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Help us open our Storefront!

Help us open a Plant and Lifetsyle Store in Maryland.

$425
pledged of$50,000 goal
8
0Days Left

Project Description

The Leafy Branch is a Woman owned lifestyle shop located in Maryland that offers lush healthy houseplants, plant care items and custom designed home decor and apparel.  The shop is primarily an e-commerce shop shipping to every US state including Hawaii. The e-commerce store opened in January of 2020 by Chanel Gloster, the founder and CEO after she noticed the disparity of plant and home decor shops owned and operated by people of color.  People of color have a long standing history of collecting, caring for and cultivating indoor plants and always pioneers in design and creative spaces, yet in the midst of Covid with the plant and home decor markets exploding there were few plant and home decor shops owned by people of color! There are currently no black woman owned plant and home decor shops in Chanel's community and she wants to change that!
 
In 2020 Chanel decided to pursue this dream thus The Leafy Branch was born.  While starting as an e-commerce shop the goal was always to open a storefront, to provide fellow plant and home decor enthusiasts a beautiful place to shop, learn and explore and also to become an incubator for other small black women owned businesses. During the early stages of the pandemic the indoor plant and home decor markets exploded with more people staying home and venturing into the world of collecting plants. This was especially true with people of color. Chanel completely immersed the store within the growing plant community and quickly grew both a following and customers.  Once covid restrictions began to ease she began to safely venture out participating in various pop-ups and events to gain more exposure for the store and the response was amazing!
 
Owner setting up for the 2021 Around The World Cultural Festival in Old Town Alexandria, VA in July 2021.
 
Over the last 2 years Chanel has invested in variety of ways to grow the e-commerce shop and and is ready to power forward and open a storefront. The storefront will be located in Maryland and will be a beautiful inclusive space filled with lush, healthy plants, succulents, cacti and plant themed merchandise. The store will be a space where all people feel at peace and are encouraged to explore plants, wellness and a sense of community.  We will offer a variety of classes and specialty events for both adults and children to learn about plants, wellness and creating beautiful spaces. 
 
One of the most important items the store would offer would be a space for other small women led minority businesses to grow their brands and businesses by providing "pop-up" space monthly at no cost. While we work towards being able to provide this opportunity to other black owned business start-ups, Chanel gives back to the black plant community with her page The Black Plant Village on Instagram. This page was created to provide exposure and support to other black owned plant businesses and service providers for FREE. Chanel hosts a series "What's Poppin where she chats with business owners to learn more about their businesses and how the black plant community can support them.
 
Chanel also offers virtual classes for children ages 4-6 years old to help them learn or continue learning about houseplants and and nurture their love for nature. 
 
We cannot do this without you! With your donation 100% of the funds raised will be applied towards:
 
-The ability to sign a lease on a commercial space and/or the ability to purchase a commercial space.
-More Aggressive Marketing and Business Exposure
-Increased inventory 
-The ability to offer employment to others in my community
 
We look forward to providing our community with plants and black girl magic and you can help us do that. Please donate and if you can't please share this campaign. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sharon Keohavong
03/14/2022
Monetary Contribution
$30
Kelcie Glass
02/16/2022
Phildodendron Brasil- 4in
$75
Deborah Robey
12/25/2021
6IN Philodendron Brasil
$50
Charlain
10/21/2021
Custom Planty High Top Sneakers
$150
10/19/2021
Monetary Contribution
$20
Nola
09/20/2021
Monetary Contribution
$50
Andre
09/17/2021
Monetary Contribution
$40
Number 1 Fan
08/30/2021
Monetary Contribution
$10
Monetary Contribution

I encourage anyone who wants to give, to do whatever feels comfortable. Sharing the campaign on your social platforms or by word-of-mouth is also a great way to help The Leafy Branch get to the next level.

Everything helps!

5 Supporters
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Gaithersburg, MD
Created 2 Campaigns
Business Services
Family
Lifestyle
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

I encourage anyone who wants to give, to do whatever feels comfortable. Sharing the campaign on your social platforms or by word-of-mouth is also a great way to help The Leafy Branch get to the next level.

Everything helps!

5 Supporters
Select this reward