There are two websites that I check out regularly. I thought I will share them with you here.
The first one is a place for the people who are interested in sponsoring micro-loans: http://www.kiva.org. I have been looking for a place where I can sponsor folks with micro-loans. Kiv does a great job of connecting the people who need the money to start a small business with the people around the world who can provide their support. I have sponsored 17 loans total and some of them have been repaid. So I can keep re-using the money to sponsor additional people. Kiva has 99+% of repayment rate, which is pretty good!
Talking about starting a business, http://www.kickstarter.com is a place for people to fund creative projects. It can be something related to technology, fashion, art, fashion, music, food, theater, etc. Some folks just need enough of backers to sponsor them, and help them to get their business started. In return, the backers may receive their products with a discount. I did my share there! I got a neat wallet already (http://www.ainste.com), I am waiting for my special Yoga mat coming in the fall (http://yogosport.com), the ear skin for the iPhone earpods (http://www.earskinz.com) which should prevent the earpods falling off from my ear (arriving next month), and artisan marshmallows (http://www.therusticpuff.com) which should arrive this month. It’s fun to explore new and creative products. It’s also great to help small business owners to kick start their business
Give them a try and let me know what you think!
Thanks for sharing.
The wallet is a good find. Very thin and practical. I am looking forward to the shipping of other items.
Quite a list! Of course being Taiwanese I am most interested in food as well as technology! Didn’t know they have artisan marshmallows?! 🙂
I just got a defaulted loan in Kiva. That means the person who borrowed the money couldn’t pay it back. Still, out of near 20 people who I have loaded the money to, it’s a good repayment rate. Besides, each loan is only $25. It’s not a big lost compared to helping other people. 🙂
I really like my wallet. I also just received the ear skin for the earpods. The earpods didn’t fall out at my first workout using it! It’s a good product.
I am still waiting for the marshmallows. They are a bit behind on their order. It happens now and then for this type of small business funding. I am looking forward to receiving them though!