It’s an open secret that many business owners start their business first, and figure out their financials later. Eventually, these business owners figure out that they need to find their financial footing if they’re going to succeed – which is exactly what happened to Hakim Hampton, owner of H & M Janitorial. “I had my…
With assistance from Access Plus Capital, Bakersfield’s Brooke Bratcher recently opened Bratcher Home & Design – a brand-new interior design studio.
Since 1952 Building Maintenance Services Inc. (BMS) has provided commercial cleaning and janitorial services in the Central Valley and Southern California. With business at a standstill, the mother-daughter team, Anna Fernandez and Nellie Castaneda, were looking for financial support to keep their family business going strong. Although BMS had the knowledge and expertise to perform…
After 30 years of working in the restaurant business, Gilbert Ruiz wanted to try something new. And so, along with his wife Lourdes, he set out to follow his passion. “Boxing has always been my passion,” said Gilbert. “I was a competitor when I was a kid; I trained my sons, both of whom were…
City Market owner Jose Michel loves the freedom and community connection he’s gained from starting his own business – and becoming his own boss. “I like running the grocery store a lot, because I’ve grown a lot,” said Jose. “And I like to be in touch with the community and the neighboring towns.” But when…
Mad Illustrators owner Myrick Wilson was born into entrepreneurship. So when he sought to expand his successful Fresno-based screen printing business, Myrick knew to look for the best funding source – and financial partner – that he could find. “On top of Access Plus being very nurturing, and helping you and doing whatever is necessary…
Treasurer John Chiang helped a Fresno business expand by facilitating a loan valued at $150,000 through the Treasurer’s Collateral Support Program, which encourages banks and other financial institutions to lend to small businesses that would otherwise have difficulty obtaining financing. The loan benefitted Fresno’s Belmont Radiator Shop, which repairs radiators and semi-trucks. The loan was…
This story begins in a Hmong refugee camp in Thailand – a small parcel of land littered with makeshift homes and buildings. These impromptu villages are built to serve one purpose: provide the most basic human needs for the shortest amount of time. However, some refugees have been at these camps since 1975 and have…
A protein drink that tastes like a coffee house gourmet coffee drink? It sounds like an active person’s dream come true! But the Greg and Beth Smith’s personal dream of expanding the product line with new flavors was halted when our economic environment took a turn for the worse; banks were leery of lending, let…
Al and Christy Kroell are the recipients of the national Sargent Shriver Achievement “Veterans Serving America” Award. They will receive the award in person at the annual National Community Action Partnership conference in Chicago. The video, featuring the Kroell’s and Fresno EOC/CDFI can be viewed here: Al and Christy Kroell had been serving in the…