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  • Emily Graham with Mighty Moms

How to Launch a Community Business to Support Domestic Abuse Survivors


Three women collaborating on their business with clothing and computers

Starting a small local business with a mission to support domestic abuse survivors can be a powerful way to make a positive impact on your community. The effects of domestic abuse ripple through families and communities, and by taking concrete steps to help survivors, you can foster a safer and more supportive environment for those affected. Join us as we explore how your business can make a difference in the lives of survivors while contributing to the overall well-being of your neighborhood.


Create a Basic Startup Plan

First, you’ll need to create a basic plan to guide the startup and growth of your business. Start business planning by defining your mission and business vision. For instance, if you’re launching a local cafe to employ domestic abuse survivors, your mission could be to create a welcoming environment that empowers survivors through employment. Be sure to research your local competitors and determine how your business fills an unmet need in the market.


Financial planning is equally crucial. For example, NerdWallet explains how to estimate your startup costs and ongoing expenses. Use this information to create a budget that also accounts for unexpected expenses, ensuring you can weather any challenges that come your way.


Many online resources exist to help you navigate this planning phase. Look for business plan templates, video guides, and local government resources to help guide your efforts. You can also attend local or free online workshops to learn more about entrepreneurship!


Digitize Your Business Documents


Digitizing your business documents, especially receipts and critical records, is a smart move during the planning phase and beyond. By saving your documents as PDFs, you ensure the formatting remains consistent and readable across all devices and operating systems. To convert files to PDF, try this for PDF file conversion—a simple tool with drag-and-drop functionality. This step will ensure your business information is always organized and accessible.


Forge Community Connections

Community connectedness is critical to the success of your local business. These connections not only provide vital resources and support but also amplify your impact. To get started, reach out to local domestic abuse organizations, shelters, and counseling services. Attend community events, volunteer, and actively engage with survivors to build trust and understanding with the community. Collaborations with like-minded businesses and charities can further strengthen your community ties.


Spread the Word


These community connections are great for getting the ball rolling on word-of-mouth marketing. Beyond this, harness the power of social media to share your mission and engage your audience. Consistently post impactful stories, testimonials, and updates about your organization. Local influencer marketing can also be effective, so reach out to accounts on social media that align with your mission and see if anyone is willing to collaborate and amplify your message.


Measure Your Success and Impact

Measuring your impact is key to ensuring your business makes a real difference in the lives of domestic abuse victims. Set key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the growth in support or donations, to track your success. Adaptability is important, so don’t hesitate to adjust your strategies to maximize your positive impact. By regularly assessing your efforts and being open to improvement, you can ensure that your business brings about meaningful change.


Starting a community business to support domestic abuse survivors is an impactful and rewarding journey. Creating a well-crafted startup plan, keeping your documents stored securely in the digital realm, and spreading the word through community engagement and online marketing will drive your mission forward. Your business will shine as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change in your community!


If you’re looking for more ways to make a difference, consider donating a cell phone you no longer need to the 911 Cell Phone Bank. We distribute these devices to victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.




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