Nearly $70K raised for ‘off the grid’ couple
RADCLIFF, KY (WAVE) – Efforts to raise funds for a couple fighting to regain custody of their 10 children has topped $70,000.
An ad on YouTube asks investors to help the mother of the children, Nicole Naugler, establish her own pet grooming business in Radcliff. The start-up company that posted the video, Capistan, raised $21,000.
Pace Ellsworth, a family friend of the Nauglers and administrator for Capistan, is one of seven business partners who said they chose to invest in Nicole Naugler because of her reputation as a great groomer.
He said the funds have already been used on renovations to help Nicole Naugler open a dog grooming company called Blessed Little Grooming Company. The said the walls of the business are freshly painted and some furniture is in.
"She has visited the salon multiple times in the past week," said Ellsworth.
He said he has stands by her.
"I believe in her as a businesswoman and I believe in her as a mother," Ellsworth said. "I believe that she does love her children dearly."
Pace says the $21,000 loan was used only for the business. Pace promised investors would get a return in the electronic currency called Bitcoin.
"The fundraising is effectively over since we were not planning on asking for more,"said Ellsworth.
Ellsworth also created a Go Fund Me account to benefit the Nauglers. In less than a week, more than 1,000 people donated over $45,000. That money will be used to build their home, get water, electricity and purchase a 15 passenger van and laptops for the Naugler's 10 children, according to the website.
"She's building a good business so she can take care of her family," said Ellsworth.
Back at the shop a sign has not been hung, but Ellsworth said they expect to open in about a week.
Ellsworth said the Nauglers are waiting for the bank to process the Go Fund Me money before they are allowed to access the funds.
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