Breaking Down Financial Barriers: ClimbFund's Impact on Small Business Growth

Episode 28: Breaking Down Financial Barriers: ClimbFund's Impact on Small Business Growth Episode Summary: This episode features a conversation with Keonta Ramsey, Director of Growth for ClimbFund, a non-profit community lender. ClimbFund is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs access capital when traditional banks decline their applications. They are a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on serving underserved communities, including women-owned, veteran-owned, rurally-based, and BIPOC-owned businesses. Beyond providing funding, ClimbFund offers extensive free technical assistance and wraparound services, such as marketing, accounting, HR, and general business consulting. The discussion highlights the critical role non-profits play in fostering small business growth and building inclusive communities. Episode Highlights: ClimbFund functions as a CDFI, providing funding to small businesses that are turned down by traditional banks, without taking deposits. The organization's mission is to serve underserved groups like women, veterans, rural businesses, and BIPOC communities. ClimbFund's "secret sauce" is its free technical assistance, which includes support for marketing, accounting, QuickBooks, and HR, ensuring client success beyond just providing a loan. They offer flexibility with loan repayments, understanding that "life happens" and businesses experience ebbs and flows. ClimbFund provides industry-specific and general business consulting through staff and contractors, all at no cost to clients. Clients become part of the "PlanFund Collaborative," a private Facebook group for sharing ideas and support, fostering a strong community. ClimbFund serves the entire state of South Carolina, with five community development loan officers strategically located to be within 90 minutes of clients. A success story shared is Verde, a restaurant that grew from one location to multiple, including a contract with Charleston International Airport, after receiving funding from ClimbFund. Keonta advises aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women and minorities, to "just start" and utilize available resources like ClimbFund's free workshops and partnerships with organizations like SCORE. Final Takeaway: ClimbFund provides vital financial access and comprehensive, free support to entrepreneurs, particularly those overlooked by traditional banks. Their commitment goes beyond funding, offering essential technical assistance and fostering a supportive community, which are critical for the sustainable growth and success of small businesses in South Carolina. Call to Action: - Share this podcast episode on social media - Leave a 5-star review on your podcast platform - Sign up for the Women of Fort Mill podcast newsletter - Follow the podcast on Instagram @womenoffortmill - Tag the hosts and share what inspired you from this episode - To learn more about ClimbFund and their services, visit ClimbFund.org. Explore their client success stories, resources tab, and event schedule, including their free small business loan application workshops. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram under "ClimbFund". Support the show Let's connect Follow Women of Fort Mill Podcast on Instagram: @womenoffortmill Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen. Message us with your feedback and suggestions for future episodes. Join our email list for updates and event information.