In this quarterly Capital Hub update we’ll share some of our accomplishments, and share the stories of two entrepreneurs who finished their Kiva campaigns.
$1 M IN IN KIVA LOANS FOR ENTREPRENEURS ENDORSED BY CENTRO!
We are excited to share that since we started helping entrepreneurs access Kiva Loans through our Centro Business Planning App trustee account in 2014, we have endorsed 133 entrepreneurs receiving over $1M in interest-free loans.
In order to qualify for our endorsement in Kiva, entrepreneurs must create their business plans using the Centro Business Planning Tool. By completing all of the activities in this app, potential borrowers will have thought through the different pieces of their business models and are able to effectively explain their business to Kiva lenders.
QUARTERLY UPDATE
Since the start of 2022, we have helped 57 entrepreneurs access $1,160,500. From this amount, $440,500 were provided in Kiva loans with the Oakland and San Francisco Kiva Hubs, $45,000 in grants, and $675,000 in larger small business loans.
EDISNEY AND PAOLA, ARE SET FOR SUCCESS AFTER GETTING THEIR KIVA LOAN!
Meet Edisney and Paola, two amazing entrepreneurs who each received a $15,000 Kiva loan to grow their businesses in the Bay Area:
EDISNEY ROA TRUJILLO, OWNER OF OLALA POPSICLES
Edisney is originally from Colombia, and produces and sells artisan popsicles called Olala Popsicles.
“One of my passions is making traditional Colombian desserts for my family, especially passion fruit desserts. Living here in the United States and missing the food of my country, I was inspired by Colombian paletas to create Olala Popsicles and share them with my friends. My business started in 2020 during the pandemic because of the need to earn income and my passion for taking desserts to another level.” - Edisney
This Kiva loan is helping Edisney take her popsicle business to the next level by purchasing machinery to optimize the production and distribution of the product.
PAOLA ALVARADO, OWNER OF PAO CRAFT COCKTAILS
Paola is a Latina woman originally from Mexico, and is the founder of Pao Craft Cocktails.
“I have a craft cocktail business, I focus on creating fun and different environments with a delicious drink made for each of my clients' needs. My business is a mobile bar and we serve our customers in the location of their choice. I decided to start my business, because I was unemployed due to the pandemic in 2020. This motivated me to undertake and empower myself to open my business on February 17, 2021.” - Paola
This loan helped Paola purchase a van to transport more equipment and hold larger events, as well as help with professional advertising and hiring a staff person.
Please let us know if you or someone you know is interested in accessing a Kiva loan or have any questions. Verónica Gutiérrez, Capital Access Manager: KivaUS@centrocommunity.org.