The Kiva Rochester program is a partnership with Kiva, an international nonprofit organization, and the City of Rochester. Launched in August 2016 by Mayor Lovely Warren and the Office of Innovation, the program provides access to 0% interest crowdfunded loans of up to $10,000 for local small business owners who might have difficulty qualifying for capital from traditional financial institutions. The loans are crowdfunded $25 at a time by Kiva’s community of 2 million lenders from all over the world who support entrepreneurs as they launch and grow their businesses. To date, the program has connected 60 city of Rochester business owners with over $300,000 in 0% interest business capital. For more information, visit our website or Facebook, or send an email our way!

Kiva Rochester is partnering with I Heart ROC to bring you a series of interviews focusing on local entrepreneurs who are thriving in the Rochester community.

Bridget Straub came to Kiva Rochester with a great opportunity to expand her business’s offerings and serve her clients in a new way.  Bridget was endorsed by the Kiva Rochester team and therefore, half of her loan was funded through the Rochester Economic Development Corporation’s matching loan fund. The $5,000 Kiva loan helped her increase her capacity to support mothers and their children. Visit Bridget’s original fundraising profile.

Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published September 6, 2018.

Where are you originally from? How did you end up in Rochester at this time in your life?

I’m from Syracuse. I moved here for college to go to Fisher, where I studied education. I was a teacher until I had my kids. I never found my groove, professionally, until I got into birth work. I met my husband senior year of college, and he was from near Canandaigua. I loved Rochester while I was in school, and at that point, I only knew the east side of town. One time, we went looking for High Falls and never found it! I’m so glad I’ve stayed in the area; I love our life here.

What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?

The nature--I love that it doesn’t take much to get to green space or water. There’s great food, and lots of cultural opportunities, and things for my kids. They’re 4 and 6 years old. There are great coffee shops that are welcoming to kids, too, like Ugly Duck. I appreciate that.

What are some of your favorite/secret Rochester spots? 

I love Highland Park. I got engaged there, so I’m fond of it. I also love walking the canal, and visiting Tinker Nature Park.

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits? 

Parenting Village--they offer support for parents at all different stages. I also love the EarthWorks Institute--they have a Forest School that offers educational experiences in the outdoors for Rochester kids to explore.

If you had $100 and two hours to kill in Rochester, how would you spend the money/time? 

Without my kids? I’d go on a date with my husband, to Owl House or Swan Dive. Then we’d go wander around Greenovation, ReHouse, or ReStore and find some treasures.

What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather? 

I go to the Conservatory at Highland Park--it reminds me that life exists. Hippity Hip, a community play space, is great for that too. Anything community-based that reminds me that we’re not alone in the dreariness tends to help.

What is your favorite Rochester memory? 

I love any of the longer walks or drives I’ve taken in the city. I like having exposure to my surroundings for a long time, and being able to take it all in. Sometimes I like to pack my kids up in the car and take them for a drive along the shore, seeing the water as we go.

Last year, around Mother’s Day, I participated in the “Listen to Your Mother” event. There were so many cool stories told, and over 600 people attended! There was so much camaraderie in the room, sisterhood and understanding. I really liked that moment.

What makes Rochester unique? 

We’re a big city with a lot of offerings, but we still have a small-town feel. I grew up in Syracuse and never felt that way. The diversity of stuff to do can’t be beat.

What do you think could be improved about Rochester? 

Parcel 5 is in limbo. The Inner Loop is becoming green but isn’t quite green. We need more green spaces that are accessible to families and everyone in the community. In Ithaca, there’s a playground in the middle of the Commons, and it sends a very clear message to parents: “you’re welcome here.” Parents can be a bit overlooked in city planning.

If Rochester was a season, what would it be? 

It would be springtime. We constantly have new things developing and blooming. There’s so much growth, and we’re moving towards life.

Tell me about your business, Wildflower Birth Support. 

I became interested in birth work when I had my kids. I knew I wanted to do something in the field. My friend invited me to witness her birth, and that’s when I knew I wanted to become a doula. I got a certification and set up an LLC in 2016. To get certified, I had to attend a three day educational seminar, attend many births, and get observed and reviewed by doctors and nurses. This year, my business has exploded!

What does a doula do? 

Doulas support women through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. I provide information during pregnancy, attend labor and give emotional support, and offer pain relief techniques during birth. I help them weigh their options. In postpartum, I help connect them with any other resources they may need.

I hear you recently got a Kiva loan to help your business grow. What was that process like?

I heard about Kiva through another mom who was an entrepreneur. It was simple to apply. They hold office hours at the Central Library, so I went in to meet with them, and they were very supportive and encouraging. I also got connected with a mentor at SCORE, who helped me with a business plan and financials. Once the loan was set up, I was fully funded within 16 hours! It was a big shock and a joy.

How did your Kiva loan impact you/your business?

I was able to buy hospital-grade breast pumps that I rent out to moms. It helped me expand my reach to be able to help women in the postpartum period.

What is the best part of owning a business in Rochester?

I love connecting with families. Seeing moms who are faced with a difficulty or struggle and are able to overcome that, is so rewarding. I love supporting families and I now get to do that on a regular basis, which is awesome.

What are some of the challenges you face?

Well, my business is just me, and I’m on call at all hours of the day. Finding childcare can be tough. I also wish I had a more automated system for communicating with moms who want to rent my equipment. Sometimes I miss a phone call and wish I could get back to them quicker.

Do you have any advice for up and coming entrepreneurs in Rochester?

Show up before you’re ready. If I waited til everything was in line, I never would have started. Just put one foot in front of the other. Be okay with imperfection. Keep doing achievable things that carry you towards your goal.

Take care of yourself. It’s easy to expend yourself and burn the candle at both ends. Do what you can with what you have, and it will be okay.