Where can I go for monetary help to start entertaining for the elderly?

Question

To be brief, before the hurricane hit New Orleans I used to go to the retirement homes and entertain for the elderly. I lost all my equipment and am now leaving near Memphis and am trying to go back into that. The residents love the variety of songs I do and I enjoy entertaining them. Rather do that than to sing in a club and the gratification is unbeatable. I havecontacted a few different properties, sent them a demo and all are interested. The job I have is a dead end and barely making ends meet and I work all weekends and nights. Once I can get started I will have more and more properties to entertain for and the locations are endless and could easily turn into a business. A business that not only brings joy to myself, but to those elders that crave some happiness. I do all the songs they rememeber and love. The problem I'm having is money (who isn't?) to get the equipment I would need and to invest in promos. It all would be under $2000, but I'm not able at this time to take on a loan or family thats able to help, we've all started over since the storm. I don't have anything to sell and my hands are basically tied.

My question is, would anyone know where to go to get an investor for such a venture? Are there "personal" investors or someone who feels for what I'm trying to do and would be willing to offer any kind of help?

Thanks for the time and any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

See if you can get a local business such as a music store to partner with you. They can front you the money and you can pay them back over time. Meanwhile, you can advertise them on your equipment.

Answer 2

I would try organizations  like local Rotary, Lions, Moose, Eagles,American Legion and many may others to see if they will give you some money to get started. I would try local Police departments especially if they have an FOP unit or PBA unit or whatever their Union is. I used to do fun raisers for our FOP Lodge but back them, phone solicitation was still legal. We had 50-60's shows for folks.

I am almost certain there would be folks in Barbershop Quartets, Sing-a-longs and other groups that would help out. Heck even the Boy scouts got to sing Xmas carols at nursing homes( used to anyhow).

I used to think about just going to nursing homes and giving the men a hot towel and hot lather shave. These would be for guys my dads age. Being clean shaven with a hot shave was something they liked and the cost is minimal. I'd go the brush and mug soap way  as well as the Bay Rum or Witch-hazel after-shave if they wanted. Did this for my father-in law for several years before he passed. Now I am getting close to that age and if I ever totally retire, I'd still like to do that.

Answer 3

check out cruise ships entertainment...g.l.

Answer 4

Present your dilemma to the Chamber of Commerce.  There may be business men who would donate as a tax write off and benefit would be for everyone.  Best of luck