Elle Jae Essentials Skincare Boutique is expanding its operations to a new location in the University Avenue Corridor with help from pioneer crowdfunding platform KIVA.
Launched in 2017, Elle Jae Essentials is the creative brainchild of Flint entrepreneur La’Asia
Johnson. Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease at the age of 14, Johnson’s interest in health and beauty products began when she started formulating her own skincare treatments for severe scalp infections and other skin common conditions related to Crohn’s.
Elle Jae Essentials now offers a full line of all-natural, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly—skin, hair and beard care products for both women and men. Johnson will be expanding into a live/work space in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Genesee County, and is leveraging the KIVA platform to raise $15,000 to cover final costs.
KIVA is an online crowdfunding platform that brings together friends, family and micro-lenders worldwide to provide capital for the underserved and improve access to financial services around the globe. Through micro loans for as little as $25, anyone can invest in the success of an entrepreneur, student, farmer or family. A successful KIVA campaign releases loan funds at 0% interest, allowing recipients the freedom to repay lenders over time.
Prior to being accepted into the KIVA program, Johnson—a former YouthQuest student—spent four years working with various community partners in Flint to develop, launch and grow her business. Ongoing business support included Flint SOUP, I’m Building Something Consulting, 100k Ideas, Michigan Small Business Development Center, Flint & Genesee Economic Alliance and the Flint & Genesee Group.
Loan support will allow Johnson to hire additional staff from the community, purchase equipment and prepare the interior of the building to receive customers.
More details on how the Flint community can lend their support can be found here on the
campaign website: https://tinyurl.com/5cz8w9js.
