Category: Small Business

Women’s History Month Client Spotlight: Apirra Abstract and Title

Founded by Kenisha Natividad, Apirra Abstract & Title is a title company in Boerne, Texas, that aims to provide their clients with the amazing experience of achieving and witnessing the “American dream” of homeownership.   Kenisha decided to start Apirra Abstract & Title after closing on her own home and having a…

Founded by Kenisha Natividad, Apirra Abstract & Title is a title company in Boerne, Texas, that aims to provide their clients with the amazing experience of achieving and witnessing the “American dream” of homeownership.   Kenisha decided to start Apirra Abstract & Title after closing on her own home and having a…

BIPOC Small Business Accelerator Announcement: Houston and Fort Worth

PeopleFund is proud to announce that we deployed over $1.5M in loans and $120,000 in grants to 28 small businesses in Austin and Dallas during our inaugural cohorts. Applications open today for BIPOC Small Business Accelerator’s second set of cohorts in Fort Worth and Houston. This program will continue to provide small business owners with…

PeopleFund is proud to announce that we deployed over $1.5M in loans and $120,000 in grants to 28 small businesses in Austin and Dallas during our inaugural cohorts. Applications open today for BIPOC Small Business Accelerator’s second set of cohorts in Fort Worth and Houston. This program will continue to provide small business owners with…

Black History Month Client Spotlight: Shantell Jennings (Smell’em Candle Co.)

Shantell Jennings was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Although she noted that Atlanta was where she was raised, Shantell grew her love for art in her hometown’s historically Black community theater, Arena Players Incorporated. In her younger years, Shantell would spend her summers and holidays learning how to act, dance, sing, and write….

Shantell Jennings was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Although she noted that Atlanta was where she was raised, Shantell grew her love for art in her hometown’s historically Black community theater, Arena Players Incorporated. In her younger years, Shantell would spend her summers and holidays learning how to act, dance, sing, and write….

Black History Month Staff Spotlight: Sarina Kyle

During Black History Month, PeopleFund is honored to spotlight our Fort Worth Loan Officer, Sarina Kyle.   Born and raised in Mississippi, Sarina relocated to Texas in 2019 with her family and two daughters. To Sarina, family is everything. Every Sunday, her family enjoys a tradition called “Sunday Funday” where they get together…

During Black History Month, PeopleFund is honored to spotlight our Fort Worth Loan Officer, Sarina Kyle.   Born and raised in Mississippi, Sarina relocated to Texas in 2019 with her family and two daughters. To Sarina, family is everything. Every Sunday, her family enjoys a tradition called “Sunday Funday” where they get together…

The Veteran Collaborative Announces the Creation of the Veteran Loan Fund

PeopleFund is honored to be one of twelve Community Development Financial Institutions announcing the creation of the Veteran Loan Fund, with Bank of America as the lead capital investor. The Veteran Loan Fund aims to fill the financial and training gap that underserved military veterans face when building a small business. This…

PeopleFund is honored to be one of twelve Community Development Financial Institutions announcing the creation of the Veteran Loan Fund, with Bank of America as the lead capital investor. The Veteran Loan Fund aims to fill the financial and training gap that underserved military veterans face when building a small business. This…

PeopleFund Chosen To Join Starbucks Community Resilience Fund

PeopleFund is excited to announce that we have been selected to receive funding as part of Starbucks Community Resilience Fund.  The funding awarded to PeopleFund will support small business growth projects in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.  Starbucks has given PeopleFund access to a $3 million, 10-year credit to…

PeopleFund is excited to announce that we have been selected to receive funding as part of Starbucks Community Resilience Fund.  The funding awarded to PeopleFund will support small business growth projects in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.  Starbucks has given PeopleFund access to a $3 million, 10-year credit to…

Client Spotlight: Tires Square

Have you ever visited a tire shop and been frustrated by the lack of quality customer service? Garis and Mary Machado felt the same way and decided to do something about it. Thus, in June 2020, Tires Square was born in Katy, Texas. At the forefront of their business, Garis and Mary instated a mission to provide the best customer service to…

Have you ever visited a tire shop and been frustrated by the lack of quality customer service? Garis and Mary Machado felt the same way and decided to do something about it. Thus, in June 2020, Tires Square was born in Katy, Texas. At the forefront of their business, Garis and Mary instated a mission to provide the best customer service to…

PeopleFund receives Financial Assistance Award from U.S. Department of Treasury

PeopleFund is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as a 2021 CDFI Financial Assistance awardee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI). This generous $676,000 award will allow the organization to further expand its lending and education services in underserved communities across Texas. Over…

PeopleFund is thrilled to announce that it has been selected as a 2021 CDFI Financial Assistance awardee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI). This generous $676,000 award will allow the organization to further expand its lending and education services in underserved communities across Texas. Over…

Hispanic Heritage Month Employee Spotlight: Martha Victoria Valdez

During this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, PeopleFund is proud to feature our very own Martha Victoria Valdez, Senior Economic Development Officer of South Texas. Martha was born and raised in Laredo. Growing up, she spent a lot of time with her grandmother, Julia, originally from Juarez, Chihuahua, who taught Martha how to make many traditional Mexican dishes such as…

During this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, PeopleFund is proud to feature our very own Martha Victoria Valdez, Senior Economic Development Officer of South Texas. Martha was born and raised in Laredo. Growing up, she spent a lot of time with her grandmother, Julia, originally from Juarez, Chihuahua, who taught Martha how to make many traditional Mexican dishes such as…

Hispanic Heritage Month Client Spotlight: John Zapata, Speed Junction Xpress Auto Care

Speed Junction Xpress Auto Care, one of the first mobile quick lube companies in the Houston/Baytown area, revved their engine up for the first time earlier this year. Owner, John Zapata, started this business venture after the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to resign from the small car dealership and…

Speed Junction Xpress Auto Care, one of the first mobile quick lube companies in the Houston/Baytown area, revved their engine up for the first time earlier this year. Owner, John Zapata, started this business venture after the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to resign from the small car dealership and…