WILLMAR, Minn. — Local entrepreneur Luci Lopez recently opened Zenglo Beauty day spa in Willmar with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program. Zenglo Beauty provides skin care services such as facials and chemical peels and carries the glo line of skin care products.
Lopez is a licensed esthetician with seven years of cosmetology experience, including most recently as a hair stylist at a salon in Willmar. She graduated from Regency Beauty Institute in Waite Park, and in 2017 completed the Advance Esthetics Course at Ridgewater College where she learned the latest treatments in the skin care industry.
“My goal is to do a skin analysis for each client to give them a signature experience and educate them on how to care for their skin in between appointments,” Lopez said.
Zenglo is located in the former Inspa Studio building near Willmar Lake. Lopez has plans to remain in that building and grow there. To get her business started, she applied for financing from SWIF.
“Owning a small business is challenging, but Luci has the drive and passion to do it,” said SWIF Economic Development Officer Jackie Turner. “SWIF is happy to help her launch this venture and wishes her every success.”
Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities.
Microloan clients receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, QuickBooks training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at 800-594-9480, 320-587-4848 or [email protected].
About Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $75 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs. Learn more at swifoundation.org.
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