Hello, my name is Cynthia Smalls and I'm fundraising for financial support for supplies & equipment in getting my handmade greeting card business off the ground. Long story short, from 1998 to 2019, I had been plagued by the debilitating effects of what comes with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). In 1998, I suffered a stillbirth as was diagnosed. In 2005, I suffered a stroke because of it. In 2009, I delivered a premature (2lbs. 8oz.) baby because of it. In 2011, I suffered a heart attack because of it. In 2014, I suffered a miscarriage because of it. In 2019, I underwent emergency brain surgery due to bleeding on my brain because of it. All in all, at the age of 41, I had to retire on a fixed income through SS disability because of it. And to make matters worse, during all this, I became a 2x survivor of domestic violence abuse, with the last being in 2019 when I was staring down the barrel of a pistol with my ex-husband trying to kill me. And with that, I was done! Between that debilitating autoimmune disease and the physical and psychological abuse I endured, I leaned heavily on my faith to pull me through! And what I come to find out, is that I have a talent that has been given to me to bring joy to others with the creative works of my hands. Practically all day, I seek out ways to bring out this wonderful gift I’ve been given, by making handmade cards that people proclaim are “simply beautiful,” “You should be selling these!” I’m standing as a testimony to women everywhere that have been and are going through illnesses and domestic violence, there is hope and a way out! Once, I decided to put away all toxicity in my personal life and be open to the things of my faith, my health is getting better, my mind got renewed and my focus shifted from depression to gladness, and I strive to bring joy through beautiful crafting works of art on a 4 ¼ x 5 ½ canvas! And thus, The Way Greeting Card Co. was born!! This company is a great vehicle for that “can do” attitude, renewal, grit, and resilience that’s in all of us who are up for the challenge! I’m so empowered now! I feel I can do anything that I set my heart and mind on! No longer frustrated and stagnated, I feel accomplished in what I envisioned to be an e-commerce and retail (pop-up store) crafting business. In addition to making all occasions greeting cards, I design and create mass-produced & handmade prayer/devotional journals and notebooks that are specially designed for women who need a space to write and chronicle all that they are going through, knowing that these awful things too shall pass! The challenge I foresee is that the greeting card business can be oversaturated with gimmicky printed designs and seasonal creations that get tossed once the recipient reads them and gets the money out! I’m inspired to make works of art that can fit inside a standard mailing envelope and be admired and cherished for a lifetime – why not?! LOL! The primary feature of my card line is fashioned in the shabby-chic/vintage genre that adds texture (ribbons & lace), elegant Victorian style, and dimension with each card. My secondary feature is cards that are fun, whimsical, and contemporary. I’ve also added a line of paper “gift box” purses that adds to the collection of gift-giving ideas. If I am so able to raise at least $1,500, I would use the money towards purchasing a new computer, printer, and professional camera for uploading images of my creations to my newly created website: The Way Greeting Card Co. Right now, I can only afford to make a portfolio website, directing sales to my Etsy store: DesigningWithLuv (which has zero sales to date). I would love to be able to upgrade my website to an e-commerce store where people may purchase directly from the online shop, rather than being directed to Etsy (sale opportunities can be lost with re-direction). I would also put it towards purchasing equipment for craft shows/events (i.e., pop-up tents w/ leg weights, tables/chairs, display racks, signage, and fees), marketing fees for social media advertising to drum up sales, buying more crafting supplies and tools to make bulk cards for inventory. A store/business I can call my own, using this wonderful gift of crafting that I have been blessed with, will fulfill a dream of mine that I’ve had for years – having a woman-owned business! Thank all of you for listening to my story and pray that you feel it in your hearts to help me out. I so greatly appreciate your contribution, compassion and generosity!
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