In late October 2021, Paolo reached out to us for assistance with loan package prep for a city-sponsored program. The work had just begun when Paola lost her business to a fire that started in an abutting residential unit a week later.
After a handful of false starts, Paola purchased a property on the National Register of Historic Properties with a loan provided by the Providence Business Development Loan Fund. Old buildings hold many surprises, all of which have been a challenge. Paola had to navigate the complexities of renovating and repurposing the historic property to meet her specific requirements.
"Just when I thought I had lost it all, Maggie and Manuel stood by my side, giving me the support I needed. They went above and beyond to make sure I got my business back.”
Over the last 18 months, Paola, with the support of Maggie and Manuel, has worked to recreate documents lost in the disaster.
Throughout this process, the RISBDC continued to offer their support and mentorship, helping Paola overcome the obstacles and move closer to her goal. With that support, Paola has finally received her certificate of occupancy and held the restaurant's soft opening in mid-July.
Paolo was able to hold a soft opening in mid-July and has been operating ever since.
Moss Pure experienced start-up challenges from where to even begin. This included not knowing how to market Moss Pure, how to get funding, and how to gain profit.
“Amanda Basse of the RI Small Business Development Center helped me strategize a marketing and PR strategy that would change Moss Pure forever. Amanda is very professional, knowledgeable, and empathetic. She is amazing to work with.”
Our SBDC helped Moss Pure develop a web presence with E-Commerce. Amanda Basse, our marketing counselor, worked closely with Jamie Mitri to integrate a wonderful marketing plan.
Moss Pure won first prize at an MIT startup challenge and Top Ten Startups in the United Nations Development Programme. Live Moss wall art quickly differentiated Moss Pure from competitors, as Moss Pure is the ONLY live moss on the market.
Sav proved that it's possible to be a successful artist without following the traditional art school route, and now runs RI's first tufting studio. Over the past few months, Sav has had a streak of great achievements; locally as well as globally. She did face societal hurdles from not having the traditional artist beginning.
"RI SBDC was pivotal in growing as a black business in PVD".
Sav worked with Providence Center Director, Yashwant Meghare, to secure funds that allowed her to acquire more equipment and be able to grow her business.
Sav quit her 9-5 and decided to pursue what once was a side hustle, Tuft x PVD. Over the past few months, Sav has had a streak of great achievements; locally as well as globally. Graduate of the Waterfire Accelerator Program allowed her to be an artist in residence at the Graduate Hotel. Towards the end of that residency Sav was selected to be the artist in residence for the Sweet Dreams Society, an art residency program run by The Graduate hotels throughout country, allowing her to double-down on her duration in the space. On the global scale, Sav is partnering with Tuft the World to participate in their Educator Inventive Program.
