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Outdoor Besties: BIWOC Healing & Adventure App

We maximize opportunities for BIWOC to make money, be healthier & connect in meaningful ways via outdoor activity. Help us launch Version 2!

$855
pledged of$3,000 goal
11
0Days Left

Project Description

 

multiple images of cell phones showing various features of the Outdoor Besties App
The Problems facing people of color in the outdoor and wellness space

     

    The needs of BIPOC have not historically been served by the outdoor industry:

    • Inclusion: The desegregation of national parks was mandated in 1945 (NPS), but since then, little efforts have been taken to support more inclusion of historically marginalized groups.
    • Accessibility: Communities of color are three times more likely than white communities to live in "nature deprived" areas (The Nature Gap) 
    • Racism: BIPOC don't feel safe or welcome in outdoor spaces; from microaggressions while birdwatching to fatal attacks while jogging, these experiences are prevalent for people of color. 

    The barriers marginalized people, particularly those that black women face in outdoor spaces reflects the barriers they face in health and wellness.

     

    3 Chronic Health Issues Affecting Black Women in the U.S.

    Studies have proven that people who spend time outdoors are healthier and happier

    Getting outdoors for just 10 minutes can help to:

    • Lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation
    • Improve immune system functions and fight infections
    • Reduce stress and anxiety; help the body regulate cortisol levels

    The Solution to the problems facing BIPOC in outdoors and healthOutdoor Besties App is the multi-faceted solution our community acutely needs and deserves.

    Outdoor Besties App provides immediate impact in two core ways:

    1. entrepreneurial outdoor enthusiasts can easily share and monetize their passions for outdoor activity

    2. women of color can discover and explore diverse healing, and adventurous outdoor activities 

    3 cell phone screens depicting how Outdoor Besties app works
    Three images.  image 1 depicting a group of black women wearing helmuts for ziplining. Image 2 shows a group of balck women hiking and image 3 shows a group a black women jogging outdoors.

    Our communities don’t feel safe, represented, or welcome in the outdoors and are also affected by the high prevalence of chronic diseases like diagnosed diabetes, heart disease and chronic stress. 

    Outdoor Besties tackles both issues head-on by fueling the growing passion economy in a way that helps historically marginalized groups make money, be healthier, and connect in meaningful ways.

    The Opportunity

    Key numbers to know: 

    • The global wellness tourism market size was valued at $801.6 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach $1,592.6 billion by 2030.  
    • Black women contributed to raising the total Black Spending Power to $1.5 Trillion in 2021
    • The passion economy is $38bn globally according to 2020 research, with fitness apps accounting for $4.4 billion of that in 2020
    The Funds

    With your support, I will be able to:

    • Improve the user and onboarding experience of the Outdoor Besties App
    • Compensate wellness practitioners and healthcare professionals to share their expertise and facilitate workshops
    • Hire key personnel to expand our digital and flagship events
    • Create a reserve fund for wellness bursaries for women facing financial difficulties
    • Pay for payment processing fees from Stripe, PayPal and IFundWomen 
    Bold Text reading "The Founder"
    Three images of two black women, a mother and adult daughter enjoying a stroll in various outdoor settings

    After nearly losing my mom to a heart attack over a decade ago, I became committed to her recovery and lowering my own risks for heart disease too.  Staying active and managing stress were top priorities for us so we began walking together. 

    While on these strolls, I faced the undeniable reality that we (BIPOC) were the minority on trails and parks but the majority in statistics for chronic illnesses.  I wanted a solution where others like us could easily find local outdoor activities, engage in meaningful ways and prioritize wellness. 

    I know first-hand the benefits that outdoor activity can have on mental and physical health and am deeply motivated to build Outdoor Besties as a tool for collective healing.

    Bullet point list of career highlights for Outdoor Besties Founder, Chasma Smith

     

    Thank you for being an ally, supporter and bestie!

    Chasma

    Updates

    The Campaign FAQs

    • Are you looking for wellness practitioners or workshop facilitators?
      • Yes!  Collaborators are welcome to submit your idea here and we’ll be in touch.
    • When will I get my reward?
      •  All rewards will be sent out to you once the campaign ends (unless otherwise noted). 
    • I’m not a marginalized person, does this mean I can’t use Outdoor Besties App?
      • Marginalized people, especially black women and LGBTQ people of color are the demographics we serve and the lens in which we see vast inequities in our industry.  We welcome allies and accomplices to pull up too.
    • When will this app be available for the general public?
      • We're on the fast-track and are aiming for a mid-July 2022 roll-out! We’ll be in touch ASAP to notify you when it’s ready.
    • I can’t donate monetarily, what other ways can I support Outdoor Besties?
      • We get it and ALL support is helpful and appreciated.  Here are a few no cost ways to champion us now and after the campaign ends:
        • Use the “Share Campaign” Button in the top right of the page and share our IFundwomen Campaign Page with your network and ask them to help us get to our campaign goal.
        • Subscribe to our Emails to stay in the loop of upcoming events and support
        • Follow and Engage with our posts on social media IG: @outdoorbesties and @LinkedIn 
        •  Introduce us to your company ERG (Employee Resource Group) organizers and/or Executive Assistants to lead a workshops
        • Share your story, writing skills and experience with us as a contributor
    06/17/2022
    Monetary Contribution
    $50
    Monetary Contribution

    Just Because I Care

    5 Supporters
    Select this reward
    10.00 USD
    Outdoor Besties Supporter

    Represent Outdoor Besties wherever you go and revitalize your favorite clothing item or accessories with our signature logo iron-on patch.

    For supporting us, you'll receive: 

    • 2.01" x 1.93"Iron-On Patch
    • Application Instructions

    **Tag @outdoorbesties in a pic of you wearing/receiving your patch for an exclusive invite to preview the Outdoor Besties App pre-launch**

    89 Left
    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    50.00 USD
    Creative Bestie Supporter

    Supporters receive a Outdoor Besties Coloring Book to tap into the inner child and creative energy to help your mind relax.

    You will also receive:

    • An invite to demo the Outdoor Besties App pre-launch**
    • Instagram Shout-Out
    • Invitation to our Well~ish Summit
    99 Left
    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    100.00 USD
    Day One Bestie Supporter

    Our Day One level supporters will receive access to all the above rewards plus:

    • Handwritten thank you card from our founder, Chasma
    • Recognition on our website 
    • Outdoor Besties Unisex T-Shirt
    47 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    500.00 USD
    Partner Bestie Supporter

    Let’s bring our brains and brands together to partner on something great!  Donors at this level will receive:

    • Ad placement in our app to promote your business to our audience of BIPOC outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor based business owners.
    • Co-branded Partner Event or Instagram Takeover
    • Featured Content on the Outdoor Besties Blog  *Content to be approved by our team*
    • Curated Gift box with products from our favorite BIPOC and women-owned wellness brands 
    • Content Deliverables w/ publishing rights
    • KPI metrics of events, survey responses,  engagement analytics of social and URL Tracking
    10 Left
    0 Supporters
    Select this reward
    2,000.00 USD
    Breath[Work] Bestie Supporter

    Bring some calm to your workplace with an engaging Breathwork Session customized and facilitated by our Founder, Chasma for your company or organization. 

    You'll receive:

    • One-Hour Virtual Breathwork Session  for up to 500 attendees
    • Recognition on Outdoor Besties Website and Newsletter
    • A Digital Breathwork Guide 
    • Access to the Balanced Bestie Affirmation Cards in the Outdoor Besties App
    5 Left
    0 Supporters
    Select this reward

    About the Entrepreneur

    Dover, DE
    Created 1 Campaign
    Lifestyle

    Rewards

    Monetary Contribution

    Just Because I Care

    5 Supporters
    Select this reward
    10.00 USD
    Outdoor Besties Supporter

    Represent Outdoor Besties wherever you go and revitalize your favorite clothing item or accessories with our signature logo iron-on patch.

    For supporting us, you'll receive: 

    • 2.01" x 1.93"Iron-On Patch
    • Application Instructions

    **Tag @outdoorbesties in a pic of you wearing/receiving your patch for an exclusive invite to preview the Outdoor Besties App pre-launch**

    89 Left
    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    50.00 USD
    Creative Bestie Supporter

    Supporters receive a Outdoor Besties Coloring Book to tap into the inner child and creative energy to help your mind relax.

    You will also receive:

    • An invite to demo the Outdoor Besties App pre-launch**
    • Instagram Shout-Out
    • Invitation to our Well~ish Summit
    99 Left
    1 Supporter
    Select this reward
    100.00 USD
    Day One Bestie Supporter

    Our Day One level supporters will receive access to all the above rewards plus:

    • Handwritten thank you card from our founder, Chasma
    • Recognition on our website 
    • Outdoor Besties Unisex T-Shirt
    47 Left
    3 Supporters
    Select this reward
    500.00 USD
    Partner Bestie Supporter

    Let’s bring our brains and brands together to partner on something great!  Donors at this level will receive:

    • Ad placement in our app to promote your business to our audience of BIPOC outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor based business owners.
    • Co-branded Partner Event or Instagram Takeover
    • Featured Content on the Outdoor Besties Blog  *Content to be approved by our team*
    • Curated Gift box with products from our favorite BIPOC and women-owned wellness brands 
    • Content Deliverables w/ publishing rights
    • KPI metrics of events, survey responses,  engagement analytics of social and URL Tracking
    10 Left
    0 Supporters
    Select this reward
    2,000.00 USD
    Breath[Work] Bestie Supporter

    Bring some calm to your workplace with an engaging Breathwork Session customized and facilitated by our Founder, Chasma for your company or organization. 

    You'll receive:

    • One-Hour Virtual Breathwork Session  for up to 500 attendees
    • Recognition on Outdoor Besties Website and Newsletter
    • A Digital Breathwork Guide 
    • Access to the Balanced Bestie Affirmation Cards in the Outdoor Besties App
    5 Left
    0 Supporters
    Select this reward