Racine County, WI – Burlington’s Skyline Landscape Design and Racine’s Renew Medical Aesthetics, both women-owned, recently expanded their businesses by utilizing Business Lending Partner’s (BLP) financial resources.
BLP is the finance specialty area of the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC). The BLP team administers financial resources that include resources to support the growth of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE), such as women-and ethnic-minority-owned businesses, and veteran-owned businesses.
Christina Multhauf, the owner of Skyline Landscape Design, used Racine County’s Matching Grant Program (MGP) to grow her leadership skills, while Tristah Romero-Kelly, owner of Renew Medical Aesthetics, used the ZERO Loan Program to purchase new equipment and access working capital.
Skyline Landscape Design
Multhauf’s experience in landscape began at the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, where she studied Ornamental Horticulture, and more specifically, Landscape Design. She started Skyline Landscape Design with a partner, and eventually became sole owner.
Along with her husband Jamie, who assists with equipment maintenance, Multhauf’s staff of eight are all women, ranging in age, work experience, and education.
Multhauf used the MGP to hire a business coach and invest in a new Customer Management software, which helped her increase efficiency, hire additional employees, and increase the wage level of her employees.
The MGP reimburses up to 50% of eligible costs (up to $5,000 per applicant) to small and medium sized businesses within Racine County. Like Multhauf, businesses can use these funds for consulting, training, or marketing purposes. Grant applications can be found at: https://blp504.org/community-loans/racine-county
Renew Medical Aesthetics
Having to close shop for several months during the pandemic, Romero-Kelly used one of BLP’s latest financial resources, the ZERO Loan Program, to reopen effectively and prepare for an influx of customers.
After earning her M.S. in Nursing in 2014, Romero-Kelly received her Nurse Practitioner License for Wisconsin and Illinois.
When Renew Medical Aesthetics started in 2019, Romero-Kelly worked part-time. As the customer-base grew and demand for their services increased, she went full-time and eventually hired more employees.
Today, Romero-Kelly’s team offers an array of non-surgical services, such as botox, dermaplaning, facials, platelet rich plasma (PRP), microneedling, and chemical peels. They also provide products that aid in treatments to encourage clients’ skin care routines.
The ZERO Loan Program, provided in partnership with Community State Bank, allowed Romero-Kelly to purchase new equipment, upgrade furniture, and access working capital. With this investment, Romero-Kelly will be able to hire two additional employees. This funding will also help her with her future planning that may result in a new, larger location.
“The Zero Loan Program is there to assist small businesses,” said Romero-Kelly. “BLP truly cares about the success of your business and has made every effort to help Renew grow into its fullest potential.”
The ZERO Loan Program was established after RCEDC received a grant of $3.6 million from the US Economic Development Administration. The loan program was established to help small businesses affected by the pandemic. The ZERO Loan program boasts attractive terms including no interest until July 2022, no processing fees, and reduced closing costs.
For more information about any of BLP’s financial services, please contact BLP’s Loan Officer, Wesley Walsh, at (262) 898-7436 or Wesley@rcedc.org.