Both before and after receiving a business loan from Access Plus Capital, you’ll likely work closely with Joi Eubanks. While Joi’s job title is “technically” Technical Assistance Specialist, she’s actually responsible for a lot of the coaching, guidance, and financial analysis that we provide small business owners. (Joi is also a skilled trumpet player and a former WWF wrestler, but those two things don’t come up so much in her day-to-day.)
Recently, we asked Joi to share a little about herself, her job, and why she loves helping small business owners achieve their goals – so you can get to know one of the people most responsible for our clients’ post-loan success.
Joi, tell me a little bit about your background. What did you do before you became part of the Access Plus Capital team?
Great question! I’ve been a staple in the Central Valley’s small business world for over 15 years. For 10 years, I was the Program Coordinator for Central California Small Business Development Center. While I was there, I learned the ins and outs of entrepreneurship, as well as what causes businesses to succeed and fail.
I was also the Regional Business Development Manager for the Valley Economic Development Center, which is one of the country’s largest CDFIs. And most recently before I came to Access Plus Capital, I was the Senior Business Development Banker for Tri Counties Bank. That position provided me with a lot of conventional and retail financial and banking knowledge, from a corporate point of view.
So how would you describe your position at Access Plus Capital?
While my title is Technical Assistance Specialist, I personally think my role is a lot more tactical. Those adjectives (“technical” and “tactical”) might sound similar, but my particular skill set (technical) is used to maneuver a business (tactically) toward a desired end. So maybe my title should be Small Business Tactics Expert!
Essentially, I’m the go-to person for post- and pre-loan assistance for our borrowers. My job starts before the client even applies for a loan; I’m responsible for getting them “loan ready.” And then, I also work with them on the other side, after their loan has been funded.
It’s my job to make sure their business is on the right track, and on a good trajectory for paying back their loan, refinancing, and eventually, seeking additional funds. So I do a lot of one-on-one business consulting, as well as analyzing clients’ financials.
What is your favorite part of working with business owners?
My greatest satisfaction and joy comes when a business owner or entrepreneur’s goals are met. Whether that’s securing a loan so they can start a business no one else believed in, expanding an existing business, or getting their payoff statement from us and saying, “Joi, I did it. Thank you for believing in me!”
What’s the latest project you worked on? What was unique about it?
My latest project was working on our D.R.I.V.E. initiative, and building the blueprint for a loan fund that is totally geared toward community reinvestment, financial synergy, and closing the wealth gap – which is unprecedented in Fresno.
What are some of your outside-of-work hobbies?
It depends on the season! When I’m not hanging with my 13-year-old son, during the summer you can find me on the lake with my speedboat. During the fall and spring, I’m riding my Yamaha WR250 dirt bike, and during the winter, I’m shredding powder on my snowboard. I’m all outdoors, all the time.
Want to become one of the many business owners that Joi has coached toward success? Click here to learn more about Access Plus Capital’s small business loan programs.