NOVEMBER STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Q&A with
Noelle Curtis
Sunshine Enterprises’ Access to Capital Manager
Noelle’s relationship with Sunshine started back in 2020 when she was working with a partner organization - New Covenant Community Development Corporation - helping companies access almost $1 million in emergency funding for PPP and EIDL. She explains, “At that time I was also a Sunshine CBA facilitator. I left the non-profit space to focus on several personal company projects in 2021. This past October marked my 1-year anniversary as a Sunshine team member.” The three top responsibilities of Noelle’s position as our “Access to Capital Manager” are: #1 build and document the Credit To Capital Program, #2 design formal client service pathways through the Credit to Capital program and corresponding data/information flows and #3 manage Sunshine’s involvement in the Community Micro Equity Fund (see below) by conducting info sessions, screening applicants, providing pre-funding technical assistance, prepping applicants to pitch their businesses and then provide technical assistance coaching and workshops post-funding. Noelle says her work is very rewarding. When asked to recall memorable moments here at Sunshine she states there are “too many to list… I get ‘gratitude’ emails several times a week.”
Q: What workshops do you manage/teach? Do you have a favorite?
I execute 2 major workshops - The Technical Assistance for the Community Micro Equity Fund and Lender Readiness Bootcamp. I don’t have a favorite. They both provide attendees with information to help develop their company’s and prepare them for current actions and future growth.
Q: How do you create a positive and inclusive environment to help all Sunshine clients succeed?
I really listen to the clients. I hear the confusion and fear expressed by our clients. I give them reassurance that they can accomplish their desired company goals, I’m a sounding board to ensure they are being realistic with their plans.
Q: What strategies do you use to keep Sunshine clients engaged and motivated?
Relatable stories - I try to send them stories that relate to their experiences that I come across in my research. For the bi-weekly coaching sessions, I’m very clear - if you haven’t made any progress, it’s ok, but ask what is their plan for course correction. These sessions start their lending journey and continue after they have secured funding.
Q: What challenges (if any) have you encountered in your position and how have you overcome them?
I have to put disclaimers out when I start coaching sessions—these bank processes are not my opinion. I explain that I’m not trying to stop you from getting a loan or a grant—It’s my job to dismantle false information that so many entrepreneurs have been operating from. There is so much information needed to run a profitable company. I try to ensure they really have a clear focus on one company at a time. I advise having a separated multi-subject notebook for each company idea they have so they don’t creep into each other. I see a lot of clients being reactive to their companies instead of being proactive. They are operating with no clear financial goal, no customer acquisition goal, no sales process, and then they are discouraged that they are not getting the unspoken results they want. I can’t tell you if your company is a good idea or not, but I can help you create a plan to execute the idea you have.
Q: Any final thoughts and/or advice you have for entrepreneurs?
Find time to step away from your company at least one day out of the week. It will recharge you to come back and tackle problems.
Life and time don’t stop for anyone. Manage your time, don’t let it manage you.
The only person standing between you and where you want to be in this entrepreneurial journey is you.
Your company should be compensating you. PERIOD
Never stop learning but implement what you’ve learned to ensure it works.
Set a process, execute it, review it, then adjust it to make it better.
Set realistic timelines for goals, measure 28 days at a time.
You’ll never have 100% of everything you need to move forward. What can you accomplish with what you have?
There is no such thing as an overnight success, every company has a growth cycle.
No one is forcing you to be an entrepreneur. If you don’t like the pressure, get out, there are a lot of companies hiring.