A few years ago, I was just a lender on Kiva
I would scroll, read someone’s story, and lend $25 here and there. What I loved most was that when I got paid back, I could lend that SAME money again. It wasn’t a one-time gift. It kept moving, supporting real people over and over again. That experience completely shifted how I saw donating money to global entrepreneurs. It wasn’t just about how much I wanted to donate financially. It was about circulation and sustainable impact. Then something clicked. I realized I could be on the other side of this, too, so I became a borrower. Kiva isn’t a typical loan. It’s crowdfunding, but for a loan. Real people lend small amounts until your full goal is funded. In the U.S., it’s 0 percent interest, no fees, and no traditional gatekeeping. But what surprised me most wasn’t even the money. It was how it changed me. I had to clearly share what I was building, tell my story, and invite people in. That process alone made me a stronger business owner. Now I’m in a new season. I’m scaling and going for my second loan. Not because I’m stuck, but because I understand the power of this model and the money needed to build a business and then scale it! I’ve now experienced all three sides. Lender, borrower, and now scaling with it. And I can say this clearly, this is one of the most human ways I’ve ever seen money work. ❤️ If you’ve ever thought you just need a little boost to get something going, or you want your money to actually help someone in a real way, this is worth looking into. If you’ve used Kiva before, I’d love to hear your experience. Or ask me anything below if you haven't. PS - I will let you know when my loan is live so you can support if you feel so inclined! No pressure at all!