In honor of Women’s History month, we wanted to honor some amazing women, who also happen to be our clients.
October is Women’s Small Business Month, a celebration of women entrepreneurs and the contributions their organizations have made across the country. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 11.6 million women-owned businesses across the country.
TMC Financing was built by women and proudly maintains a staff of over 50 percent women to this day. TMC Founder and CEO, Barbara Morrison is a big believer of ‘lead by doing.’ “It is not enough to talk about promoting diversity and equality in the workplace,” explains Barbara. “You must take action.” Building a company supportive of women has always been a priority for Barbara.
In addition, TMC Financing promotes the growth and development of female and minority-owned businesses throughout California and Nevada. Over the past 10 years, TMC has financed over 400 female-owned businesses.
October is National Women Owned Business Month, so we’d like to honor the month by spotlighting some of the amazing women business owners we have worked with.
Linda Fong, FASTSIGNS
Linda Fong is the owner of FASTSIGNS Oakland. “Our center is in the top 5 percentile of 660 locations worldwide,” Linda proudly states. Linda explains that they have worked very hard to get where they are– but it’s been an amazing journey! Linda’s parents were immigrants from Hong Kong. She remembers being young, her parents speaking very little English, yet both of them working long, hard hours. They sacrificed so much she recalls fondly. She knows she’d never be where she was today, a proud business and property owner, without them.
Linda started the FASTSIGNS franchise with her husband in 1995. FASTSIGNS provides a wide range of visual communication solutions using cutting edge technology and expert consultants to bring their customers the right product for their business. Linda was drawn to the FASTSIGNS franchise because she wanted to use her hands and ‘make things.’
Linda Fong considers Oakland her home. She grew up in Oakland and runs her business in Oakland. Throughout the years she’s seen crazy changes in Oakland. People are flocking to this part of the Bay and she’s felt the changes firsthand. “People are now discovering what a beautiful city it is. The diversity, the people, the environment, the weather, the architecture.” Seeing rents double and triple throughout the years, Linda knew that to keep her business operating out of her beloved Oakland, she had to own her own building. Linda contacted TMC Financing and successfully purchased two condo units in the Peralta District with only a 10% down payment.
“Having this building now gives me peace of mind. I can concentrate on growing my business,” declares Linda.
Ranjini Venkatachari, Sunshine Academy
Ranjini Venkatachari is co-owner and educator at Genius Kids in San Ramon, CA. Genius Kids is an award winning accelerated after-school program for Grades K – 6, specializing in math, science, social studies, language Arts, public speaking. The center also provides various enrichment activities like yoga, chess, S.T.E.M, fine arts. Ranjini is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business focusing on office administration, publicity, social media and recruiting.
Not only is Ranjini an administrative educator but she is an extremely talented artist working primarily with colored pencils. Ranjini has worked with this medium for over 12 years and enjoys teaching art to young children. Her colored pencil art has been in both national and international shows across various countries. Ranjini explains she is “inspired by the finer nuances of simple everyday subjects, I embody my work with a variety of moods by using expressive color and dramatic lighting. Although I prefer to work in a realistic style, I like my art to be a passionate interpretation, rather than a replication of what I see. Light, Color and design excites me and I try to demonstrate how life extends beyond the subject limitations.”
TMC Financing is grateful to have worked with Ranjini to help purchase the property for Genius Kids utilizing the SBA 504 loan program. Ranjini can now continue to use this facility to educate young children in fine arts and share her amazing talents.
Maria Powell, Happy Lashes
Maria was a trained nurse when she discovered her passion for lashes. After one appointment for eye lash extensions, Maria couldn’t believe the transformation. Soon after that first appointment in 2008 – Happy Lashes was born. Maria was hooked and wanted to help others experience the same transformation. Ten years later, the confidence and joyfulness of her customers is still what drives the business.
Maria prides herself on her attention to detail and her topnotch customer service. With 89 five-star reviews on yelp, it seems as though she is indeed making her customers happy, one lash at a time!
Not only is Maria a proud business owner, but also a proud property owner. TMC Financing worked with with Maria to purchase a property in San Francisco for Happy Lashes, utilizing the SBA 504 Loan Program. Maria can now focus on growing her business rather than worry about the rising SF rents and fluctuating occupancy costs.
Megan Moloney, Stoneman Fabrications, Inc.
Stoneman Fabrications prides itself on the hands-on approach they take to every project. Megan and her partner Carlos combine excellent customer service with state-of-the-art fabrication processes and professional installation to give their clients the best quality and value in the industry. Exceeding expectations is what they are all about. Whether it’s a simple project, or one that is extravagantly complex, you’ll feel comfortable knowing that the knowledge, attention to detail, craftsmanship, and personal service that comes from 20 years of experience in the stone industry is behind your project. It’s why Stoneman has such a high referral rate from their clients, and have become the contractor’s go-to people on the Peninsula for their stonework.
TMC Financing is proud to have supported these incredible women and the businesses they built. If you are interested in learning more about how you can support the cause, here is a list of organizations aimed to promote women in the workplace:
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO): NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries; and with chapters across the country. With far-reaching clout and impact, NAWBO is a one-stop resource to propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide.
Financial Women Association (FWA): Financial Women of San Francisco advances the success of women in finance in the Bay Area. Formerly known as “The Financial Women’s Association of San Francisco,” we are an essential source of insight and inspiration to more than 300 financial women throughout the Bay Area.
Women in Commercial Real Estate (CREW): Exists to influence the success of the commercial real estate industry by advancing the achievements of women.
ASTIA: A community of experts committed to propelling women’s full participation as entrepreneurs and leaders in high-growth businesses, fueling innovation and driving economic growth.
Elevate: Help women advance in the workplace, both for themselves and the greater good. We strive to change the culture of business from the inside out – by investing in women
American Business Women’s Organization (ABWA): Bring together business women of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition.