Fund Me, KC: She’s served a community need; now LaRonda LaNear needs help filling her kitchen

Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” series to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses or lend a helping hand to others. This is an opportunity for business owners and innovators — like LaRonda LaNear’s effort to launch a brick and mortar space for We Got It Covered Food Services — to share their crowdfunding stories and potentially gain backing from new supporters.

Who are you?

LaRonda LaNear, We Got It Covered

My name is LaRonda LaNear. I am the founder of We Got It Covered Food Services. I am a graduate of Southwest Charter High School, a philanthropist in my community, and a mother to a vibrant, beautiful 9-year-old girl. Aside from my love of cooking and making people happy, she is my reason for starting We Got It Covered. Often working 10- to 12-hour days, I was unable to be present as a mom the way I wanted to be. I was determined to find a better solution to being there for her more then the typical 9-to-5 would allow.

What does your campaign hope to accomplish?

I hope to push We Got It Covered to the next level. I have big dreams of mentoring others in the catering/food industry, providing decent paying jobs in the community, and taking the company nationwide. With the help of the community, I feel optimistic that this dream that I’ve worked toward for the past five years will soon be a reality. While funding is in place to complete the build out, we need help purchasing equipment for our new brick and mortar, which will open at 79th and Wornall, across the street from KC Bier Co.

Click here to learn more about the We Got It Covered campaign.

What’s your ‘why’?

My why is bigger than me. Our mission is to provide delicious, fresh food at a reasonable price. However, there are so many small business owners that need help. I get emails and DM’s on social media daily asking for assistance. I have and will continue to create new opportunity for other small business owners, pulling them along with me as new opportunities arise. It’s bigger than We Got It Covered.

How much do you hope to raise with the crowdfunding campaign?

Running a food service business can be extremely expensive. Our goal is to raise $30,000 by December 31st.

Click here to help fund this campaign.

How do you plan to use the funds?

Funding will be used to purchase equipment for our new space — I’m so excited! — including an eight-foot hood, three-compartment sink, deep fryer, gas stove, tables and chairs for the venue, and a prep table. Any additional funding will be used for marketing and operations to push the business forward and help us compete with larger corporations.

Anything else our readers should know about We Got It Covered or this effort?

Donating is amazing, but please remember to patronize your local small businesses; we require the ongoing support of our community to be successful.

In exchange for donating, three selected funders will have the chance to win a free eight-hour rental at the venue. There will also be discount coupons handed out at the grand opening. I never imagined people would actually support We Got It covered; I appreciate everyone and all the encouraging words. It doesn’t go unnoticed.

This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.

For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn