We recently connected with Ashley Griffice and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley , thanks for joining us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

110% I would have started it sooner. I started Be Kind Birmingham in October of 2021. I had been working at the family printing business since 2011 and although I love working there, I just wanted more. Had a crazy idea to buy a school bus and convert it to a mobile store for the homeless and low income families in Birmingham, Alabama…and so that’s what I did. Fast forward a year and I can truly say I am happy I had a family friend give me the push and convince me it wasn’t as crazy as it sounded and told me I should go for it. Do I wish I had started it sooner? Absolutely, because although we are offering assistance to those in need, those in need have helped me more than we have them.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Be Kind Birmingham is a mobile free store located on a school bus.

Our mission is to go out to the communities in the greater Birmingham area and provide necessities to those in need who may not have the transportation to access brick and mortar organizations.

Our vision is to fill the gap by providing them with a mobile free store to shop for any necessities they may lack. We seek to care for others in a non-judgmental environment by providing clean, new clothing and other essentials with an open heart so that others may see that we care.

Everything is given free of charge to any individual or family regardless of economic status. All goods will be distributed throughout the year on a daily basis. We are a non-profit organization supported by the generosity of businesses, service organizations and community members.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Whew, I sometimes get an idea and jump before having other important things in place, like funding. Ha ha. I have funded everything out of my savings account up until this point. We filed for our 501c3, so hopefully soon we will have that status and we can apply for grants. We have done a few fund raisers: silent auction, shirts, raffles, etc.; and we have had some amazing support from some local corporations with non-monetary donations that has helped us tremendously. For example, Cintas Corporation, Bessemer branch, donates workpants to us monthly. We pass these out to other organizations that have clothes closets and we give them out when we partner with Showers of Love Project, a mobile shower trailer that services Birmingham’s homeless. Our homeless neighbors will get to take a shower and then a fresh set of clothes, underwear, socks and any other necessities they may need from the bus. The Walking Company and Big Dog Sportswear are two more companies that have gone above and beyond in donating sweatshirts, t-shirts, foot care, shoes and so many other amazing things. Birmingham OBGYN also donated some diaper bags and formula for our single parents we assist, Mills Pharmacy is another that has made huge donations in items. So although I am funding, it is because of selfless companies like those that is making it possible to keep providing items free of charge to those in need. And the number one funder though, is my Lord and Savior. Ask and you shall receive. He has made a way every single time. All praise goes to Him.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Learning of new homeless camps and low income housing in the city. We try to reach all sides of Birmingham since we are mobile. I just want Be Kind Birmingham to be the helping hand someone may need while they are down on their luck. I had a mom text me after we were able to provide some clothes for her baby and shoes for her mom, “Thanks to you guys in providing the clothing and shoes, I can now spend that money on gas, food or another need.” And that’s what we aim to do. No one should have to choose between clothes or food. Let us provide one, so you have less to worry with. Spend that extra shift you would have picked up to cover the expense, with your child. Everyone needs a little help every now and then and we just hope we can be that helping hand while spreading love around the magic city.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bekindbirmingham.org
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeKindBirmingham/
• Other: Venmo – @BeKindBHM Cashapp – $BeKindBHM

Image Credits
Matt Hogue