Philadelphia District Office Success Stories

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SBA Helps Nations Oldest Ice Cream Company Tap Exploding International Markets

When America’s oldest ice cream company — Philadelphia’s Bassetts Ice Cream — first opened in1861, international product distribution was unthinkable. Founder Lewis Dubois Bassett, a Quaker school teacher and farmer, made and...

Pennsylvania Culinary Firm Writes Own Ticket for Success

Kathy Wolper has some advice for fellow-small business owners: take full advantage of every business-building opportunity. But, for Wolper, as with many small business owners, opportunity isn’t always easily recognized or easily tapped....

Home-Grown Philadelphia Firm Preserves 180 Jobs and Reinforces City’s Maritime Industry Prominence, Thanks to SBA Funds

Not so very long ago, much of the storied Philadelphia Navy Yard lay dormant. Once a vibrant hub of the nation’s maritime industry — employing 40,000 at its height during World War II and building and launching the likes of the...

The Opportunity Maker: Bethlehem’s Self-Made Success Dr. Sylvia Medina Brings Message of Hope to Local Youth and Entrepreneurs

Raising the bar—for herself, her employees, her patients and her community. It is all in a day’s work for Lehigh Valley optometrist Sylvia Medina, O.D. Drawing on her own life’s journey, which includes an incredible...

America's Oldest African-American-Owned Travel Agency Takes on the Future with SBA

Post World War II America was a booming economy, but a nation divided. With few exceptions, the era’s institutionalized segregation prevented African Americans from sharing in that prosperity. But, in Philadelphia, an upstart black...

Southeastern Pennsylvania Firm League Collegiate Wear Emerges from Flood, Fire with the Help of SBA Disaster Loans

Disaster does not always strike the business on the 6:00 news, in some other town, or some more natural-disaster-prone region. It can occur anywhere, at any time. And, for the unprepared small business owner, an unanticipated tangle with nature...

2006 SBA National Small Business Person of the Year

Eric Hoover was born and raised in Conneaut Lake, a small town in northwest Pennsylvania. At an early age, Eric was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and although doctors predicted he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair, Eric was...

Small Business Owner is Named SBA Exporter of the Year

Donald Shepherd President of AR Worldwide (AR), manufactures electronics in Souderton, Pa., is the 2005 winner of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Exporter of the Year award. The award recognizes his expansion into...

Small Business Owner Receives Express Loan for Growth and Expansion

The events of September 11, 2001 had a dramatic affect on Americans, especially those who lived and worked in New York City. Maureen Conallen-Doran was an assistant manager in Manhattan for a large retailer. In the wake of 9-11, Maureen packed up...

Kane is Able, Inc: Still trucking after all these years

It began as a one-truck operation during the height of the Great Depression. Edward J. Kane, an insurance salesman with a family to support, was faced with dwindling sales. In 1930, he traded his car for a used truck and provided local hauling to...

SBA Helps Family Business Survive and Thrive

In 2001 Lance and Angela Ulen, owners of Hooper Memorial Home, wanted to move their nearly century-old, family-owned business. They found a new location, but knew the financing process would be a challenge. The Ulen’s turned to the programs...

Minority-owned HUBZone Business Owner Named Minority Small Business Owner of the Year

Craig T. Williams takes pride in knowing that he has built a successful business in the construction industry. As the President of Pride Enterprises, Inc. (PEI), a Norristown-based general contractor and construction management company, Craig...

8(a) Certified Business Benefits From Faith-based and Community Initiative Program, Receives 7(a) Loan, Surety Bond

When Jimmie Lee Perryman, Sr. founded Perryman Building and Construction Services, Inc. in 1961, his philosophy was simple: “a quality job performed by quality people always counts.” This straight-forward philosophy was the source from...

Allentown Fragrance Manufacturer Receives 7(a) Loan for Expansion

Are you tired of working for someone else? Have you ever dreamed of owning your own business? In 1992, that dream came true for Kevin Rhodes, President and founder of Fragrance Manufacturing Incorporated (FMI). With the help of a loan backed by...

Minority-Owned Business Starts Business Plan with SBDC and Achieves Growth

Mike Pearson, President and owner of Union Packaging, LLC (UP) in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, founded his business in 1999 with 12 employees and minimal sales. His vision was to create a minority-owned packaging company that understands and delivers top...