Helping Small Business Owners Achieve Their Big Dreams

When Reinaldo Sánchez called Liberty Bank, he was a man with a plan. His dream was to open New Haven’s first all-vegan ice cream shop, and he was able to do so because Liberty provided the financing.

Less than two years later, Vía Láctea CT, located in New Haven’s Whitney-Audubon Retail & Arts District near Yale University, is open for business and doing well. In fact, it just earned a Small Business Achievement Award from the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce.

“Liberty Bank played a key role in helping us bring Vía Láctea to life in New Haven,” said Sánchez. “As a small business owner, having a partner that understands your vision and supports it at the right moment makes all the difference. Their team helped turn an idea into a growing business that’s now part of the community.”

Vía Láctea CT is just one example of the many businesses Liberty Bank has helped over the years. Small businesses help drive our economy. They create jobs and strengthen local communities, but to survive and thrive, they need support. At Liberty Bank, teammates partner with small businesses every day to provide that support and to help business owners like Sánchez achieve their dreams.

And make no mistake, it is a partnership.

The Small Business Team, of course, helps small businesses secure financing, but they also mentor and educate. Senior Business Banking Officer Tony Rossley, for example, introduces business owners to realtors, lawyers and others. Having a good team around you is a key to success, he explains. If getting approved for financing is a concern, Rossley serves as a coach, providing aspiring business owners with the information and resources they need to move forward.  

“I’ve always loved small business because we are bettering people’s lives,” Rossley said.

Business Solutions Manager Mark Vickery shares a similar sentiment.

“It’s a really rewarding, great thing to know that you, and the financing the bank provided, helped jumpstart a successful business,” Vickery said, explaining how he finds joy in helping small businesses grow. 

When helping small business owners, Vickery specifically looks for passion. “It’s never over when you are a small business owner,” he said. “Why do you want to do it?” He also says aspiring business owners should share a thoughtful business plan.

Rossley agrees. “You plan your vacation,” he said. “You must do the same for your business. You need a roadmap.”

What else does the duo want aspiring small business owners to know?

• Connect with, and shadow, someone who owns a business like the one you wish to start – but in a different market. You can learn from them!
• Do your research. Be thoughtful as you think through the best- and worst-case scenarios, and work with your accountant to understand your cash flow.
• Explore all your options to find the right partners.
• Be deliberate. Review all contracts or leases with an attorney before you sign.
• Communicate openly with your lender. They can’t help if they don’t understand your business or know that you have a problem.

To help ensure that business owners are successful, Liberty goes the extra mile. It offers the Academy for Small Business - a series of free classes that provide individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to start and grow their business. These classes address everything from time management and financial planning to risk management and insurance.

Learn more about small business loans offered by Liberty.