Bootstrap Montana Loan Program Makes First Award
Kimberly Loftus, owner and sole employee of Kim Loftus Tile, Jefferson City, M.T., is the first recipient of a Bootstrap micro-loan. Her emerging hand-made tile business is at a critical point where expansion could be the key to its success. By receiving the loan, she is now able to alleviate this problem by gaining rapid publicity at the nation’s largest floor covering tradeshow, SURFACES, in early 2008, displaying her product to over 40,000 retailers, architects, designers, builders, installers and distributors from around the world. Kim expects to connect with 15 to 20 additional showrooms at SURFACES, which could more than triple her distribution. For more information, contact Kim at kloftus@mt.net.
Quote from Kim Loftus:
"The only way I am able to go to the SURFACES is because of the Bootstrap Loan Program.
I received a call today from a woman named Lizbeth Calandrino.
She owns a magazine called "Fabulous Floors," and is a marketing GURU...
She is going to guide me through some key points to make for this
show, and is interested in writing a story about my work for her
nationally distributed magazine.
I only hope the rest of the recipients of Greg's Bootstrap Montana loans have the same wonderful experience-"
View Kim Loftus Tiles
Bootstrap Montana Loan Program Makes Second Award
Sunrise Pack Station (SPS) of Belgrade, M.T. is the second Bootstrap Montana micro-loan recipient. SPS is owned by Shane McClaflin, a professional guide with seventeen years’ experience in Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. With the company of a cook, a wrangler and a part time fishing guide, Shane guides 3-5 day educational and fishing pack trips through the back country of Yellowstone National Park. Business aspects of SPS are administered by Shane’s wife, Sarah. Founded in March of 2006, SPS has reached a threshold where they can really accelerate their business growth by booking more trips and creating a larger customer base. For more information, contact Shane at shanemcclaflin@sunrisepackstation.com. You can also visit their website at www.sunrisepackstation.com.
Quote from Sarah McClaflin:
"Winter is the season for booking trips but due to very low cash flow, advertising is difficult.
The funds provided by Bootstrap Montana allowed us to generate more widespread interest in our back country trips by attending the
International Sportsman Expo (ISE) in San Mateo, California, January 8-13, 2008.
This expo is early in the booking season which runs from January through March. Our California customers enjoy Yellowstone
National Park and are looking for adventures of this nature.
This loan is important to us because of its timing and 0% interest rate."