Updates

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PROJECT UPDATE

78 Tarot

CREATOR

1 day ago

Project Update: A Long Overdue 78 Tarot Update

Hello everyone,

I know it has been three months since my last update, and I’m sorry it has taken me this long to write.

The truth is, things have not moved in the positive direction I had hoped for, but there has been one very important development: I was able to come to an agreement with the IRS on a payment plan, which means they will not be taking the inventory.

That was a huge and necessary step.

Right now, I am still unable to pay the warehouse storage fees, so all of the pallets are in deep storage and I do not currently have access to them for individual inventory requests. Because of this, I have run out of several decks, including Halloween.

The Etsy store is still open, but what it is making right now is not enough to cover the ongoing business expenses. It is overwhelming, to say the least.

However, my husband has come up with a plan to get the inventory out of the warehouse and moved somewhere else where I can actually access it. That is the next major step, and it would make a huge difference.

Time is still a major issue for me. Being a full-time mom makes it hard and stressful to manage all of this, but I am doing my very best. Summer was extremely busy, and now that we are moving into a new season, I am ready to kick back into action and go into problem-solving mode again.

I will keep moving forward.

Right now, I am doing all I can to raise money in the only way I currently have available, which is by selling the decks we do have access to. Once the business expenses are lower than the profit coming in, I can finally begin saving toward the projects that are still in limbo.

I have spent the last two years trying to keep this all afloat, and it has been incredibly challenging. I have also learned a lot.

I know some of you feel I should give up and throw in the towel. I also know some people have said very cruel things to me, and while that has been hard to read, I understand that it comes from feeling hurt, disappointed, or wronged.

I want you to know that through this entire journey, I have done everything I can to keep going. In many ways, it would be easier to give it all up, but I am not doing that.

I respect what we created. I am proud of it. No matter what happens, 78 Tarot has meant something, and it still means something to me.

I do not know exactly what the future holds for 78 Tarot, but I am still trying.

I have also reached out to major publishers and distributors to see if anyone may be interested in purchasing the remaining inventory, but so far I have not heard anything back.

For add-ons, I still need to go through my emails and compile a full list so I can see what inventory is needed once I have access to the warehouse inventory again. Once I have that information, I will contact people directly.

I also want to mention that I am currently unable to log in to Kickstarter, and I have been actively trying to fix this. Many of the accounts and access points were originally connected to my partners, which has made recovering everything more complicated than it should be. This is another reason email is the most reliable way to reach me right now.

I also want to be honest that one of the reasons updates are difficult is because every time I post one, I receive many messages and comments afterward. I do my best to keep up, but it quickly becomes overwhelming, and then people understandably get upset when I don’t respond right away or miss something. I am not ignoring anyone intentionally. It is just a lot for one person to manage.

The best way to reach me is still by email, because comments and comment threads can easily get lost.

I wish I had better news to share. This is hard, and I’m not always sure what else to say other than I am still here, I am still trying, and I am doing everything I can with what I have.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to show patience, kindness, and support.

Kayti

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PROJECT UPDATE

78 Tarot

CREATOR

3 months ago

Project Update: Project Update: Current Status and Next Steps

Hi everyone,

I wanted to give you another update because I believe you deserve to know where things stand.

First, I’m sorry these updates haven’t come more quickly. I didn’t want to come back with more uncertainty, and I felt it was important to have a clearer plan before posting again.

Here is where things are right now:

• I am still working to complete both outstanding productions.
• I need to finish Anniversary before I can move fully into Nautical.
• I am now handling work that used to be handled by two people.
• I am very strapped for time and never expected to be running this completely solo.
• That is not an excuse, but it is the reality I’m working within.

The past several months have been incredibly difficult.

I was audited by both the IRS and the Commonwealth of Virginia for multiple tax years after large Kickstarter deposits triggered an audit. Through that process, I learned that my taxes had not been handled correctly, which resulted in significant back taxes, penalties, and monthly payment plans.

I’m sharing this because it has dramatically changed my cash flow.

Right now:

• Money is being automatically withdrawn each month for those payment plans.
• I no longer have the same funds available to keep everything moving.
• Sales have slowed dramatically.
• Etsy is currently down to around two dozen orders per month.
• Even with heavy discounts, sales are not enough to cover ongoing costs.
• I am still paying storage costs for a large number of decks.
• I am also covering Etsy-related expenses, including fees, shipping issues, and replacing lost packages.

That has left me in a very difficult position. I can’t currently afford to keep paying for storage and fulfillment the way I have been.

Shipping itself has become another hurdle.

• I still need to fund the cost of shipping completed rewards to backers.
• I also need to determine the most cost-effective way to fulfill them internationally.
• Right now, I simply don’t have the cash flow to pay for printing, fulfillment, and shipping all at once.
• That’s why my focus is on reducing overhead and raising the funds needed to complete the project in the right order.

Because of that, I’ve had to completely rethink the plan.

My plan going forward is:

• Liquidate remaining inventory as aggressively as possible.
• Use those funds to pay down storage costs and reduce overhead.
• Finalize exactly how much is still needed to complete Anniversary.
• Move Anniversary into final production once the funds are in place.
• Then move fully into Nautical with a clearer structure and plan.

I’ve also been asked why other creators have been able to finish their projects while mine remain unfinished.

The biggest difference is timing.

• Many projects finished before production and shipping costs rose so dramatically.
• Others launched later and were able to build those higher costs into their pricing or shipping.
• Anniversary and Nautical landed directly in the middle of those changes.
• That made both projects much more expensive to complete than originally planned.

I also know some of you have asked about digital copies and add-ons.

For digital access:

• I am working on creating web versions of the deck and guidebook.
• I can’t provide print-ready files due to artist licensing agreements.
• I do want to give you something you can view and enjoy while I work through the physical production side.

For add-ons:

• I understand why people have asked if add-ons can be shipped separately.
• Unfortunately, it is not as simple as paying postage.
• I would still need boxes, labels, packing material, and other supplies.
• Right now, I do not have the funds to do that at scale.
• I also do not feel right asking anyone to pay additional money for packaging materials.
• I am still trying to work out a realistic solution.

I want to be very clear: I am not asking backers for more money.

I know this has taken far longer than anyone expected, including me. I am extremely upset too. This is something I have been dealing with for over two years, and not being able to finish these projects yet has been one of the hardest things I’ve faced.

But I am still here and I am still working on it.

I have not given up.

Next steps:

• Continue liquidating inventory.
• Continue cutting storage and overhead costs wherever possible.
• Continue working on digital versions of the deck and guidebook.
• Finalize the amount needed to complete Anniversary.
• Move Anniversary forward first.
• Then move fully into Nautical.
• Share another update once I have finalized costs and a production path.

Thank you for your patience, your encouragement, and for continuing to believe in me through an incredibly difficult chapter.

If you have questions, please email me. It is very hard to keep up with both projects at once, but I’ll do my best to get back to you as soon as I can, especially when I’m not covered in children.

Kayti

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PROJECT UPDATE

78 Tarot

CREATOR

4 months ago

Project Update: Project Update: Inventory, Add-ons and next steps

Hello everyone,

I’m sorry for the late update. I didn’t want to post again until I had more movement to share.

We are currently negotiating with my warehouse to figure out how to get the inventory out. The issue is that there are pallets upon pallets of inventory, and I’m not sure yet where we can put it all. My husband and I are working through this together. If we can get this overhead down to a more reasonable cost, I can start saving money again for the projects that are currently in limbo.
I’ve received many emails about add-ons. I’m working on compiling a list and figuring out what shipping will cost. Once I have that information, I can send invoices for those costs.
I’ve also received multiple offers from people who want to help financially. I’m incredibly grateful, but this is something I’m not comfortable accepting right now when I have so little to contribute myself. Until I’m in a better position, I can’t ask that of anyone, even those who are willing to help.
The digital files are almost finished. I should be able to provide those files next week for Anniversary.
The printer we are working with has not gotten back to me since my last email, so I don’t have any new information on that front. The moment I hear from them, I’ll update again.
International warehouses are much more expensive than I can afford right now. My husband, who is far better at math than I am, is helping me figure out the best path forward financially.
I’m completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. I do plan to write back to everyone who has contacted me. I’ve just been trying to get things done while also taking care of my two children, who are nearing the end of the school year, which means I have less time than usual.
It has also been hard for me to keep up with comments, and I’m sorry about that. You can always email me so I don’t lose your message. Comment threads can get very confusing, and email is much easier for me to track.

Thank you again for being so patient. As soon as I have more news, I’ll let you know.

Kayti

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PROJECT UPDATE

78 Tarot

CREATOR

5 months ago

Project Update: Follow up to last update - answering comments

Hey everyone,

I know the comments on updates can get a bit confusing, so I wanted to answer the most common questions here in one place and share where things currently stand.

Right now, I am working toward finalizing the remaining costs needed to complete final printing and shipping, while continuing to fulfill what I can from home.

1. UK Fulfillment Help
I’m incredibly grateful for the offers to help with UK fulfillment. I do want to be transparent that fulfillment is a very large job that requires a lot of space, time, and coordination. The last deck I fulfilled myself (Animal) took about two full weeks of daily work. While UK quantities would be smaller, it’s still something I need to carefully evaluate before committing.

Originally, Trish was planning to handle UK fulfillment, but she is no longer involved with the project, so I’m currently reassessing how best to handle UK shipping.

2. Why other campaigns have been successful
Our campaigns were run before the major rise in production and shipping costs. Many campaigns after that either increased pricing or passed those costs into shipping. We fell in between those shifts, which has made completing production much more challenging.

3. Multiple fulfillment centers
Managing multiple fulfillment centers such as China and the UK isn’t something I can realistically take on right now. I am personally fulfilling orders within the US, and adding international fulfillment centers would significantly increase the workload. As a one-person operation, I have to be mindful of what I can sustainably handle.

4. Add-ons shipping option
If you’d like your add-ons shipped sooner within the US, you’re welcome to email me at [email protected] and I can arrange that. I do want to be transparent that I’m only able to ship these in small batches as Etsy sales come in. Right now, the business is not yet covering its operating expenses, so I have to pace outgoing shipments carefully. As sales pick up, I’ll be able to send more consistently.

5. Printing limitations
We are committed to our current printer, as a significant portion of the project has already been paid. The remaining balance includes final printing and shipping. Moving production to a different printer would significantly increase costs and isn’t a viable option. Once the remaining balance is secured, production will be able to move forward.

6. Digital versions
I will be creating web-quality versions of the deck and guidebook that I can share via Dropbox. Due to contract restrictions, I’m not able to provide print-ready files, but I will make sure you have something accessible to view.

7. Additional charges
I will not be asking backers for additional money. I am committed to finding a way to complete and deliver this project without putting that burden on you.

8. Updates across platforms
I will be updating both BackerKit and Kickstarter backers moving forward. I held off on posting until I had a clear plan in place, rather than sharing updates without meaningful progress. With a path now set for completing Anniversary, I’ll be outlining next steps for Nautical as well.

I also want to acknowledge the reality of what’s happened behind the scenes.

Since starting production in China, there have been multiple unexpected challenges, including losing a deposit to a previous company that disappeared. It has been a series of setbacks that I’ve had to navigate on my own.

At the same time, I’m now fulfilling Etsy orders myself to reduce costs, which helps financially but also limits my available time.

That said, finishing this project is my top priority.

Next Steps

• Finalize exactly how much funding is still needed to complete production and delivery
• Research global shipping warehouse options to find the most cost-effective way to ship internationally
• Create and share digital versions of the deck and book via Dropbox
• Continue reducing overhead including subscriptions, ads, and storage while rebuilding funds through Etsy sales

I am committed to covering shipping costs without asking you to pay more.

I know there have been many delays, and I completely understand the frustration. I’ve fulfilled many projects over the past decade, which is why this situation has been especially difficult for me. I take a lot of pride in my work, and I’m truly sorry for how this has unfolded.

But I’m not giving up. I will see this through.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and your kindness. It truly means more than I can express.

Please also understand that I may not be able to respond to every comment right away. I’m doing my best to balance everything as one person.

Thank you for being here with me.

— Kayti

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PROJECT UPDATE

78 Tarot

CREATOR

6 months ago

Project Update: Project Update and Timeline - 4/3/26

Hi everyone,

First, I want to apologize that this update is later than usual. I chose to wait because I did not want to post without clear and accurate information. With production costs, freight pricing, and import variables continuing to shift, I felt it was important to gather as much clarity as possible before updating you.

The original project funds have now been fully allocated. To complete printing with our current manufacturer in China, we need 6,000 dollars to cover the remaining production balance. After that, we will need to cover freight, import duties, and receiving costs in order to bring the decks into fulfillment.

We did explore moving production to the United States. However, even with reduced domestic shipping, the total production cost was nearly double. Because 17,500 dollars has already been invested into the current manufacturing run, completing production where it stands remains the most financially responsible path forward.

Revenue from remaining inventory sales has not been sufficient to cover both ongoing operational expenses and the additional production costs required to complete this project. As a result, additional fundraising will be necessary in order to move forward.

Because international freight costs continue to fluctuate, I am currently gathering updated quotes before announcing a final fundraising total.

Here is the projected sequence once funding is secured:

1. Pay remaining production balance
2. Printing completion
3. Arrange freight and import
4. Receive inventory into storage
5. Begin fulfillment

To stabilize operations, I have consolidated storage, shifted fulfillment to my home, reduced overhead wherever possible, and allowed one storage unit holding older inventory to go to auction in order to prevent further debt accumulation.

78 Tarot is now being run solely by me. Despite the challenges, I remain committed to completing this project responsibly and transparently.

I will share the confirmed funding plan once freight estimates are finalized and the full amount needed is clear.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Kayti