Women of Fort Mill Podcast | Women in Business, Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business
Welcome to the Women of Fort Mill Podcast – your weekly dose of connection, inspiration, and empowerment for women who live, lead, and thrive in our beautiful Fort Mill, SC.
Hosted by Leah Williams and Kellie Hoover, this show goes beyond business spotlights. We're here to help you grow personally and professionally, through real conversations with local women who are making a difference.
Each week, we bring you inspiring stories from local female business owners who are breaking boundaries, lifting each other up, and making a real impact. Whether you're looking to level up in business, master your health and wellness, or simply stay motivated, we’ve got you covered!
Each week, you'll hear:
- Stories from Fort Mill’s women in business, the wins, the struggles, and the lessons they’ve learned
- Actionable insights on mindset, leadership, and wellness
- Heartfelt solo episodes that speak to your everyday life as a woman navigating business, family, and purpose
- Spotlights on nonprofits and community changemakers who are building a better Fort Mill for all of us
This podcast is more than a local directory, it’s a gathering place for women who want to feel seen, supported, and inspired in every season of life.
Tune in every Wednesday and discover how the women right next door can help you take your next best step.
🎧 Listen, connect, and grow with us—because when women of Fort Mill rise, we rise together.
Follow us:
✨ Podcast: @womenoffortmillpodcast
✨ Kellie Hoover: @kelliehoover and at kelliehoover.org
✨ Leah Williams: @savvymomboss_fa and at savvyfinancialllc.com
Women of Fort Mill Podcast | Women in Business, Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business
Breaking Down Financial Barriers: ClimbFund's Impact on Small Business Growth
Episode 28: Breaking Down Financial Barriers: ClimbFund's Impact on Small Business Growth
Episode Summary:
This episode features a conversation with Keonta Ramsey, Director of Growth for ClimbFund, a non-profit community lender. ClimbFund is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs access capital when traditional banks decline their applications. They are a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on serving underserved communities, including women-owned, veteran-owned, rurally-based, and BIPOC-owned businesses. Beyond providing funding, ClimbFund offers extensive free technical assistance and wraparound services, such as marketing, accounting, HR, and general business consulting. The discussion highlights the critical role non-profits play in fostering small business growth and building inclusive communities.
Episode Highlights:
- ClimbFund functions as a CDFI, providing funding to small businesses that are turned down by traditional banks, without taking deposits.
- The organization's mission is to serve underserved groups like women, veterans, rural businesses, and BIPOC communities.
- ClimbFund's "secret sauce" is its free technical assistance, which includes support for marketing, accounting, QuickBooks, and HR, ensuring client success beyond just providing a loan.
- They offer flexibility with loan repayments, understanding that "life happens" and businesses experience ebbs and flows.
- ClimbFund provides industry-specific and general business consulting through staff and contractors, all at no cost to clients.
- Clients become part of the "PlanFund Collaborative," a private Facebook group for sharing ideas and support, fostering a strong community.
- ClimbFund serves the entire state of South Carolina, with five community development loan officers strategically located to be within 90 minutes of clients.
- A success story shared is Verde, a restaurant that grew from one location to multiple, including a contract with Charleston International Airport, after receiving funding from ClimbFund.
- Keonta advises aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women and minorities, to "just start" and utilize available resources like ClimbFund's free workshops and partnerships with organizations like SCORE.
Final Takeaway:
ClimbFund provides vital financial access and comprehensive, free support to entrepreneurs, particularly those overlooked by traditional banks. Their commitment goes beyond funding, offering essential technical assistance and fostering a supportive community, which are critical for the sustainable growth and success of small businesses in South Carolina.
Call to Action:
- Share this podcast episode on social media
- Leave a 5-star review on your podcast platform
- Sign up for the Women of Fort Mill podcast newsletter
- Follow the podcast on Instagram @womenoffortmill
- Tag the hosts and share what inspired you from this episode
- To learn more about ClimbFund and their services, visit ClimbFund.org. Explore their client success stories, resources tab, and event schedule, including their free small business loan application workshops. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram under "ClimbFund".
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