Reopening My Boutique

My name is Michelle. I have a small business which is a women's boutique The Priceless Diamond Collection. I have had my boutique since 2020 and I was so excited about opening it. I always dreamt of being an entrepreneur. I started selling hair in clothes out of my car in 2016, but I wasn’t so passionate about it. I had saved enough money to get a building, but I kept pushing it off. One day I was driving, and I saw a blue building with a white door that had a for rent sign on the window. I pulled over and called the number the guy answered and came within 30 minutes to give me a tour. I had a vision as soon as he opened the doors. He asked me what you are planning on doing with the building. I told him about a women’s boutique. Within 2 months I had a grand opening, and it was amazing, so many people supported me. My customers continued to support me, and people were driving from other cities to come support me. In 2021 I did a major renovation and the renovation & I had a re-grand opening in July which is the month of my birthday. I had food, treats, music, and a good sale to show my customers some appreciation. The renovation cost me a ton of money which set me back financially. So, I decided to put my steel toe boots back on and the plan was to close my store front for 2-3 months & do online sales to keep my customers, while I went off to work. My plan was an epic failure on August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana. I got a call while I was in Indiana working saying the roof came off my building and several other businesses buildings.  I then called the landlord because he didn’t notify me of anything. & I’m in tears while typing this. It hurts so bad losing everything you worked so hard for. The landlord told me oh no your building isn’t hurt at all. That was a sigh of relief. Well, the lady beside my boutique had her a boutique as well, she sent me pictures of the roof and the damage. My job which was supposed to last 2-3 months only lasted 4 weeks. I was on my way back to Louisiana, once I made it back home after the 14 hour drive I stopped at my boutique. When I opened the doors, I smelled what appeared to be mold. I turned the lights on and everything I built/worked hard for was all gone.  All my furniture, new fixtures from the renovation, all the new merchandise was all molded. My clover register had water damage.  I couldn’t save anything but a few shelves and mannequins.  I cried like a baby, I felt like I lost everything. I didn’t have rentals insurance which was my biggest mistake ever being a young first-time business owner with no mentor or leadership I was basically figuring everything out on my own. The landlord asked me if I wanted to renew my lease and I knew I couldn’t because it was going to take me months to rebuild everything I lost. I got a slap in face from FEMA and SBA. I got discouraged and gave up on my dream. It’s actually taking a lot for me to get on here and ask for help when I’m so use to getting everything on my own. I wrote all of this to say that I’m not giving up on my dream. I gave up on my business 2 years ago and I’m back for another round because GOD SAID GO. Another successful business owner said to me “If you done it once you can do it again” and I’m learning just because you didn’t succeed the first time that doesn’t mean stop if you really want it keep going until you get it right. If you read all of this thank you for read & I really appreciate you. Also, for the ones who are giving me another chance to get my boutique back thank you as well. Every gift matter, especially yours.