Harringay Marketeer asks for crowdfunding support

Bel Shaprio selling her Salt Beef, Pickles and Beer as Bell & Brisket

Harringay Market Stallholder and Wood Green local, Bel Shapiro of Bell & Brisket is asking for your involvement to help accelerate her business. 

Bel has been operating her business for nearly two years now and is currently looking at alternative ways to raise finance to develop it further. She is currently running a crowd funding project to raise the capital required to convert an old horse trailer into a mobile salt beef bar / pub, with the intention of it becoming a standout feature at events, parties and of course at Harringay Market.

Bel told me, "It’s going to cost about £15k and I don’t have any capital. I am instinctively reluctant to turn to the banks for help, not only because of the current economy, but just because I don’t want to borrow money at this stage.

"I stumbled across crowdfunding quite recently and loved the altruism it inspires in a community to get a business off the ground. Small businesses make the world go round, so to invest in one without direct financial gain is such a refreshing idea.”

If you haven't heard of crowdfunding before or you have but aren't really sure what it is, in a nutshell it's asking a crowd of people to donate a defined amount of money for a specific cause or project in exchange for various rewards. There are four types of crowdfunding:

1. Equity Based Crowdfunding: Investors receive a stake in the company. (If Pebble goes big, you get a percentage of the prize).

2. Donation Based Crowdfunding: Contributions go towards a charitable cause. (You paid for 50 children in Africa to receive watches).

3. Lending Based Crowdfunding: Investors are repaid for their investment over a period of time. (You invest in Pebble, and get your money paid back over time).

4. Reward Based Crowfunding: Investors receive a tangible item or service in return for their funds. (You invest in Pebble, and get a first edition watch.)

Bel's taking the reward-based approach. The rewards for pledges of between £10-£1000 range from discounts on the food, to T-shirts and a name plaque on the side of the trailer. For larger pledges you'll also be offered B&B catering for your events and parties.

Bel says, "In all cases no matter how much someone invests, they will get a credit, a thank you and at least a delicious salt beef bagel."

Bel has a target of £9k to be reached by next Monday. She has £2,500 in the pot. So the heat is on to reach the target.

You'll have to tale your own view on this version of crowd funding, but if you'd like to support Bel, www.pleasefund.us/projects/the-bell-brisket-trailer.