Liz's Book Bar

 

Maura Cheeks is an author who dreamed of opening her own bookstore, cafe and wine bar. When she approached her local bank about a loan to help fund her vision, they referred her to the Pace University Small Business Development Center for assistance with preparing a business plan and assembling the rest of a loan package.

She was paired with business advisor Greg Callender who guided her on SBA-backed lending programs. Greg also worked with the client on multiple revisions of her business plan narrative and financial projections, before opining that he thought she was well positioned for an approval. When the bank that referred her declined to move forward, Greg introduced Maura to Jason Kohl at Accompany Capital, who ultimately approved her funding request and closed on SBA-backed start-up financing.

In July 2024 Liz's Book Bar, named after Maura's grandmother who helped nurture Maura's interest in reading, had its soft opening on Smith Street in Brooklyn. The business, which created seven jobs, has been met with enthusiastic support from the neighborhood and beyond, and Maura has thus far exceeded the financial projections she and Greg worked on together.

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