Yesterday, our loan team received a letter from one of our business loan customers.
Taken from the letter received (with a few modifications to keep the confidentiality of the loan customer):
“I want to take the time and relay my gratitude for the help with the purchase of my building. SWIF has really been instrumental in the successof my business. The Foundation made it possible for me to start my business three years ago when there were not any banks that would loan me money. They helped me realize the dream that I have had since I was a teenager of starting my own business in my home town. Berny Berger and Kurt Thompson went out of their way to not only make it possible to get my business open, but to also keep it running and make it successful. When I started my business three years ago, purchasing the building was always my goal. When I went to my banker, however, I didn’t think it was going to be a possibility…I should have realized, however, that this was yet another service that SWIF would be able to assist me with. I really have appreciated both Amy Woitalewicz’s and Janet Menton’s diligence and professionalism in this matter. SWIF really has been the most significant factor in allowing my dream to come to fruition and my business to become a success.” I look forward to being able to give back to SWIF in the future and being able to help you guys do for others what you have done for me.”
Join me in congratulating our awesome professional staff! Pictured (clockwise from top left) are Business Finance Officer Amy Woitalewicz, Loan Servicing Specialist Janet Menton, Microenterprise Program Coordinator Berny Berger and Program Officer Kurt Thompson.
I hope you will pass on this message to encourage the great entrepreneurs of our communities and region to connect with our awesome team of professionals at SWIF to help make dreams come true.
Sherry Ristau is the President/CEO of the Southwest Initiative Foundation, where she oversees more than $55 million in total financial assets. Sherry is highly committed to rural Minnesota. She especially strives to celebrate, inspire and advocate for southwest Minnesota’s many great social and economic assets.
