by JOHN LANGELER / KING 5 News
Bio | Email | Follow: @jlangelerKING5 KING5.com
Posted on October 14, 2013 at 10:54 PM
Updated today at 11:12 PM
SEATTLE -- Tami Cagle cannot wait to take her small business out of her Ballard home and onto the internet. Tammie Cagle, her sister-in-law, is eager to start taking some of the profits from that business and donate them to a local non-profit that helps victims of human trafficking.
Both aspirations are now being held up by the federal government shutdown.
"Yeah, it sucks," said Tami, "I don't even work for the government, but I still don't get to start my business."
The Cagle's situation is similar to many small business owners dependent on federally-backed loans. With most of the Small Business Administration on furlough, those loans cannot be approved.
Tami started her company "Sovereign Strong" two years ago. Her plan is to market clothes to women in their late-30's and early 40's, then dedicate 15 percent of the profits to World Concern, a charity that helps victims of human trafficking.
"These are people who are being taken advantage of," said Tammie, who joined her sister-in-law in the business, "They're being decieved and being hurt."
"[Their stories] are something I cannot unlearn," said Tami, "It became very close to my heart."
To compensate for the lack of a federal loan, Tami has put nearly $30,000 of her own money into the project. She hopes to get a portion of her clothing line online by Thanksgiving, in time for the holiday shopping season.
But she acknowledged if the government shutdown drags on, that may not be possible.
"I don't know anybody who is loving the government shutdown," said Tammie.
