinking of you and your family, Kai. Gave what I could, wish it was more. After 12 years in accounting I know how hard it's to ask for anything. Greetings from Istanbul

    • Hope it all works out, Kai. Gave what I could, wish it was more. Blessings.

      • stay strong, Kai. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. Don't give up. Greetings from Gatineau.

        • Best of luck, Kai. Hope you get there. Put this on a community board in Birmingham this morning. Blessings.

          • is there a list of costs somewhere? Just curious how it adds up for Kai

            • Kai J. LambOwnerAnswerPhoto verified

              The list at the bottom is the whole picture. replacing two washing machines and a dryer is the biggest at $2,050. Happy to explain more.

          • Gave what I could, wish it was more. I went through something like this 7 years ago and strangers helped me out. Blessings

            • So sorry you're going through this, Kai. Shared this with my family. Wish I lived closer to Accra so I could bring a meal. Love from Wrocław.

              • hope it all works out, Kai. I hope things turn around soon. Greetings from Thrissur.

                • Sending strength. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Thinking of Grand Rapids!

                  • hope it all works out, Kai. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. God bless.

                    • Wishing you peace, Kai. Hope you get there. Blessings.

                      • Hope this works out for you. Sent it to 29 people at work. Love from Mumbai

                        • Hope you get there. Put this on a community board in Bang Khen this morning. Thinking of Grand Rapids.

                          • Pınar Sibel CanPhoto verified

                            Small businesses are the heart of Grand Rapids. Hope you're open again soon. I hope November is when things finally get easier. Thinking of Grand Rapids.

                            • Rooting for you. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. Don't give up. Take care.

                              • Hope things get better soon. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected. Blessings.

                                • praying for you, Kai. Looking forward to the next update

                                  $1,064 raised of $2,700

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