Maybe this is a small nit, but in the video I hear "this is a profitable business" yet all the data shared here on WeFunder would imply otherwise. Can you please clarify?

Jeffrey. Not a small nit at all. I'm glad you asked the question and am happy to clarify. What you're referring to, for the benefit of others, is the NET Loss we showed in 2023 and 2024. Our business model has been proven profitable, but our last two years has not been due to some growing pains and calibration periods. We are on track for profitability this year and beyond again. 2021 and 2022 were profitable years - with 9% and 8% NET Profit (13% and 14% EBITDA). In 2023 our loss was due to ...

Hi Jared, I’m Zac Stahlhut with D3VC. We specialize in investment crowdfunding and really like what you’re building. Could you share how your current cash flow and leasing arrangements support expansion and what additional capital might be needed as you grow? We’re also curiou...

Hi Zac, Thanks so much for your interest and thoughtful questions. I’m happy to provide more detail on our expansion plans and financial outlook. I've answered each of your questions below. It appears that Wefunder turns this response into a long block of text so feel free to reach out to me at Jared at Tenderlovingempire.com if its too difficult to read and I can send you a cleaner version. Could you share how your current cash flow and leasing arrangements support expansion and what additio...

good mission. I invested in another company at airports, build out is crazy expensive. what I am wondering about is I see where you said you made 2 million in revenue from I believe the SeaTac airport. have you been able to get your cogs and operating expenses down in. those 2...

Thank you for your question. I think investments in companies doing business at airports are a good idea because it is very lucrative. Across our airport locations, we have been able to realize a 30% profitability. Our growth strategy from here is simply based on 4-wall economics -- adding more locations that have the same contribution rate. We will be able to open two more airport locations with minimal corporate expenses and project to have a $1-$1.5 million EBITDA once we do. Let me know i...

Hi there - just want to make sure I understand your model. Is the idea that you are showcasing + selling the products of other artists/makers, and you give them a % of the revenue from those sales (if so, what is that %)? Or do you purchase items wholesale from makers and mark...

Thank you for your question Teddy. Roughly 70% of our revenue comes from selling products made by other artists & makers. Our relationship with them works like traditional retail. We either purchase their products on wholesale and mark them up or sell them on consignment. The other 30% of our sales come from our own line of products. These products have a larger margin and are our secret sauce. Most boutique shops with a small-batch, local product mix like ours have trouble scaling, but o...

we for sure can chat. i am wondering what stops anybody from doing what you do? what is your competitive advantage? also, the customers you have now how are they finding out about you? how long does it take to get eat location up and running? what is the biggest thing you thin...

John - Thank you for your continued interest in Tender Loving Empire. Our competitive advantage is trifold - 1) We've been doing this for 18 years and have the historical knowledge base on what works for this model, what doesn't, what our customers want, etc. 2) 30% of our sales come from our own line of products - again based on data analysis over time. 3) Our record label is a differentiator. No other retail brand has a soundtrack or the ability to be a part of people's lives in the meaning...

Tender Loving Empire Updates, Team, and Funding Progress | Wefunder, Home of the Community Round

TLE operates 7 stores - in the PNW with revenue of $7.8m in 2024 at a 62% gross margin

TLE has grown 13X in the last 10 years, adding $3 million in revenue since the pandemic.

Cracked the code of scaling handmade retail via our house brand products which generate a 75% margin

Long term leases for two stores at the Portland airport and one at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport.

We make a meaningful impact on the 500+ makers we represent, generating $20m+ for them since 2007.

We are an evergreen, cash-flowing, proven concept with an experienced team. No pie in the sky here.

Tender Loving Empire

Scalable Retail with a Positive Community Impact

$751,200

Tender Loving Empire

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