Help Krumville Bake Shop Grow with Kiva Zip

I recently became involved with Kiva Zip NYC, a company that crowd funds loans for small businesses. This is a really unique way to help a business grow by lending a small amount of money to the campaign. Unlike Kickstarter or other crowd funding platforms, Kiva Zip loans are always paid back to the lender by the borrower. Kiva Zip loans can be used for any business purpose, such as investing in new equipment, purchasing inventory, hiring staff, expanding product lines, marketing or advertising, etc.

Loans are crowd-funded on the Kiva Zip website by individuals around the world who invest as little as $25. It’s a powerful marketing platform that can get a business exposure to new potential customers and advocates.  Their funding success rate is over 90% and the process only takes a few weeks.

I was so impressed with the Kiva Zip model that I decided to become a trustee. As a trustee, I get to put my name and support behind some really innovative small businesses. I can work with the borrowers to help them meet their fundraising needs while giving them guidance about how to reach the gluten-free customer. Please note, I do not make any money being a trustee. I just get to help other entrepreneurs meet their goals.

My first endorsement is Krumville Bake Shop, a local gluten-free bakery based in Brooklyn, New York. I have known Krumville Bake Shop and owner Antonella for years. Antonella has provided the NYC Celiac Meetup Group with many delicious gluten-free treats at local events. She has hosted baking classes for our group as well as sharing her space with the Pasta Flyer team. Antonella has celiac disease and must eat gluten-free so she knows exactly what the gluten-free customer is looking for in a baked good. Besides being a great baker, Antonella is also a super friendly and generous person. When the Kiva Zip stars aligned and Krumville was looking for a trustee to endorse her project, I knew she would be my first endorsement!

It would be amazing if you could help Antonella meet her Kiva Zip borrowing goal. This loan will help Krumville Bake Shop buy new baking equipment, increase their inventory, and grow their online brand. Your money will also help a hardworking gluten-free baker grow her business AND you will be paid back throughout the duration of the loan. It seems like a win-win to me!

There are only 7 days left of Krumville Bake Shop's Kiva Zip campaign so be sure to visit the lending page today: https://zip.kiva.org/loans/16977


If you are looking to become a borrower and need an endorsement, please click here. 

Gluten-Free at Taste of Kiva Zip NYC

Last week I went to a really cool event in Manhattan. This event was hosted by KivaZip. According to KivaZip FAQ, "Kiva Zip is part of Kiva.org. It is a small project through which lenders make microfinance loans directly to borrowers in the U.S. and Kenya via the Internet. Kiva Zip was launched as a pilot in November 2011 and moved into its Alpha testing phase in September 2012."

I was already familiar with Kiva.org but didn't realize that they were now funding entrepreneurs closer to home. As a small business owner, I know how difficult it can be to start up a company. I think this community supported type of financing is such a cool idea. Find a product or project you believe in, support it financially, and get your money back. It's as simple as that!

I was especially impressed with the Taste of Kiva Zip event because there were so many gluten-free businesses displaying their products. I think more than half were actually gluten-free! These businesses were funded thanks to the microfinance loans through KivaZip. The money raised helped them to launch their businesses or move it into the next level of product. The producers were grateful and very friendly. I was happy to meet and eat!

Please help support these small gluten-free businesses by visiting their websites and purchasing their products!

Nuts+Nuts, a farm-direct Indonesian Roasted Cashew Company
http://nutsplusnuts.com/

itskale: baked kale and chia seed chips
http://www.itskale.com/ 

Hernan Mole Pipian
NOTE: only this version of their mole is gluten-free!
http://www.hernanllc.com/  

Hernan Mexican Hot Chocolate
http://www.hernanllc.com/

Little Luna Cookies from 8 Bit Bakeshop
https://www.8bitbakeshop.com/little-luna.html 

Ka-Pow Veggie Jamz
http://veggiejamz.com/

Nonna's Sauces
http://www.citysaucery.com/nonnas-sweet-sauce/

Note, many of these products are made in shared facilities or incubator kitchens. I spoke to each producer to explain I was celiac and not just eating gluten-free by choice. It is up to you if you feel comfortable eating these products.



Are you interested in helping a gluten-free company build their business through a microfinance loan on KivaZip? Help Yummy Mummy Cupcakery, a gluten-free and vegan bakery, reach her goal by lending money today! https://zip.kiva.org/loans/14952