“Saving the Only Thing We Have”

In 2017, I lived through one of the hardest moments of my life: my business burned down completely. Years of effort, sacrifice, and dreams vanished in the flames. I had no choice but to start over from nothing.

In 2019, with the little I had saved and by borrowing money, I managed to reopen my business. It was an uphill battle, but I did it with love and hope — because I wasn’t just rebuilding a store… I was rebuilding my life and my daughter’s future.

However, during that chaotic time, I didn’t report the fire to the state. Not out of bad intentions, but out of fear and desperation. Now, the state is charging me $175,890 in back taxes, as if the business had never closed.

I don’t have the resources to pay that.

This business is all I have. It’s all my daughter has.

Losing it would mean losing our only source of income, our stability, and our dreams. This isn’t just a business — it’s our home, our hope, and our survival.

I’m not asking for pity — I’m asking for understanding. I’m asking for a chance to keep fighting honestly, like I’ve done from the very beginning.

If you’ve read this far, thank you. If you can share my story, help me get in front of the right people, or offer advice on how to solve this without losing everything — I will be forever grateful.

My daughter and I only have this. And I will do everything I can to save it.

#ViveAHand #SaveMyBusiness #SupportSmallBusinesses #RealStories #SingleMomStrong