Starting or growing a small business can come with a lot of questions. Knowing where to turn for guidance, education, or funding can sometimes feel just as challenging as running the business itself. Thatʼs why strong partnerships are so important.
At PIFS, we believe there is no wrong door when it comes to finding support.
Whether an entrepreneur starts with PIFS, the Small Business Development Center SBDC , a local financial institution, or another community partner, our goal is to help connect them with the resources that best fit their needs.
Connecting Entrepreneurs to the Right Resources
PIFS is a Community Development Financial Institution CDFI) that works with entrepreneurs at all stages, from those developing a new business idea to established businesses looking to expand. We provide access to capital while also connecting business owners with valuable resources and guidance.
The SBDC is another important part of this support system. With centers across Virginia, SBDC advisors provide free, one-on-one assistance to entrepreneurs, helping them navigate questions and challenges as they build their businesses. By working together, PIFS and the SBDC can help entrepreneurs access a broader network of support.
Partnerships Create Opportunities
For more than 20 years, PIFS and the SBDC have helped businesses move forward. One example is a home inspector who was looking to purchase a franchise but needed additional guidance and financial support to make the opportunity possible. The SBDC connected him with PIFS, creating a path to the resources and financing he needed to take the next step.
That partnership helped turn an opportunity into a new business. Today, the franchise is up and running and already seeing success within its first year.
Stories like this show what is possible when organizations work together.
