First of all, congratulations on your journey to become a commercial baker! I understand that you need to raise funds for equipment and have already identified the amount and specific equipment needed.
My approach to helping you raise these funds would involve looking at all of your available options. This includes grants, loans, crowdfunding, and personal investments.
We can start by researching grants first, as you have already mentioned your unique background and qualifications. We can look for grants that are targeted at women-owned businesses, seniors, single mothers, and those that are grassroots-driven. We can also look for grants that are specifically for the food industry and equipment purchases.
We can then look at other options such as loans and crowdfunding. We can research different lenders and crowdfunding platforms to see which will best fit your needs.
Lastly, we can explore personal investments. This could include family and friends, angel investors, or even venture capitalists.
By exploring all of the available options, we can determine the best strategy for you to raise the necessary funds to purchase the equipment you need. I am confident that we can find the right approach to help you reach your goal.