The Pitch
I am a mother and I am a college student. My son is almost one. In the last year, my apartment has accumulated "stuff" in every crevice that anything can fit. People always talk about how quickly children grow but the reality of that warning is a different ball game. Each and everytime that I try and fit something into my closet, I think to myself, "how many other people are going through this also?" The website will primarily cater to this audience; people with children who have items that they need to get rid of. On The Mommy Cycle the person with a child (or children) will be able to swap for another item that they may use or have the option to sell their item outright, as well as the option to purchase an item outright. Initially, The Mommy Cycle will exclusively be online, in the future I hope to open up a physical location depending on how successful the wesbite is.
Impact
This website will provide a forum for people with children to get rid of used and unused items in a way that will benefit them, as opposed to what I've done: try to sell things on **aig's List, trying to swap things on **ee Cycle, wait until I know someone who is having a baby or specifically a son. Needless to say, I've gotten rid of a few items but my apartment still has baby items stashed all over the place because I don't have anything else to do with them. I'm not planning a second child anytime soon so "saving for the next" isn't appealing. I (and I imagine many others) would like to be able to get rid of some items and get some items that I can actually use. And the beautiful part is when I have no use for the newly acquired items, I can always repost them to the site and keep the "cycle" going. As a parent, I know that something like this is very needed. If it doesn't happen, I (and many other parents) will have to continue to get creative with these items. We could always donate or throw the items away but raising a child is an on-going process. We will constantly be purchasing new items and stashing used items, this site will be with parents from birth until their children are out of the nest
What We Need & What You Get
We need at least $5,450 in order to be safe and secure. This money will go towards the construction of this website and the fee for making use of FundaGeek. I also have my own resources that I will also be putting towards this project.
Rewards:
$5.00-$25.00 and you will be featured as a part of an honor list that will be presented on the final website.
$25.01-$50.00 pledged and you will be a part of our honor list and receive two free cycles on TMC.
$50.01-$100.00 pledged and you will be a part of our honor list and receive five free cycles on TMC.
$101.00- $500.00 pledged and you receive a TMC mug, you will be a part of our honor list and you will receive three free cycles on TMC.
$501.00- $1,000 pledged and you will receive a TMC mug, you will be a part of our honor list and you will receive five free cycles on TMC.
$1,001- $2,000 pledged and you will receive a TMC travel mug, you will be a part of our honor list and you will receive five free cycles on TMC.
$2,001 and beyond pledged and you will receive a TMC iPad Case, you will be a part of our honor list and you will receive ten free cycles on TMC.
(A Cycle: The actual listing and subsequent swap, buy or sell on The Mommy Cycle)
Other Ways You Can Help
If you or someone that you know has children, then you must know how much this is needed. Please share this with everyone that you know who has children, anyone who may be interested in funding this project. I'm just a single mom balancing a one year old and a full-time course schedule, trying to make a dream come true. I'm hoping this works out, praying it works out. Spread the word!