ICYMI: Bhlen, your go-to trusted source for local guides, has launched its own Kickstarter to help support underrepresented communities. Now is the time to get in at the ground level and show some love to a forum that creates visibility for local businesses.

Elevating Underrepresented Communities
Here at Bhlen, we’re all about elevating underrepresented voices and fostering a sense of community. Many immigrant-owned, LGBTQ+, and women-owned businesses don’t have the tools or budget to promote themselves efficiently. We have the tools to properly connect these businesses, putting them in front of travelers at hotels and seasoned locals alike–at no cost to the business whatsoever. We have the tools to create unique Bhlen links, which use geographical data to deliver real-time results to users based on their location and interests. Check out the one we made for Black-Owned Businesses to get an idea of what we can do. Your funding and support helps us create more guides, reach new cities, and put the spotlight on more of these businesses that deserve it most.

Helping Local Businesses Through the Seasons
Seasonally, some businesses struggle during slow periods. Minority-owned and immigrant-owned businesses are sometimes the hardest hit. That’s why we use certain times of year to highlight and promote businesses, helping drive SEO and visibility for these businesses when they need it most. Our blogs do an excellent job of calling attention to these businesses for timely occasions, like Hispanic Heritage Month. During the winter or other slow periods, web traffic and foot traffic can help keep these businesses afloat. Bhlen helps put these businesses on the map. Your support of our Kickstarter helps fund our blog and the promotion of these guides during these times of year.

Being Inclusive with Low Tech Barriers
Unlike many similar tech startups, our product does not require an app. For that reason, we see ourselves as more inclusive by removing this barrier. Older individuals or those who are not tech natives may feel less comfortable downloading a new app. Many of those in under-served communities prefer a mobile-friendly, app-less solution so they can view a guide without having to download anything. By supporting our Kickstarter, you will help keep our platform running smoothly–and help ensure that it is easily accessible to all.

Elevating Community Events
One of our favorite things about Bhlen is that we elevate local community events and culture in a place as diverse as the DC metro area. There is a wonderful wealth of culture and diversity around us, much of which goes unnoticed. Grassroots gatherings and events often have little visibility from the larger community. We create customized guides for these events to help connect and bring community members together. Users are able to use our platform to become connected to real-time events that are happening around them. Check out the blog posts we created about celebrating Diwali around the DC area and events for World Pride 2025. With your support, we can elevate even more community events, eventually expanding to include events in more cities.

Empowering Others to Share What Matters to Them
At Bhlen, we create digital guides that can be customized for anything: weddings, events, local businesses, you name it. Our digital tools help users share curated lists of places in their own community. Speaking of local communities, check out the blog post we made for Small Business Saturday to celebrate the power of local spending. With your funding, we can take customized community support to the next level.

Back Us Now
At Bhlen, we’d love to have you get on our team at ground floor. Join our Kickstarter today and be a part of the Bhlen revolution!