Success stories

Bare Life, Promoting Good Health

Ali Lazowski, CEO, and founder of Bare Life was a senior in college at John Hopkins University when she became more conscious of her health and everything that was not right with it. Weight gain and...

PPP ‘Instrumental’ for Montpelier Distillery

When Covid-19 started to become a full-blown pandemic in the United States in mid-March, one of the darkest outlooks was how America’s small business sector would fare. Main Street staples such as...

Financial Therapy in the Time of Need

Rhonda Allen started as a Marketing Director for a Physical Therapist, when one day she was presented with an opportunity that completely changed the trajectory of her career. Because of her hard work...

Former Air Force Pilot Hits A Home Run With Play It Again Sports Franchise in Omaha

Rich Messina, owner of Omaha’s Play It Again Sports, didn’t start out thinking being a business owner would be part of his future after he retired from the military. He found, however, after attending...

Executive Transportation Drives through Crisis with SBA-backed Programs

Executive Transportation provides premium business class limousine and luxury car services to customers across the country. It also manages holiday tours, weddings, etc. Owner Gus Ortis explained that...

PPP Funding Paired with SBA Emerging Leader Experience Helps Air Quality Engineering, Inc. Pivot to Meet Navy Needs

Started in 1973 by the parents of Heidi Oas under the name SmokeMaster, Air Quality Engineering has a long history of focusing on the design, manufacture, and sale of air cleaners. Over the years...

Detroit Chiropractor Provides Healing and Hope to Community During Pandemic, Through PPP Loan

Some people are born with a keen sense of purpose--a passion to heal and help their communities. Dr. Cecil Forbes is one of those people. A highly respected and established community leader in Detroit...

How Customers, Contacts and Caring Can Build a Paragon Force

In the early 2000s, Sherri Davis owned a small restaurant just off Crane Naval Station in Bloomfield, Indiana. It was a popular place, so she knew everyone on and off base and what they did for a...