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Start-up fund for Lillian: reopening a flower stall after floodwater

Lillian has run a flower stall for six years; floodwater destroyed the equipment, and $4,250 will put it back on its feet.

🇺🇸 United States2,451 views
Lillian J. Coleman
Email verifiedPhoto verified
Rockford
For six years I have run a flower stall in Rockford. In May, floodwater took display cabinets and a cooler. I have no insurance, and the bank won't lend to me. Before that, my customers came every Monday, and I employed 1 people from the neighborhood. I have been out of business for 3 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 $4,250 goes: • Replacing display cabinets and a cooler: $2,300 • Initial stock: seasonal flowers: $650 • Shop repairs and licensing: $530 • Working capital for the first month: $770 Please ask me anything in the questions section. I'll answer honestly and quickly. - Lillian

Updates from Lillian

  1. Update from Rockford: the first invoice got paid this week. We're at 30% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  2. 12% there. I made the first payment toward replacing display cabinets and a cooler. Thank you.

  • Marta Vargas 🇲🇽 · $10

    “Good luck. Thought of Lillian all day after reading this. - Ciudad de México”

  • Angela J. Lawson 🇺🇸 · $10
  • Tatiane Juliana Fonseca 🇧🇷 · $100
  • Winnie Rashidi 🇰🇪 · $20
  • Princess W. Pineda 🇵🇭 · $500

    “Rooting for you. My neighbor told me about this one. - Mandaue”

  • Leul Tesfaye Mekonnen 🇪🇹 · $25
  • Tiffany S. Brennan 🇬🇧 · $20

    “Keep your head up. From Belfast with love. - Belfast”

  • Anita Sharmila Poudel 🇳🇵 · $10

    “Stay strong. From Butwal with love. - Butwal”

  • Wawan Bagus Susanto 🇮🇩 · $15

    “Wishing you the best. Thought of Lillian all day after reading this. - Jakarta”

  • Ariana S. Mejia 🇳🇿 · $10
  • Cristina L. Campos 🇨🇴 · $15
  • Hugo Gómez 🇲🇽 · $200
  • Polina Nadia Romanov 🇺🇦 · $25
  • Gemma D. Mendoza 🇵🇭 · $15

    “Blessings. Only $15 but hope it helps. - Makati”

  • Kumar P. Warrier 🇮🇳 · $25
  • Hira Humaira Iqbal 🇵🇰 · $200
  • Rocío H. Rivera 🇺🇸 · $25

    “Be well. Only $25 but hope it helps. - Dallas”

  • Sari Lestari Hutapea 🇮🇩 · $25
  • Musa Nnamdi Abdullahi 🇳🇬 · $50
  • Lalita Tangsiri 🇹🇭 · $500

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  • wishing you the best, Lillian. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier

    • Sending good thoughts, Lillian. Looking forward to the next update. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. All the best.

      • Ximena J. VillalobosPhoto verified

        Wishing you peace. Looking forward to the next update. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it. God bless.

        • Hope things get better soon. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. My sister had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Thinking of Rockford

          • stay strong. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Greetings from Mumbai.

            • Wishing you peace, Lillian. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. Please keep us posted. All the best.

              • Hope it all works out, Lillian. This could happen to any of us. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. Greetings from Akron

                • You're not alone. Gave what I could, wish it was more. Love from Üsküdar

                  • Thanks for sharing this. Hope this works out for you. Greetings from Bekasi

                    • Carter DelgadoPhoto verified

                      So sorry you're going through this, Lillian. This could happen to any of us. I'll check back for the next update.

                      • Thinking of you, Lillian. Looking forward to the next update. My father had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Blessings!

                        • Sending good thoughts, Lillian. Your post was clear and honest. I told my book club about it and three of them are giving too.

                          • It takes guts to ask. Well done. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. Greetings from Kano.

                            • This could happen to any of us. Thinking of Rockford.

                              • Hope it all works out, Lillian. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like. All the best

                                • Wishing you the best, Lillian. I'd happily buy from you once you're back up. Blessings.

                                  • Keep going. Hope the shop reopens soon. My neighbor in Kasarani donated after I showed her your page.

                                    • take care. It takes guts to ask. Well done. Greetings from Liverpool

                                      • Thanks for sharing this, Lillian. Hope you get there. I'll check back for the next update.

                                        • Praying for you, Lillian. Small businesses are the heart of Rockford. Hope you're open again soon. Blessings.

                                          • Thinking of you and your family. This could happen to any of us. I hope July is when things finally get easier. Thinking of Rockford.

                                            $3,078 raised of $4,250

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