friendsof504 Archives - Mountain West Small Business Finance

Celebrating Women in Small Business

October 25, 2019March 3, 2020Lindsay Boulter

Celebrating Women in Small Business October is National Women’s Small Business Month. We’re celebrating women-owned businesses everywhere, as well as the outstanding progress female entrepreneurs have made over the years! Did you know? -In 1972, women only owned 4.6% of all businesses in the United States. As of 2019, women owned 42% of all businesses -Women-owned businesses grew 21% from 2014 to 2019, and businesses owned by women of color grew at double that rate. Numbers for black women entrepreneurs grew the fastest, with an increase of 50%. In fact, as of 2019, women of color accounted for 50% of all women who owned businesses. -There are nearly 13 million… Read More

Saffron Valley: Small Business Spotlight

May 21, 2019March 3, 2020Danny Mangum

Saffron Valley Special The newest addition in the Saffron Valley family is part restaurant, part market and part chai house. With small business financing from Mountain West, Saffron Valley was able to hire 12 more employees at their new Sugarhouse/Liberty Wells location in Salt Lake City. The new 5000 square foot location also includes a culinary school, making it a one stop shop for anyone who wants to explore Indian food. The tour de force behind Saffron Valley is Lavanya Mahate. Born and raised in Southern India, Mahate watched her mom, with some help from Kanthama (their kitchen help) cook for her large extended family, and her joy for all things… Read More

Western Nut Company: MWSBF Borrower Spotlight

May 20, 2019March 3, 2020Danny Mangum

April 1966, Wellington McDonald and Helen Bean founded the Western Nut Company with a business model that called for acquiring the highest quality of raw nuts in the industry, and then roasting them to perfection. Ownership changed hands in 1983, and the company has remained family-owned ever since. Throughout Western Nut’s 50-plus year history, the hallmarks of quality and freshness remain tenants of the company’s success to this day. With an SBA504 Loan, Loren Mercer and his business partners —his brothers Lloyd Mercer and Lee Mercer—purchased the existing Western Nut factory store property after Loren had spent 10 years working as an executive for Western Nut. In addition to the factory… Read More

Valley Market: MWSBF Borrower Spotlight

May 20, 2019March 3, 2020Danny Mangum

“Every decision that was made during this process was focused on our guest.” – Kip Wilkes, owner Valley Market in Thayne, Wyoming Kip Wilkes’ Valley Market used an SBA504 (small business loan) for an expansion and remodel of the store. Valley Market has been a staple in Thayne, Wyoming for more than 25 years. The remodel and expansion, nearly doubles the size of the store (from 18,000 sq feet to 33,000). The updated décor was chosen specifically to reflect the colors, textures and design elements found throughout Star Valley. Additionally, the remodel puts customers first with guest focused flourishes that run the gamut from larger aisles to more high quality… Read More

Stone Canyon Inn: Small Business Borrower Spotlight

May 17, 2019March 3, 2020Danny Mangum

Red Rock Magic and Magesty Anyone who’s traveled through southern Utah can speak firsthand to the majestic and magical red rock splendor of the area. Visitors travel from all over the world to see the stunning red cliffs and towers of orange sandstone juxtaposed with bright blue skies. Twenty years ago, Dixie and Mike Burbidge, came to Tropic from Northern Utah to start a bed and breakfast near Bryce Canyon. Today, the Stone Canyon Inn’s 80 acres bordering the east property line of Bryce Canyon offers beautiful accommodations and up-close and personal access to particular breathtaking views of the area. The Stone Canyon Inn has 15 rental units that include… Read More

Congratulations Marcie Nelson: 20 Years with MWSBF

March 1, 2019March 3, 2020Danny Mangum

When asking Marcie Nelson how it feels to be celebrating two decades with Mountain West, the response is a jovial “Well, I supposed I feel a little older and SO much wiser!” The Senior Servicing Administrator celebrates 20 years with Mountain West Small Business Finance today, (Friday, March 1, 2019). Nelson said she’s does about everything in servicing, but handling prepayments is her favorite. “I enjoy the interaction with our borrowers, helping to solve problems, answer questions and hopefully leave them happy that they did business with us and will come back if they need financing.” Borrowers, colleagues and co-workers have felt her influence and positivity. In fact, when asked… Read More

2018 Employee Recognition Awards

January 8, 2019March 4, 2020Danny Mangum

When you ask a Mountain West Small Business Finance employee what their favorite part of working for the company is, ninety-plus-percent would say it’s the people. In 2018, our employees not only helped hundreds of small businesses realize their dreams. Stephen Hawking said, “We are very, very small, but we are profoundly capable of very, very big things.” It’s incredible to think that for a company with less than 50 current employees, MWSBF’s 38-year history includes a portfolio of more than 1500 loans to small businesses across the mountain west. It’s possible because of the company’s greatest asset: our people. To celebrate the accomplishments of our people, this… Read More

Happy 40th ‘Bee Day’ Discovery Gateway

October 11, 2018March 4, 2020Danny Mangum

The walls and shelves of Mountain West’s chief administrative officer Steve Suite are filled with art, photos and memorabilia. But perhaps the pièce de résistance is the collection of photos capturing moments of pure delight highlighting his family–and especially his grandchildren–over the years at Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum. While Suite has long served as a board member for the museum, the framed collage was gifted to him in honor of his time spent as DG’s chairman of the board (from 2009 – 2011). “I started on the board around the time our first grandchild was born,” Suite said. “Our family has grown up at Discovery Gateway.” Decor from the 40th Bee Day Bash… Read More

Happy “National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!”

August 2, 2018March 4, 2020Danny Mangum

Earlier this week, 2018 Utah Small Business Person of the Year Paul Merrill, CEO of Casper’s Ice Cream joined MWSBF vice president Danny Mangum at Channel 4, to talk about his company’s expansion–made possible through loans with Mountain West–and of course, the beloved Fat Boy Ice Cream Sandwich (amongst other frozen novelties and treats). So celebrate today with a cold one (frozen treat, that is)! And then sit back, relax and enjoy the interview with ABC’s News4Utah below: https://www.good4utah.com/news/4pm-sponsored/the-original-fat-boy-ice-cream-sandwich-will-be-around-for-years-to-come/1336775117