Tired of Dirty Politics? Help Me “Clean” Up America!

Through my little company,Toot Sweet Ltd, I have made quality, natural fruit- and vegetable-based facial and bath soaps with honey, goat's milk and fine essential oils for over 10 years. I was in the beginning stages of expanding the product line to include creams and lotions and purchase the equipment necessary to bring soap production to a bigger scale when I suffered a huge financial setback.

My mother, who had lived with me for 12 years, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. We talked about what would likely happen as the disease progressed and she asked me to not put her into a nursing home--that she was frightened of being in one and terrified that she would die in a strange place with strangers around her. I promised to care for and keep her with me until the very end.

I accepted that her small pension and Social Security checks would not be sufficient to cover her care and medical costs so I assumed responsibility for them. I quickly learned that in-home care for someone diagnosed with a mental disease/disorder, such as Alzheimer's, is not covered by Medicare. When she began to need someone with her while I worked, I paid for a certified care attendant. So while I worked at a full time job, almost half of my monthly income went to pay for someone to be with her while I worked. I ended up pulling the necessary funds from my savings to cover the monthly shortage.

When her Alzheimer's progressed to where she needed round the clock attention, I left my job to take care of her full-time and used my savings to cover our expenses including the mortgage, groceries, utilities and her medical needs. When she passed away last year, after covering the cost for her in-home care for 5 years, my 401k and savings accounts were depleted, and I had no job. But I cannot feel regret: I fulfilled my promise to my mother. She never lacked for care or comfort from family and she passed away in her home as she had desired. She was my mother, and it was my desire to honor her.

So, now you know why "there's nothing left in the company till" and why I need help to pick up my dream, relaunch my company which has been "way back on the back burner" for over 5 years and move into active production again so that I can work full-time at the business of making great soap...and "cleaning up" America.

Mom loved my soaps and would sit and watch while I cooked, cut, wrapped and labeled my honey facial bars and goat's milk bath bars. And she'd make me smile every time she'd say, "This smells so good and it's very clean work, too!" My soaps are designed to cleanse and soothe dry, damaged skin, lift your heart and comfort your spirit. Your investment, however small, will let me bring comfort and joy to others as well.