Community Ventures’ focus on serving the underserved. CV is a Community Development Financial Institution and is one of the few SBA approved lenders in Kentucky. But beyond loans, they also increase financial literacy and provide technical assistance to people in underserved populations who have a great idea and are trying to develop a business. “We work with both the bankable and nonbankable, even if it’s just to work with people who are not bankable until they are bankable. However, we do help people transform their ideas into something tangible that can be utilized by the public.” To do that, CV relies on a network of community partnerships. Here in Owensboro, Burkins works closely with the Small Business Development Center to provide assistance with drafting business
COMMUNITY VENTURES ALSO OCCASIONALLY PROVIDES FREE CLASSES TO THE PUBLIC. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY RECENTLY HOSTED A GUERRILLA MARKETING TRAINING IN MUHLENBERG COUNTY EXPLAINING SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING CAMPAIGNS.
plans and the Kentucky Innovation Network to utilize more resources for clients. He also lists the Chamber of Commerce and government officials as crucial partnerships. “I see my role as being part of the team. We all do our part. If folks are willing to let you take their hand and walk alongside you, it’s exciting because we have a lot of success stories with business ownership and home ownership.” A few examples of the business success stories Burkins has been a part of through the Western Kentucky office range from launching restaurants, including a food truck, to a sports performance training
“IF YOU FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE TO DO, SOMETHING YOU ARE GOOD AT, AND SOMETHING YOU CAN GET PAID FOR - WHERE THOSE THREE THINGS OVERLAP - THAT’S WHEN YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING.” - Ron Burkins
program and a dog kennel. “What I love is seeing the passion because you can’t teach that. I can help you with a loan and we can help with a business plan, but that passion - I call it your ‘why’ - is what gets you out of bed in the morning. If you can revisit your passion - your ‘why’ - you can stick to it and achieve your dreams.” CV is also an option for existing businesses who are looking to expand. “Sometimes you have to start small and then grow,” Ron explains. “At Community Ventures, we grow with clients. We can work with business owners in the beginning stage and then help later on when they need bigger loans too.” Micro-loans through Community Ventures range from $500 to $50,000, but there are also programs allocating higher loan amounts when needed. According to its website, the greater mission of CV is to strengthen communities by helping people achieve their dreams of greater economic opportunity. “All it takes is one good idea to change your life,” Ron concluded. “Just one. Not everybody may see it immediately, but sometimes it starts that way. My job is to help coach you to get you to that place of success, whether it’s financial independence, time freedom, or creating income to sustain others.”
19
GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2017