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Howard needs a cutting table and overlocker to reopen a sewing studio

Howard has run a sewing studio for fifteen years; a fire in the building destroyed the equipment, and $3,000 will put it back on its feet.

🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States2,538 views
Howard C. Vaughn
Email verified
Austin
For fifteen years I have run a sewing studio in Austin. In June, a fire in the building took a cutting table and overlocker. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Tuesday, and I employed 3 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 12 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. Once I'm back on my feet I plan to hire back the people I had to let go. Where the $3,000 goes: • Replacing a cutting table and overlocker: $1,100 • Initial stock: fabric: $840 • Shop repairs and licensing: $490 • Working capital for the first month: $570 Thanks for reading all this. - Howard

Updates from Howard

  1. Thank you all. We're at 52% now ($1,553). I'm honestly stunned. we've booked the dates and paid the deposit.

  2. Quick update: $1,553 raised so far (52%). the first invoice got paid this week. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  3. Update from Austin: I made the first payment toward replacing a cutting table and overlocker. We're at 15% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  • Anonymous 🇵🇱 · $25
  • Efe Yewande Williams 🇳🇬 · $14

    “You got this. Thought of Howard all day after reading this. - Port Harcourt”

  • Hà Lệ Tieu 🇻🇳 · $30.50

    “Only $31 but hope it helps. - Cần Thơ”

  • Farhan Arslan Jilani 🇵🇰 · $10
  • Akello Winnie Mutebi 🇰🇪 · $10
  • Annabelle B. Ferguson 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Serhiy Kirill Pavlov 🇷🇺 · $10
  • Álvaro M. Serrano 🇺🇸 · $25
  • Serhiy Sergei Pavlenko 🇷🇺 · $10
  • Rekha G. Sethi 🇮🇳 · $25
  • Shahid Umar Iqbal 🇵🇰 · $5
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $15
  • Gareth F. Cele 🇿🇦 · $75
  • Sharon E. Simmons 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Lennart Olofsson 🇸🇪 · $100
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $5

    “Thought of Howard all day after reading this. - Worcester”

  • Rani J. Verma 🇺🇸 · $15
  • Graciela N. Benítez 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Wondimu Tewodros Assefa 🇪🇹 · $32.50

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  • Sending love. Small businesses are the heart of Austin. Hope you're open again soon. Don't give up. Thinking of Austin.

    • small businesses are the heart of Austin. Hope you're open again soon. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend

      • Sending good thoughts, Howard. Shared this with my family

        • You're not alone, Howard. It takes guts to ask. Well done. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double.

          • Luca K. WeberPhoto verified

            Wishing you peace, Howard. This could happen to any of us. I went through something like this 2 years ago and strangers helped me out.

            • Hope it all works out, Howard. Gave what I could, wish it was more. My husband and I read this together. God bless.

              • sending good thoughts. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. We're a small family in Saint Petersburg but we're thinking of you.

                • Hani SuhartoPhoto verified

                  Hope the shop reopens soon. Please keep us posted. Greetings from Johannesburg.

                  • Hope things get better soon, Howard. Your post was clear and honest. I'll check back for the next update

                    • Good luck, Howard. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. God bless.

                      • keep going, Howard. Hope you get there. I went through something like this 14 years ago and strangers helped me out. Thinking of Austin

                        • Sending love, Howard. Hope this works out for you. My daughter saw me on my phone and now she wants to give her pocket money

                          • Thinking of you. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Love from Fresno.

                            • Keep going. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. I'm in teaching myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you.

                              • Hailey L. VegaAddress verified

                                Hope it all works out. This could happen to any of us. It's not much but it's yours. Greetings from Ottawa.

                                $3,274 raised of $3,000

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