Portfolio Partner Profile
Colorado Enterprise Fund
Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a nonprofit CDFI whose mission is to accelerate prosperity in disadvantaged communities by providing loans and business coaching to low-income entrepreneurs, underserved small businesses, and nonprofits that are unable to secure conventional bank financing. CEF provides capital where banks cannot lend and gap financing when banks cannot lend enough. Throughout CEF's history, it has raised and deployed more than $123 million in capital, including nearly $18 million of PPP loans through September 30, 2020. Its high-impact investments in over 3,600 new and existing businesses have created jobs and delivered critical goods and services to serve Colorado’s disadvantaged businesses and communities. CEF’s loans have helped create or retain over 27,600 jobs, with nearly 80% of the loans supporting low-income entrepreneurs, women and minorities across Colorado.
Featured Impact Story
Impact Story
“Everyone does something that we do, but there are very few stores that do everything we do.”
In 2016, Jimmy Funkhouser decided to quit his 10-year corporate career and follow his dream of opening an outdoor gear shop. Four short months after making that decision, and with the help of a loan from CEF, Jimmy opened FERAL Mountain Co. At first glance, FERAL might look like any other outdoor store. Look closer and you'll see how Jimmy has built more than that. FERAL is focused on community, sustainability, and, of course, the outdoors. Through its used gear program, and repair and restoration services, FERAL encourages outdoor enthusiasts to repair or sell their gear before buying new - helping to reduce waste and making gear more affordable and accessible for all.
Like any small business owner, Jimmy has faced challenges with his small business. In 2018, the store was forced out of its original location when their landlord decided to redevelop the Tennyson Street property. After raising $100k from the community via crowdfunding, FERAL reopened in a building down the street, keeping the business alive and even expanding its footprint. With the COVID-19 business closures, Jimmy faced the threat of shutting his doors for good yet again. However, he was determined not to let that happen and sought out funding via the SBA Paycheck Protection Program. "The PPP loan through CEF saved our business," he tells. Jimmy's determination and commitment to his community have paid off and the FERAL team is happy to continue making experiencing the outdoors more inclusive for all through their mission, "Create adventure."
FERAL | www.liveferal.com
Location: Denver | Started: 2016
Type: Retail | Use of Funds: Working Capital
Impact Story
“Everything I worked for was going to be gone in a matter of three months and I was living on a prayer.”
When Marisa Beaver first started her demolition, excavation, sewer, and water company, Sewer Experts, they had a backlog of contracts. But even with this backlog of work, payments were slow to come in and Marisa struggled with having the cash flow to sustain the company. She knew she needed to seek out financial support, fast. Marisa took out a loan thinking the high interest that went along with it was inevitable. Then, after projects were put on hold and winter hit, further slowing business, she realized she was facing a dire situation - Marisa had put her house as collateral on the loan and was one payment away from losing it and her entire company.
"I turned to a friend and he encouraged me to find something other than a shark loan... I spent all night calling place after place when someone in Ohio directed me to CEF," Marisa tells. After securing a loan with CEF, Marisa was able to pay off her other loan. She recounts, "I was able to breathe for the first time in six months."
In addition to her first loan, Marisa also received two Paycheck Protection Program loans through CEF. "Because of them, I was able to start another company and hire four people during the pandemic," she explains. With the faith of a mustard seed, Marisa continues to defy the odds in this male-dominated industry. Sewer Experts recently landed an on-call Denver Housing Authority contract and was also featured on the cover of a national magazine, Dig Different. Marisa tells of an accomplishment even more important to her though, stating, "The biggest win is we are able to provide for ten employees and their families and I am so blessed to be able to help do that."
Sewer Experts Inc. | www.sewerex.com
Location: Commerce City | Started: 2019
Type: Construction | Use of Funds: Working Capital
Impact Story
“Economic growth is driven by small business."
College friends Jeremy Priest and Mark Johnson launched the Knotty Tie Company to create a way for people to design their own ties in an eco-friendly process using 100% organic fabric and old-world craftsmanship. With increased demand for Knotty Tie products, Jeremy and Mark needed more working capital to cover costs for expanded manufacturing, related training, and staffing. They contacted Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) in 2013 about a loan to buy new equipment and supplies to increase production capacity and returned in 2015 for more financing to get textile printing and color analysis equipment to reduce production costs and create custom products more rapidly in-house.
“We were so glad we found CEF at the appropriate time for our business,” recalled Jeremy, a Navy veteran and CEF VALOR loan recipient. “CEF helped us grow our business before outside investors were interested, on terms that were very favorable given our mediocre credit, lack of collateral and nascent business model - all while preserving our ownership to share with employees.”
Since partnering with CEF, Knotty Tie sales have more than tripled. Along with their success, Jeremy and Mark are constantly assessing their operations including hiring and retaining skilled staff. A major focus of their business mission is partnering with the African Community Center to find trained crafts people.
“Economic growth is driven by small business,” Jeremy said. “CEF plays an instrumental role in ensuring that all segments of Colorado's society can participate and create opportunities for themselves, their families and communities.”
Impact Story
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