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The stories below demonstrate AltCap’s mission-based lending and our commitment to providing financing that positively impacts borrowers and their communities.
AltCap Stories
Uncorking Gratitude: Blanc Champagne Bar is Celebrating Everyday Moments
Kansas City’s Jordin Johnson is set to open Blanc Champagne Bar, which aims to redefine how champagne is enjoyed by celebrating everyday moments. Blanc will feature a diverse, predominantly female staff, while supporting local brewers, chefs, artists, and small businesses with rooftop pop-up events.
Empowering Creatives: How The Next Paige Is Creating More Opportunities for Local Performers, Artists
Elaina Paige Thomas, founder of The Next Paige Agency, is empowering local creatives in Kansas City. Since its launch in 2021, the agency has generated more than $400,000 in work for local artists and performers in film, television, and theater without requiring them to leave their hometown.
Tough Chiefs Loss Propels Kansas City Artist to Launch Winning Business
Kansas City artist Deante Howard transformed his passion for "elevated graffiti" into a successful business after a lucrative day selling prints at a Chiefs game, marking his launch as a professional artist.
Diverse Music, Local Artists Shine at Celebrate AMERI'KANA
Hosted in Kansas City's Historic Northeast, Celebrate AMERI’KANA brought together national, local, and youth performers to celebrate the city's rich and diverse music scene.
KCK Beauty School Owner is Turning Students’ Hobbies into Small Businesses, 6-Figure Careers
Liley Villazan, owner of Magnolia Beauty Academy, empowers people across the Kansas City metro by turning their hobbies into six-figure careers as nail technicians.
Before Restaurant’s Debut, This KC Founder’s Expansion Was Threatened by Predatory Loans
The Russell’s owner, Amante Domingo, needed cash quickly for a new HVAC system at his restaurant. The financing’s predatory rates, however, nearly de-railed his plans to open another eatery.
$11M Renovation Adds to Lincoln Building’s History of Entrepreneurship, Community Connection
Henry Service purchased the Lincoln Building in 2017 and plans to preserve its legacy as a nucleus of community connection and Black entrepreneurship.
Merging Mediums: Coloratura Founder Aims to Democratize Creativity with ‘Musical Paintbrushes’
Coloratura founder Camry Ivory hopes her company will show the world that “creativity is a universal trait we all have within us.” She created the Coloratura, which allows artists to create electronic music and analog art simultaneously using musical paintbrushes.
Photo Gallery: The 2023 AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition
Check out some photos from the 2023 AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition.
Report: Artists Face Challenge of Smaller Audiences in Post-Pandemic America
As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Endowment for the Arts has unveiled research highlighting a rough development for how Americans engage with artists.
From Prize Money to Patient Impact: How Diversity Telehealth Fuels Health Access
Dr. Shelly Cooper leveraged her $25,000 prize money from the AltCap Your Biz Pitch Competition to better provide health care to children from low-income communities.
From Health Crisis to Startup: How Eve Beverage’s Founder Turned Adversity into Inspiration
Janae’ Barnett’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, which served as the spark to her launching Eve , a functional beverage company that hopes to inspire healthy lifestyles.
Dispelling 5 Common Misconceptions of the New Markets Tax Credit Program
While it may seem straightforward, the New Markets Tax Credit is often misunderstood. To clear up confusion, we’d like to dispel a few common misconceptions we encounter when talking to folks about the program.
Defying Doubters: How a Determined 24-Year-Old Built His Dream Gym in Springfield
Brenden Coker encountered plenty of skeptics en route to launching his first business. The roadblocks, however, only strengthened Coker’s entrepreneurial resolve to start Gymnetix, a gym based in Springfield, Missouri.
Historic El Torreon Continues 96-year Evolution with Redevelopment, New Markets Tax Credits
The redevelopment of El Torreon represents a partnership to bring new life to a historic music and community venue that will serve Kansas City for generations to come.
Monarch Conservatory transforms abandoned Blue Springs car wash into dance studio
With the help of two AltCap loans over five years, the Monarch Conservatory recently expanded its arts business into a 7,000-square-foot studio space in Blue Springs, Missouri.
‘We weren't going to get that project done’ — How the New Markets Tax Credit helped fuel the Linwood YMCA
Learn how the New Markets Tax Credit helped fuel the Linwood YMCA’s $10.3 million renovation in 2015 that continues to serve as a vital health and community space for the area.
Cafe Cà Phê Founder Forges Community, Culture and Inclusivity in Columbus Park
As a first-generation, Vietnamese-American woman, Jackie Nguyen envisioned a shop that cultivates a culture around its coffee — and curates a space where Kansas City’s Asian-American community could feel welcome and celebrated.
AltCap Relief Fund Impact Report for 2021
Together we made a difference. Our impact during the COVID-19 pandemic helped to propel many entrepreneurs in the KC area.
AltCap Borrower Leans On Relief Funding To Stay Afloat
Yogurtini’s Isaac Collins reflects on the importance of community support during COVID-19
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For more information, submit the form to the right or contact Bobby Burch, Marketing Manager, at bobby@altcap.org.