The Virginian-Pilot
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April and Al Habit couldn’t Kickstart the expansion of their Virginia Beach store.
Last month, they put their project on the Kickstarter website. They hoped to raise $22,000 for kitchen equipment so they could serve sandwiches and other edibles at Southern Fried Studio & Shop, where they sell vintage and handcrafted products and baked goods in rural Pungo.
Kickstarter gives artists, entrepreneurs and others the chance to raise money from an online audience.
By the time the Habits hit their Kickstarter deadline on Tuesday, 46 donors had pledged $3,855. The website, though, requires that they reach their goal or get nothing.
The Habits aren’t discouraged. “It’s not like we put all our eggs in that basket,” April Habit said.
The Kickstarter campaign brought them attention from others who have offered help in various ways. One couple “drove all the way from Norfolk to give us cash in an envelope.”
They still intend to pursue their plans for Southern Fried, April said. “We are prepared to do whatever we need to do to keep going with this.”
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Nothing wrong with asking for help
I've donated to a KickStarter project. I wouldn't donate to all of them, but one caught my interest and I gave them some help. People have helped me along the way, so why not?
But its not an investment,its a gift. I won't get my money back no matter how successful they might be, so I'm not harmed if they fail. It's just a way to give someone a chance at success because it pleased me to do it.
I'd much rather make a gift to someone from time to time when the fancy strikes me than have them looking to government for what their neighbors can better do for them.
I say these things
Because my wife recently opened a business. Wouldn't have done so without capital...damn people. So after the "donations" and the business fails....then what? Can't repay but I have a brand new 22k kitchen....thanks.
Point
Is if I donnt have the money for a business, I certainly wouldn't start one.
If you
Dont have the money from the get go, seems to me you shouldn't be asking for others to help. Work harder, save the money, then expand. This is what's wrong with our country, everyone wants a handout.
Why should it matter to you?
If these folks can get a help with a start from folks who are willing to help them, how does that offend you? As you can see, it's not a blind bet. They had to raise ALL the goal, or else they got nothing. That requirement helps to ensure that their contributors are at least giving to someone who has a better shot at success. Beats the heck out of the government taking our tax money by force and giving it to folks we don't even know, with little or no requirement for anything in return. This didn't cost you a dime, so why should you begrudge an agreement between 2 parties that doesn't involve you?