How to get funding?

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Hello, my name is James and I have been trying to run a business since I prefer wprking for myself. It is easier on me to do so except for the money part.
I started a business called Geltium LLC, www.geltium.com, and started a store to sell print on demand shirts.

I enjoy creating art and this seemed like a perfect fit.

Unfortunately you need money to make money and I can't seem to get my hanfs on any to truly get my business going. I am relying on a lot of free services right now. I had 320 site visits recently with zero people buying anything. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. I need to make living but I am making absolutely nothing right now. I can't even get SSI help.

Lack of making a living is my number one cause of stress and effects all of me.

If anyone knows what I can do, please advise. Even if it is a simple review of my store, I would appreciate it.

I am confused why are you asking for donations for a for-profit business? That seems shady to me. People generally dont donate to things unless its non-profit? I am confused. Asking for donations as a for-profit business may be illegal.

Have you considered displaying samples at a local flea market for some exposure? Since you're located in a city, there should be such opportunities to show your talent. Also an online gallery of designs on your site?

It's not always easy to gain momentum but once you do it should get better.

I don't believe asking for donations for a project is not illegal. They crowd fund for all kinds of things including media such as movies and animations. Which is what I am trying to do. The store is for those who don't want to donate and want something in return such as a t-shirt. If enough people told me they did not like the donate I would have removed it. I have never gotten a single donation though.

I would love to display and where my t-shirts but that is where the problem is. I don't even have enough money to buy samples right now. I got sucked into the sales pitch of needing zero money to start a business. Which is a total lie a lot of these websites use to get people to sign up. Feel like a bit of a fool. But I do enjoy creating so I have been trying to continue anyway.

Thank you for the advice and incites. Appreciate it.

Hi friend, hope all is well.

I do have a few suggestions. Perhaps you should try to read up on SEO or brand marketing via various things like youtube etc. Another thing is if you are only doing your own designs, perhaps you could be a vendor or in other words find a way to do contracts with companies for various merchandise. Also perhaps niche down if you have not already. I hope that helps and is not too basic.

I would hire a lawyer to find out. Normally crowdfunders expect a return on investment if I am not mistaken. That is different than just a donation. You could possibly have patreon for donations if you had a social media aspect of your business because people donate to social media people all the time.Have you incorporated as legal entity such as a LLC or S-Corp or C-Corp? I would hire accountant.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

I am an LLC. I have looked into SEO but using a free site you are limited to what can be done. I have been thinking about just deleting the donations since no one is donating anyway. Just will send everyone to the store site instead. Hiring people can't be done since I am not making any money. Lack of funds is the biggest issue right now.

That is why I just entered a job coaching program to see if they can help. If anything I could possibly find another job that I can do and use tgat to help fund what I really want, which is my own business.

Still working at it as much as I can. Keep the suggestions coming. I really appreciate it.

Maybe you could find a venture capitalist and maybe try to get funding that way. A venture capitalist is a rich person who invests in small start-up companies in hopes of cashing out big time like on Shark Tank. Maybe you could get funding from family and friends. Maybe your mom and dad could chip in some money. Maybe borrow money from a bank if you have good credit and can get it with good terms. Sell a bunch of old stuff online.

Maybe mow lawns or deliver pizzas. Are the shirts being made state-side because if so i would try to get them from somewhere overseas to save the money. Maybe try to find someone who recently got an inheritance or maybe try to get funding for your venture from medical doctors. The doctors have a lot of excess income they would like to invest.It is possible your find a doctor who would be interested because many doctors are venture capitalists on the side. You could maybe go on TikTok and ask for donations because of financial problems. Just dont say an investment. Just ask for donations if you go that route.Maybe try to find a lottery winner or casino winner who wants to invest some of their newfound money. Maybe find an accredited investor or two. Only go into debt for it if its only chance at getting out of poverty. Maybe move to Texas and become a roughneck working on oil rigs and make 6 figures with no education. I know being self-employed is better for you but people normally dont get money for nothing. Maybe ask for donations on the street. Its legal and protected free speech. Maybe donate blood and/or plasma.

That sure is a lot of suggestions. As I said in my previous post I am looking into getting a job and funding my business that way.

If I get a job I enjoy I am willing to to do my business more as side gig. Either way I am doing what I can.

Some of the suggestions I can't do to health issues, a lot of others I have tried. I even looked into angel investors. But most investors right now perfer start ups that are tech oriented. My business is considered media and entertainment so it is not a great industry for looking for investors. On top of which investors are why we have so much crap, do to them looking for money instead of quality.

Ultimately I just need to catch a break. Something that has not been in my life yet. But I am still pushing for.

I have to admit I find the question interesting. So I did a web search and found this. Can't vouch for it, but I guess they know more than I do on the subject.

Can a for profit business accept donations

I got rid of the donation qr code off my website since it wasn't do anything. I also deleted the campaign off of PayPal.

I know I wasn't in the wrong since crowd funding is donation based. And all those are for profit businesses.

But if it helps people chill out and since I wasn't getting any donations it was a pretty easy delete.

Any real help?