Financial Empowerment

Corey & Joanna purchased a legendary shop in the Saint John City Market and brought new life into it. They have been up and running since May. This was our first time purchasing future revenue. They have a revenue based financing agreement with us, meaning that what they pay is based on how well their business is doing. This sets them up for success in their early years. Providing opportunities for youth entrepreneurs and enterprising women to sell their own products from the Slocum & Ferris location is so important to them that they built it directly into their business plan.

We helped the SJTL with some of their finances, refinancing some of their early loan so that we could help them reduce their interest rate. We were able to lower their interest rate quite a bit! Owner Brent Harris has opened a new location which has enabled them to do more training on site, host a new job readiness program and generally involve the community more.

The launch social program helped Fred build his vision of building mobile food markets to serve people fresh food in places where fresh food is hard to come across as well as promoting healthy meal plans. Since Fred has graduated from the program, he has expanded his social enterprise greatly and is now looking to expand across the coast in California!

Miriam participated in the enterprising women program during the fall of 2020 to follow her vision which promoted local food products by offering boxes of fresh local produce.  With the help of the enterprising women program, she was able to create her business plan and run with her dream. "I am so grateful for the Saint John Community Loan Fund in both pushing me to move forward with my idea and providing me with the support to take it further."  If you're thinking of following your dream business but don't know where to start, we're the best place  to get you started.

Hillary was introduced to Kaleidoscope in 2019. We supported her with taking part in ‘New Boots’ (NBCC program trades training) which she completed in eight weeks. Job placement after the training was in Partnership was JDI - they hired her and since then she has been working consistently. She is almost done paying back her loan.

Chelsey was recommended to Kaleidoscope when she needed support in financing her first car.  "I filled out the application with Darlene, and I was approved, which really brought my dream of owning a car to life. In what was only a matter of weeks, I bought my very first car, and I am so happy and blessed! Thank you Kaleidoscope for being here and helping me literally on the road to success!" If you are in need for advice or financial support, we're the best at it!

Alcide Knowles who started a freight hauling business using a ten year old car and a new trailer bought with the loan. As a result of a past injury Alcide and his family ended up on income assistance. In a short period of time through his determination and this small loan he created enough income that he sees himself ending his dependence on provincial assistance within the next six months.

We worked with Sammy to ensure he had the capital needed to upgrade his license and secure a future in a career he wanted as a commercial vehicle operator. "I Got myself a job man, my first day at work today. I love it. Thanks to you guys, appreciate it!" If you want to help yourself get to that next stage in your career or business, we want to to help you get there.

Sue St. Onge applied for a micro loan in 2011 to start up Broadway Dog Grooming after she was denied a loan from the banks.  We were happy to approve Sue for another micro loan in 2019 for renos and new equipment. Sue is happy that her team at Broadway Dog Grooming are now able to offer a new level of professional and quality pet care.

Dan Sangster came to the Loan Fund to help finance his taxi business with the new metering system. Dan's Taxi was launched in 2016 and his gentle demeaner is welcome by regular customers throughout Saint John.  In his 'off' time, Dan also runs The Recording Star, an affordable recording  and jamming studio.

We worked with Jennifer from a finance perspective.

Sensory Friendly Solutions brings together the sensory-friendly community of seekers with providers: sensory-friendly events, places, products and services. We worked with her from a financial standpoint and she has helped us with our Hub transformation project. As a part of the project we added new flooring, some sound absorbing tiles, window treatments, and new signage to make The Hub more accessible for our community members.

Steven Barnes came to us to help finance his Marine Emergency Duties course and then to help purchase his family home in Red Head. He renovated the home in between his work on the Great Lakes, doing a three weeks on and one week home gig for a couple years. A pretty motivated guy, he decided to move back to Saint John permanently and start Yuk Yuk's which opened at the end of 2016. Steven joined the Loan Fund board in 2017 bringing an incredible mix of experience as a borrower and now an UptownSJ business owner.

Jason Pineau and Robyn Calvin started Precision Painting in 2009 and before they knew it, demand for their services had grown.  They had the opportunity to bid on their first major commercial job in Moncton, the Hampton Inn. "When we received an opportunity to expand but we were not sure it would be possible, financing was the biggest key to the equation. [Kaleidoscope] provided that key and helped make it possible. They are very innovative in arranging funding that fits the customer's need. They took the time and had the patience to make it work."  Today, Precision Paint Applicators is doing jobs throughout Canada. In 2016 alone, they were in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, PEI and of course New Brunswick.