Your "Zone Away From Home".
Project Description
AwayZone is an ecosystem that allows traveling consumers who are seeking culturally specific goods and services to support business owners and service providers that cater to certain cultural social norms, values, beliefs, and religious practices or customs.
By connecting people to the places that meet certain cultural expectations, we have created a network of people who understand their role in serving their communities, Supporting the members of their communities, and creating value for everyone in the community.
The AwayZone network will help the racial, ethnic, religious and sexual orientation minority business owners grow financially so they can gain access to the resources they need to flourish, generate profits locally, and pay those profits back into the community who invested in their success.
The Green Book was a travel guide that was created in the 1930s to educate black travelers on the places to go (and not to go) in the US where they would be welcomed. Victor Hugo Green, the author, said there will be a time in the near future (or so he thought) when the Green Book would not be needed … a time when there would be equal opportunities and privilege in the United States for black people. The Green Book was published out of necessity in the '30s, '40s, '50s and '60s.
The value in the AwayZone app is in it's ability to create an ecosystem that will connect businesses to expatriates, business travelers, college students, intentional spenders, transracial families, cultural explorers and tourists (anyone with a sincere interest in other cultures) who are seeking culturally specific goods and services in new and unfamiliar cities.
Updates
The Project FAQs
- Who does the AwayZone platform serve?
- Business owners that represent a racial, ethnic, religious, and/or sexual orientation minority in the U.S. – We do not give preference to one underrepresented group over another
- Traveling consumers who are looking for culturally relevant products, goods, services and events in unfamiliar cities and towns
- What is the AwayZone platform?
- A web-based mobile travel app that connects minority-owned businesses to traveling consumers who are looking for culturally specific products, goods, services, and events in unfamiliar cities or towns
- What businesses can subscribe to the AwayZone platform?
Businesses serving in:
- Arts & Entertainment (Festivals, Music performances, Comedy shows, Dances, Etc.)
- Beauty (Hairstylist, Barber, Haircare suppliers, Manicurist, Pedicurists, Etc.)
- Fashion & Retail (Clothing, Jewelry, Shoes, Specialty merchandise, Etc.)
- Food & Drink (Grocery store, Restaurant, Specialty items, Etc.)
- Health & Wellness (Spa, Fitness clubs, Dojo, Yoga, Etc.)
- Humanities (Not-for-profit organizations with missions to serve marginalized groups)
- Education (Bookstores, philosophy, museums, Etc.)
- Places of Worship (Christian church, mosques, temples, Etc.)
- What if I am a minority owner but my business does not fit in one of the categories above?
- We are making space for advertising and promotion opportunities available for businesses that do not fit the criteria above. When the app goes live, we will provide in-app advertising opportunities for professional services (e.g. lawyers, doctors, accountants, loan officers, auto sales, etc.)
- What if I am not a traveling consumer but still looking for culturally relevant goods, services and events in my hometown?
- We are here for you too! The AwayZone User experience is the same for travelers as it is for people who live in the city. Intentional spenders, parents of adopted children who want to keep their children connected to their birth culture, or supporters of other cultures can use the search and filter features of the app to find the businesses or events that provide the cultural experiences they want to enjoy
- Will the AwayZone platform encourage further segregation?
- AwayZone Inc. is a supporter of diversity and inclusion and our platform was created to ensure minority business owners, who have historically faced obstacles towards establishing and sustaining their businesses in the U.S., have a useful marketing and advertising tool that will help them connect with the consumers who have an appreciation for their unique service offerings.
- We also aim to support consumers who are unsure of what businesses will accept them regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. We are not here to solve the traditional and historical issues of segregation rather; we are here to provide a solution to the systemic racism that had plagued both the business and travel communities at large.
- How will the $25,000 be used?
The breakdown is as follows:
- $5,000 – completion of the MVP
- $5,000 – development of focus group and testing of the app
- $8,000 – Compensation to the AwayZone Inc tech team
- $5,000 – Marketing collateral/materials
Remaining to cover fees and other related expenses towards executing this campaign
Just Because I Care
Any dollar amount you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
By choosing this, you are demonstrating that you believe it is possible to create a network of people who understand their role in serving their communities, will actively support the members of their communities, and create value for everyone in the community. You are a SUPPORTER OF THE MISSION. Our sincerest thank you for thinking about us and helping move the mission forward.
With this level of support, we are telling EVERYONE we know that you supported us! We will add your name to our website to let every visitor know just how great you are!
In addition to telling the world wide web how great you are, we will also send you a pack of 5 AwayZone logo decals. Be sure to pass these out to your community and spread the word about our mission! Includes a personal thank you note from our CEO. Shipping included.
In addition, to listing your name on our website and receiving a personal thank you letter from the AwayZone CEO, we will tell our social media network what a generous and supportive person you are in the form of a tweet, post, or gram. Thousands will see who you are and what you stand for. Tell us your social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box.
In addition to adding your name to the website, doing a social media shout out and sending you a personal thank you letter from our CEO, we will also send you an AwayZone T-shirt. Tell us your shirt size and social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box. Shipping included.
Select this option to gain access to our BETA product, create your profile, add your cultural preferences, and give us your feedback! Feel good knowing your thoughts were instrumental in creating a product that will significantly influence how minority consumers connect with minority business owners. Tell us your social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box.
Not-for-profit organizations will receive a twelve-month subscription at a discounted rate. MUST include organization website. May be subjected to demonstrate proof of 501c3 designation.
For-profit business owners who select this option will receive a twelve-month subscription at 50% off starting on the first day the app goes live.
For-profit business owners who select this option will receive a 24-month subscription at 50% off starting on the first day the app goes live.
With this selection you will see your name on the website, receive a social media shout out, a personal thank you letter from our CEO, an AwayZone T-shirt and two (2) VIP tickets to the AwayZone launch party in Indianapolis, IN. This is an invite-only event. All details will be shared separately away from this platform. See you there!
Shipping included for T-shirt. Tell us your shirt size and social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box.
Travel expenses are the responsibility of the purchaser.
Rewards
Just Because I Care
Any dollar amount you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
By choosing this, you are demonstrating that you believe it is possible to create a network of people who understand their role in serving their communities, will actively support the members of their communities, and create value for everyone in the community. You are a SUPPORTER OF THE MISSION. Our sincerest thank you for thinking about us and helping move the mission forward.
With this level of support, we are telling EVERYONE we know that you supported us! We will add your name to our website to let every visitor know just how great you are!
In addition to telling the world wide web how great you are, we will also send you a pack of 5 AwayZone logo decals. Be sure to pass these out to your community and spread the word about our mission! Includes a personal thank you note from our CEO. Shipping included.
In addition, to listing your name on our website and receiving a personal thank you letter from the AwayZone CEO, we will tell our social media network what a generous and supportive person you are in the form of a tweet, post, or gram. Thousands will see who you are and what you stand for. Tell us your social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box.
In addition to adding your name to the website, doing a social media shout out and sending you a personal thank you letter from our CEO, we will also send you an AwayZone T-shirt. Tell us your shirt size and social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box. Shipping included.
Select this option to gain access to our BETA product, create your profile, add your cultural preferences, and give us your feedback! Feel good knowing your thoughts were instrumental in creating a product that will significantly influence how minority consumers connect with minority business owners. Tell us your social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box.
Not-for-profit organizations will receive a twelve-month subscription at a discounted rate. MUST include organization website. May be subjected to demonstrate proof of 501c3 designation.
For-profit business owners who select this option will receive a twelve-month subscription at 50% off starting on the first day the app goes live.
For-profit business owners who select this option will receive a 24-month subscription at 50% off starting on the first day the app goes live.
With this selection you will see your name on the website, receive a social media shout out, a personal thank you letter from our CEO, an AwayZone T-shirt and two (2) VIP tickets to the AwayZone launch party in Indianapolis, IN. This is an invite-only event. All details will be shared separately away from this platform. See you there!
Shipping included for T-shirt. Tell us your shirt size and social media handle in the “Message to the Entrepreneur” box.
Travel expenses are the responsibility of the purchaser.