#kivazip

My GF and I have now invested in ten FULLY funded Kivazip loans ^_^. 

It is times like these that I’m really proud of humanity.  What if these small moves really do make a difference in moving capital into deserving hands? The possibly is here and it is happening. 

If you have some extra savings, instead of letting it sit in the bank how about using it as a loan to start a woman-owned and operated business?

See Kiva Zip below:

Hey Chicago! Join @kiva Chicago for a celebration of economic impact and small business. RSVP here. 

Yumami is growing up.

The seed of the Yumami idea was planted when I took a bite of burdock root at the Food Book Fair in Spring 2014. 

Since then we've gone through dozens of rounds of concepting, flavor testing, failures, and successes.

We've been completely self-financed since inception. But since validating the appetite for our snacks at the Tasting Series, it's time to grow beyond what our bootstrapping has accomplished. It's time for us to really bring 'umami for better eating' to life. 

Enter Kiva Zip...

Starting this Monday, Yumami is partnering with Kiva Zip as part of its beta program of small loans to small businesses.

Kiva Zip works differently from other established crowdfunding services. Contributors take part in a 0% interest P2P loan (with a minimum participation of $25) -- as a sign of belief in a company's founders and mission. 

Yumami will be seeking a $10K loan that will empower us to start scaling up our recipes with a co-packer, design & prototype packaging options, and show to other investors that we are offering a product the community wants. 

The first 15 days will be the private period. We'll send a link to our personal networks to contribute any amount from $25 up. The 45 days following will be the public period, when anyone in the world can add to the total $10K loan. 

This is not a donation.

We believe strongly in our delicious, wholesome product, and our mission. A Kiva Zip 0% interest loan works for Yumami because we're a viable business with a path to profitability. At this early stage, every dollar truly counts. 

We are also a mission-driven brand that wants to improve people's food choices. Your contribution is an endorsement of that mission.

And we commit to being responsible stewards of your contribution. 

Stay tuned for our private Kiva Zip launch on Monday!

Wholebetter Worm Compost - Kamuela, HI

Story time. For many, this single phrase prompts one to reminisce of younger, lighter days. As a child, hearing this prompted the immediate act of running to the librarian to score a seat close to the pictures. Sometimes, no book is even required. Word of mouth itself transcends time. The books of the bible were told orally for generations, even centuries before they were written down. Stories…

ECO City Farms are raising funds to install gutters and drainage pipes to prevent their farm's soil from being systematically depleted of its nutrients.

Helen: Itskale

Madeleine: Fond, LLC