SUFFERING IN SILENCE

Jess Taylor's Story: A Fight for Light in the Face of Darkness

My name is Jess Taylor, and I'm the owner of Bua Salon. For the past six months, I've been living a nightmare. It started with public infidelity gaslighting and betrayal, wounds that cut deep, but what followed was a calculated campaign of sabotage designed to physically hurt me utterly destroy my reputation business livelihood and my life.

Someone – driven by what I can only describe as drunk with power, mean girl tactics, bullying, jealousy, and the unjustifiable belief that they deserved to have and had earned the right to steal my business, ruin my reputation, and destroy my livelihood – while weaponizing every everything they could against me. They initiated a public smear campaign on social media, twisting truths and spreading lies to turn my clients, friends, and professional peers against me. They hacked into my systems, stealing valuable client lists and sabotaging my operations. They even impersonated me, attempting to shut down my store and make it impossible for me to conduct business. They forwarded my calls, telling clients I was out of business. Even going so far as to contact my sexual abusers family from my past, in order to shame and get "dirt" on me. Who sought to professionally embarrass me at every turn, sending videos of my ex's to my professional peers and friend groups. The relentless attacks prevented me from being able to operate normally people didn't even want to interview and it forced me to make a hard decision to close my salon doors, a devastating blow to my livelihood and demolishing my last 10 years of hard work and any sense of security.

That was only the beginning. The financial repercussions have been catastrophic. After having a 800+ credit score and all my bills on auto pay the last 10 years. I find myself with past due & shut off notices. Im in debt consolidation so I have no credit cards beyond broke Im robbing Peter to pay Paul with every bill. Because she staged a walk out and I was left with the overhead SBA startup costs and supplies from a brand new salon, I'm now saddled with over $450,000+ in debt, a crushing weight that grows heavier every day. Every bill feels like a mountain, and even basic necessities are a struggle. The disconnection notice from PSEG Long Island, with its stark warning of service termination for a $1,136.23 overdue balance (account number clearly visible on the notice: [redacted for privacy]), is a constant source of anxiety. The thought of losing power, plunging my home into darkness, is terrifying. It's not just about comfort; it's about safety, the ability to prepare food, and the simple dignity of a warm shower, as well as making sure my pets don't freeze in the 34-degree weather.

The attacks haven't just impacted my business and finances; they've taken a devastating toll on my health. The constant stress, anxiety, and fear have manifested in debilitating physical symptoms. My hands go numb and swell, and some days, the weight of it all makes it impossible to leave my bed. The emotional scars run deep, leaving me feeling vulnerable and afraid.

To compound matters, I recently had to turn in my car lease, leaving me without transportation. My credit is wrecked and I'm currently in debt consolidation, so I can't get a new lease or finance a car. Getting to appointments, running errands, and simply managing daily life has become an enormous challenge. I'm living month to month, barely scraping by, and the crushing debt makes it impossible to catch my breath or have less anxiety so that my health issues get better so that I can save money or plan for the future.

I have no family to turn to for support. I'm facing this crisis alone, and the weight of it all is almost unbearable. I hate asking for help. I've always been fiercely independent, but I've reached a point where I have no choice. I'm not asking for charity; I'm asking for a helping hand, a chance to get back on my feet, and to fight back against the injustice that has been inflicted upon me. I want to rebuild Bua Salon, not just as a business, but as a symbol of resilience and strength. I want to heal from the emotional wounds and reclaim my life. I want to move out of my current house, a place filled with painful memories, but I can't even contemplate that with the mountain of debt and the constant fear of falling further behind.

Please, if you can, donate to my cause. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. It will help me pay urgent bills like the overdue power bill, provide a little breathing room so that I can focus on my health, and give me the means to fight back against the bullying and injustice that have brought me to this point. I'm not asking for a handout; I'm asking for a hand up, a chance to stabilize, to heal, and to reclaim my future. I'm asking for the opportunity to turn the page on this dark chapter and write a new story, one filled with hope, resilience, and the unwavering belief that even in the face of adversity, light can prevail.