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Love & Money ($1m) is in the Air!
TL;DR: Loveliest gift guide, Bumble & $1mm in funding for small businesses
Laura Texidor
February 08, 2025
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re sending extra love to the incredible small business owners in our community. 💌 Whether you’re treating yourself, surprising a friend, or casually forwarding this to your significant other (we see you 😉), we’ve handpicked a few amazing women-owned businesses with the perfect gifts. 🔗 Check out the full list on Instagram! Because nothing says love like supporting small businesses and spreading joy. 💕
And let’s not forget Valentine’s Day is all about showing love, but that doesn’t mean breaking the bank. Here’s how to make it meaningful and budget-friendly:
💖 Gift with purpose. The best gifts align with what you and the recipient truly value. Whether that’s concert tickets over chocolates or a DIY surprise instead of a store-bought item, spend on what brings joy not just what’s expected.
💖 Ditch the pressure to go big. Grand gestures might get all the attention (looking at you, thousand yellow daisies 🌼), but meaningful gifts don’t have to be extravagant. A heartfelt note or a small, thoughtful item can mean just as much—if not more.
💖 Set expectations early. If you’re budgeting or saving, talk about gifts ahead of time. A simple “Hey, let’s do homemade gifts this year” keeps things stress-free and ensures no one feels awkward.
💖 Practical & personal always win. A bath bomb for the friend who loves long soaks, a framed photo of a favorite memory, or a handwritten note—it’s the small, thoughtful things that often get cherished the most.
💖 Consider a shared gift. Instead of exchanging gifts, pool funds for something you’ll both enjoy—whether it’s a fun experience, a cozy date night, or even a gorgeous new set of plates (yes, really). This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate love in a way that feels good—for your people and your wallet. 💕
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🏦 Finance Fix
Love & Taxes
Love & Taxes When you're running a business, love comes with some interesting tax implications. Here’s how to make Cupid (and the IRS) work for you this Valentine’s season:
✅ Hire Your Spouse: Deduct travel expenses, double your home office deductions, and max out retirement contributions when your partner officially joins the team.
✅ Strategic Gifting: Gifts to your spouse are tax-free think stocks, property, or part of your business.
✅ Couples That Plan Together, Save Together: Filing jointly? You might land in a lower tax bracket and boost your retirement savings with a spousal IRA.
💬 For other questions on taxes and deductibles, talk with Vestie! she’s got your back.
🎯 Grants for solopreneurs and small businesses
👩🏿 $10,000 for Black Women Founders
Akina Connect pitch competition for Texas founders part of the Money Moves Summit.📅 Apply here by March 14th, 2025
👩🏾 $25,000 for women entrepreneurs
EmpowerHER Grant offers $25,000 for women founders aged 22+ with businesses making a social impact.
📅 Apply here by February 16, 2025
👩🏽 $500,000 for early stage companies
Y Combinator offers $500,000 for early-stage companies, as early as an idea.
📅 Apply here by February 11, 2025
🤖 $500K-$2M for Generative AI Companies
Google Org offers $500K to $2M for organizations using generative AI to unlock potential for everyone.
📅 Apply here by February 10, 2025
💡 Need funding tailored to your biz? Just ask our trusty chatbot Vestie!
🗞️ Making Headlines
How Bumble Became More Than Just an App
As much as the romantic in me wants to believe love is just a feeling, the entrepreneur in me knows it’s also a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Whitney Wolfe Herd understood this better than anyone.
At 31, she became the youngest woman to take a company public. She didn’t just build a dating app, she built a movement. And if that’s not an entrepreneurial love story, I don’t know what is.
💛 She Made the First Move. Tinder was a mess. So she built Bumble where women had to start the conversation. It wasn’t just a feature; it was a statement.
💛 She Turned Branding Into a Power Move. Bumble wasn’t selling swipes. It was selling confidence, safety, and control. The bright yellow, the messaging it all made one thing clear: this app was different.
💛 She Didn’t Stop at Dating. Once she had trust, she expanded. Bumble BFF. Bumble Bizz. Because when people believe in your brand, they’ll follow you anywhere.
Do you have questions? Just ask Vestie, your financial bestie! 🌟
In Abundance,
Joyce and Laura
Disclaimer: The content provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, or professional advice. Investrio does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional regarding your specific financial or business needs. Investrio is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this newsletter. Any third-party links are for convenience and do not imply endorsement.
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