“"Without the Loan Fund's commitment to sustainability and understanding of doing business in Vermont, we would have had a much harder time growing Vermont Smoke & Cure."” Chris Bailey

“"I was in a 10x14 room that I had totally outgrown. I had a pasteurizer that could handle 10 gallons a day and I was using 25 gallons a day, and it was insane. Just insane! VCLF saved my life. Nobody was going to lend me money."” Laini Fondiller, Lazy Lady Farm

“"I was nervous in the present economy to get a loan, but it was nice to have the Loan Fund there. I didn't realize how necessary their work is in Vermont, especially to the child care industry."” Christine Tullgren, Little Feet Children's Center

“"We were using a small-scale system, so you had to remove each bag and heat-seal it. We found a bagger, but it was a ton of money for us. We weren't large and banks weren't interested in helping us. VCLF approved our loan and we were able to buy it. It solidified our place in the market."” Francie Caccavo, Olivia's Crouton's

“"VCLF’s thorough understanding of our work, commitment to our mission and appreciation of our track record makes them a valued partner to us. Because of that, people have places to live that are safe, secure and affordable."” Brendy Torpy, Champlain Housing Trust

“"If VCLF hadn't stepped in to help us out, we'd be talking about closing instead of where we want to be in three years."” Caprice Hover, Rutland County Parent/Child Center

“I couldn’t have done this without the Loan Fund...they looked more deeply into my needs. I felt like somebody had reached out their hand and saved me. ” With VCLF, a New American Entrepreneur Says ‘Yes’ to a New Bridal Showroom Marina Smith, owner of South Burlington’s plush, newly relocated Veilmonte Bride showroom, got her first exposure to bridal couture growing up in Moldova, where she helped out at her aunt’s bustling bridal gown factory. The memory of those custom-designed, sparkling gowns and veils stayed with her. “I always dreamed of owning a bridal shop,” she says. After moving to the US in the early 2000s, Marina met the native Vermonter who would become her husband, and settled in Chittenden County and into a job “that I didn’t really like.” Not long after, she happened to hear of an available retail space in the Burlington Mall. It had ample room and high ceilings, “which you need for a bridal shop because the wedding dresses are so big, the brides need a lot of room to try them on,” Marina explains. It was, it seemed, the right space at the right time to open Veilmonte Bride, featuring her aunt’s couture bridal line. For months, Veilmonte saw a constant stream of brides…until the day that mall management suddenly terminated Marina’s lease. “They told me they were closing the mall permanently because of COVID and I had to go.” Vermont's wedding industry is a widely recognized economic engine, estimated to bring $160 million to the state, annually. Marina’s shop not only provided fulltime work for herself; she regularly collaborated with venues, photographers, hairstylists, makeup artists, and more. She knew that Veilmonte’s closing would create a ‘ripple effect’ of lost work and income. She’d also spent countless hours and her own savings launch her shop. She wondered how, or even if, she could finance a new Veilmonte. On the advice of Center for Women and Enterprise Executive Director (and VCLF Board Vice President!) Gwen Pokalo, Marina contacted the Loan Fund. “I’d never borrowed money for my business, and I felt nervous about borrowing from a bank. But VCLF helped me immediately,” Marina recounts. She found a new location on Shelburne Road with high visibility (and even higher ceilings!). In September of 2022, Veilmonte Bride officially re-opened, and the brides again began marching through her door. Today, a chandelier casts soft light on the delicate pink showroom interiors. Racks of cloud-like gowns line the halls. “My customers tell me it’s so beautiful here, which is so important because this is a very special time for them,“ Marina says. Brides and their parties are invited to visit by appointment only. “They’ll have this entire private space to themselves,” says Marina. For an additional fee, they can enjoy champagne and treats while perusing the rows of racks. “I couldn’t have done this without the Loan Fund,” Marina says. “The Loan Fund helped me with so much. They even helped with my business plan.” “A bank doesn’t necessarily want to help you with your business or learn about who you are. But with the Loan Fund, they looked more deeply into my needs. I felt like somebody had reached out their hand and saved me.” veilmontebride.com