A loan helped .


Samantha's story

I am a first generation Filipina-American, and I grew up in a suburban city near a golf course where golf balls would often land in my backyard. My first business at 10 years old was selling those golf balls back to the golfers at $0.25 each. Instinctively, I added selling cold drinks too.

While my parents worked hard for their “American Dream” at their traditional nine-to-five jobs, they never limited my imagination of my aspirations. Whatever I dreamed of doing, I always knew I wanted to do it “on my own..."

At 16, I was so proud to work at Chuck E. Cheese. As I moved on to different companies, I realized how much I liked working, learning from bosses, understanding operations, and having an urge to be a leader. In my 20's, I was in the finance Industry and worked in many positions, eagerly learning how organizations operated. I didn't realize then that I was grooming myself to run my own business someday. At 29 I became a business development consultant and at 31, I resigned from being someone’s employee and started my first business, a “book bar” named The Brass Lamp. It was a unique fusion of a wine bar, book store, coffee shop, and restaurant.

The intense situations in building a concept that didn’t exist exposed me to a lifetime of learning experiences. Ultimately, the business was successful in creating a positive, productive space for the community. It succeeded in leaving a warm, lasting impression on my customers but failed in bringing me a profit to my bottom line and I was forced to close it. Thankfully, it had a positive reputation in the Long Beach community which led me to an incredible opportunity to open a new business in the Long Beach Airport with my husband.


This loan is special because:

It helps a female entrepreneur purchase equipment and inventory in order to start catering services through her restaurant.



Loan details


About Little Brass Cafe Express

Industry: Food
Years in operation: New Business
Website: littlebrasscafe.com

Follow:

Lenders and lending teams




Loan details