Kickstarter: Valarie Mayen Cleveland's Own Fashionista

Submitted by ClevelandCreatives on Tue, 05/24/2011 - 20:39.

Valerie MayenI happened on this online service called Kickstarter when my friend, Valerie Mayen, used it to fund her local fashion incubator start up "Buzz and Growl". Here's what Kickstarter has to say about their service:

Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every month, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

A new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.

All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.

Each and every project is the independent creation of someone like you. Projects are big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. They’re inspiring, entertaining and unbelievably diverse. We hope you agree... Welcome to Kickstarter!

Anyway, another friend, Aaron Strumpel, used it to fund his next music recording. Both friends met their financial goals and then some... so I've seen that it works even for both kinds of projects/startups. Valerie posted this video to tell more people about it and to generate interest. Of course it never hurt that she was on last years season of Project Runway. Here's a link to her project on Kickstarter.

Anyway... I'm sharing all of this because if you have a decent business idea, but lack the funding, this might be a way to raise the capital to get your idea off the ground.

Buzz and Growl | Valerie's Store on Etsy | Youtube Enjoy!

Kickstarter-Cleveland

 

Thank Todd Berger  for sharing this post and information--if an idea has merit, then funding should be forthcoming. 

 

My only concern would be possible poaching, but so far--the site intrigues and it also possibly catalogs creative efforts and successes by city:

http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/cities/cleveland-oh  34 projects posted as of today--

 

Here are some of the successful entries:

http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/cities/cleveland-oh/successful?ref=more#p1

http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/cities/austin-tx  232 projects posted as of  today

http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/cities/los-angeles-ca  1023 projects posted as of  today

 

And, so on--

With social media--it's hard to gauge these efforts. 

 

Although, it would be nice to see Cleveland consistently listed as a creative city on the sidebar.

 

And, thank you Todd especially for highlighting Valerie Mayen's entry -she is a great force in NEO ! 

We need to connect her with Janie :)  http://janiessewingcorner.com/

http://kck.st/aaj3Q5  http://www.buzzandgrowl.com/ 

Sewing Cooperative!
 

 


 

 

Charlie Mosbrook makes kickstarter bid

Charlie Mosbrook, Cleveland musician and open mic organizer not only helps other musicians gain exposure, he is raising funds on Kickstarter through 2:11 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14. If you support Cleveland creative community organizing, Charlie is good cause.

www.kickstarter.com/projects/charliemosbrook/give-me-the-strength-to-rise-to-my-feet/posts/81720