Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

          I was reading in the Salt Lake Tribune a few days ago and came across an article by Paul Beebe. His article was a spotlight on Horacio Pena, an immigrant from Mexico, who has only been in Salt Lake a few years. He wasn’t a U.S Citizen,  spoke broken English, and on top of that his credit was razor thin. But Pena had a dream to start a small Flan business that would deliver the hispanic desserts to the surrounding Salt Lake Valley. Today his company, Sophi-Flan, serves 90 customers across the valley, has two full-time employees, and is cranking out over 350 flans a week in all kinds of flavors. What made the difference?

        “I tried to go to a few banks. They don’t accept me. I didn’t have too much credit,” said Pena. “I don’t find any money until I find Utah Microenterprise."

            The Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund is a non-profit lender providing money to launch or expand small businesses. It lends small amounts to people who have a dream like Pena. They take a gamble on individuals who have top rate ideas, but lack the resources to launch on their own.

            Applicants are usually women or minorities: over 60 percent are women, and one in four are minorities. Some have bankruptcies or sketchy work history in their past. Many are poor single mothers, just scraping to make ends meet.

            The Utah Microenterprise Loan Fund is reaching down and lending a helping hand to people who would otherwise be swallowed up. The Loan Fund is helping make the American dream a reality for over 448 small businesses and counting. I feel relieved to know that there are businesses out there that aren’t just about making money, but about making a bright future for those less fortunate.

Time and money spent in helping men to do more

for themselves is far better than mere giving.

– Henry Ford