Category: Borrower Stories
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Meet Jamar Kirk, The Entrepreneurial Life Coach Breaking The Cycle Of Poverty In His Community
Jamar Kirk didn’t have to think too hard about what to name his new business, which provides consulting, coaching, mentoring, and resources to often marginalized and at-risk demographics of his community — a community that struggles with violence, drug use, and a 50 percent high school attrition rate for minority students. After all, that’s just…
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Meet Rebecca Biesenbach, The Ice Cream-Loving Entrepreneur Behind Grandma B’s Sweet Treats
If there’s one thing that Rebecca Biesenbach loves, it’s Blue Bell’s old-fashioned ice cream. And it’s not just the company’s 66 unique flavors and deep Texas roots that she appreciates: Rebecca loves how Blue Bell’s ice cream brings people together. That’s what led her to open her own ice cream shop in Rockport, Texas, in…
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Linda Newman, Dog Sled Musher and Off-the-Grid Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur Linda Newman didn’t technically answer the call of the wild when she opened up Points Unknown, an off-the-grid homestead and sled dog-based adventure company, but she did follow her passion. After 23 years as a real estate appraiser outside of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St.Paul), Newman sold everything, cashed in her 401(k), and moved to…
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Jamine Moton – The Former Track Star Racing To Revolutionize The Security Industry
Jamine Moton has been protecting people for as long as she can remember. In high school, she was a “bullies bully,” using her imposing size and athletic prowess to stick up for students who couldn’t defend themselves. It was that same size and prowess that carried her to Clemson on track and basketball scholarships. By…
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Meet Donica Johns, Inventive Mother and Entrepreneur
Donica Johns, a New Orleans native, has fond memories of going to Belladonna Day Spa with her mother when she was younger. Looking back, she never thought she would go on to create a line of skincare products let alone create a line of skincare products that would be sold on Belladonna’s shelves, but today,…
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Meet Clara Richardson-Olguin, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Flooring Enthusiast
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Clara Olguin was passionate about many things: music, dance, theatre, and justice. She even has a law degree from the Dominican Republic and a bachelor in Music Management/Voice from Georgia State. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that she became passionate about floors. And not just dance floors.…
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Meet Dr. Jeremy Busch, Navy Veteran, Podiatrist, and CDC Loan Recipient
Growing up, Jeremy Busch never thought about becoming a podiatrist. According to him, it was the last thing on his list. The sight of blood — in real life, in movies, or on television — made him squeamish, and besides, his passion was engineering, not healthcare. Then September 11th happened. In 2001, Busch was a…
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Food-Lish-Us – Cyndy & Dennis Scott and their family-run food…bus
Food-Lish-Us: A food…bus? At any one of the community events around Denver, Colorado, there is bound to be a collection of food trucks. Nothing adds to the festivity quite like a dozen boxy vehicles, each emitting a steady stream of delicious food and mouthwatering aromas into the air. In any given congregation of food trucks,…
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Jeremy Priest – Knotty Ties – Made In The USA, With Purpose
Ties that fit all A tie can say a lot about its wearer. The first ties marked out the court members of Louis XIII, a French king who had admired the neck accessories of the Croatian mercenaries and adapted them as mandatory attire for royal gatherings. The Eveolution of The Necktie In the following 300…
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Yahaira Caraballo – Nail Glam Studio – Sisters Find Success in the South Bronx
Perseverance Breeds Success It’s October 1st, 2013, opening day for Nail Glam Studio and Yahaira Caraballo is nervous. After months of grueling effort, her south Bronx-based nail salon is finally ready and open to the public. The only problem? The public didn’t come. Not on the first day, at least. Like everything that brought her…