CASE STUDY: Impact Learning Center (FL)
INTRODUCTION
Ask any parent with little ones and the answer is largely the same: children grow fast. Shoes become too tight. Shirts get too snug. Pants won’t button. And socks? Socks are a lost cause as soon as they learn how to take them off. Many days, you’re just trying to keep up with how fast they continue to grow.
The same can happen for small businesses as well.
THE NEED FOR AN SBA LOAN
Founded by the Postell family in 2014, Impact Learning Center (ILC) was developed to “provide a loving, supportive, safe and educational environment for families who need care for their children” in the Jacksonville, Florida community.
From infants and toddlers to pre-kindergarten readiness, ILC did their homework and created a list of criteria needed to build the kind of childcare center where they would send their own kids. They implemented established curriculum systems, employed experienced Child Development Associates, and served healthy snacks.
Needless to say, their planning, hard work, and attention to detail paid off!
With two locations thriving, they came to Stone Bank in 2019 to secure an SBA 7(a) loan to build a third location in Jacksonville. Partnering with Stone Bank SBA Division President Vinny Muratore and his team of Stone Bank lending professionals, they were able to quickly secure a government-guaranteed 7(a) loan through the Small Business Administration.
One year later, word about the quality care provided at ILC had spread throughout the Jacksonville community. The demand was there, ILC just needed help making the jump to a fourth location.
THE STONE BANK SBA PLAN
The 7A loan program is the cornerstone of the Small Business Administration’s mission to provide financial assistance to small businesses in the United States. ILC returned to Stone Bank in early 2020 to apply for a second 7(a) loan to cover the expenses associated with a new location.
7(a) loans are intended to cover a range of needs including working capital, equipment, real estate, renovations, debt refinancing among other applications. Given their needs for expansion, the program was a perfect fit for ILC.
ILC requested a 25-year term for the loan. To further prove they had “skin in the game,” ILC also provided a 10% equity injection.
THE RESULTS
Success! Stone Bank was able to assist Impact Learning Center in securing $1,257,000 through the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) lending program.
With this funding in hand, ILC used the loan to purchase real estate, renovations, playground equipment, furniture, fixtures, and cover additional closing costs associated with their newest location.
The SBA loan process meant that ILC was able to secure 90% financing for their expansion. By working with Stone Bank, they had a team of lending professionals who were focused on smoothly facilitating the application process with approval in mind.
Is expansion or growth in your future?
Curious to see what a Stone Bank Boulder Banker can do for your small business?
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