Small Business Week runs from May 1 to May 7, 2022 and the team at Queensborough National Bank & Trust would like to take this opportunity to celebrate local businesses who bank with us, and all small businesses who support their communities. Community banking keeps funds available to build businesses, families, and lives in the communities they serve. Similarly, shopping local supports friends and neighbors, building up towns and cities in Georgia from within.
This week is a great time for small business owners and entrepreneurs to network and share how they kept their doors open through the pandemic, and other challenges they have faced. Our team at QNBT is proud to have provided these innovative, courageous customers with advice, funds, and encouragement at all levels.
Spotlight on Local Small Businesses that Help Keep their Communities Strong
At Queensborough National Bank & Trust, we love sharing customer success stories, especially ones we have been a part of. These stories feature diverse businesses like:
- Earthworks Grading & Contracting LLC
- Realty ONE Group Visionaries
- Semiema Farms LLC
- Little Dipper Coffee and Ice Cream
Some businesses have faced extraordinary adversity, but Small Business Week is also about celebrating the courage to start in the first place!
Misty Dawn Sanders of Earthworks cited their long association with Queensborough National Bank & Trust and why they chose us for their small business banking partner.
“I would have done this so much sooner. I am a habitual overthinker and sat on this plan for several years before putting it into action. I didn’t believe that we would ever get the financing we needed to be able to buy a dependable dump truck and didn’t have a lot of faith in myself. Then one day, I decided to just do it. The worst thing the bank could say is ‘no’.”
“I had been banking with Queensborough since I was 19 and figured I would go talk to someone in the commercial lending department. Nick was so helpful, and I got a response back within a day. I was able to buy a MUCH newer dump truck, and this truly started us on the path of success.”
“We started the business to help people. First, we want to help our clients turn their dreams of homeownership into reality. Additionally, we wanted to break the chains of the traditional brokerage company and create a win-win-win situation through coaching, mentoring, and empowered agents.”
Many small businesses — and maybe yours is one of them — start when gutsy, determined individuals decide to use their knowledge and expertise to improve service in their niches.
We asked owner Addison Evans Hooks of Semiema Farms LLC, “What is your background and how did you develop the skills to start your business?”
“My background has always been based around beef production from working with different animal health companies to marketing cattle for other farmers. I have been diversely involved with just about every aspect of this business, and now we have furthered that by selling retail meat cuts to the public.”
Small businesses provide opportunities with creative and courageous entrepreneurs who create meaningful jobs in the community. At the same time, they can grow their wealth in industries they are passionate about, all while keeping money in the local neighborhoods.
This is particularly true in the case of Little Dipper Coffee and Ice Cream. Owner Grace Waits details how having a strong banking partner greatly facilitated her entrepreneurial journey.
“Being a director at the Screven Co. Chamber definitely gave me a boost of knowledge about starting a business. I did a bunch of research on businesses similar to mine. YouTube and Google were my go-to. I also talked with local business owners to learn from their experiences. Heather Weaver at QNBT in Sylvania was phenomenal at helping me get a business loan and educating me on the financial side.”
Thank You from Queensborough National Bank & Trust
As a community business ourselves, Queensborough National Bank & Trust understands the importance of small businesses to the communities they serve. That's why we welcome this opportunity to express our appreciation of your continued loyalty and partnership with your branch representative.
Thank you!
Queensborough National Bank & Trust celebrates the spirit of Small Business Week and remains committed to helping local businesses thrive with superior banking products and a focus on personal service. Contact us today to discuss your small business banking needs.