Matt was very good. He’s been doing lending for a long time, and that was very evident. Having worked in a lending environment previously, I was very comfortable working with Matt. He explained things clearly and was highly responsive when I had questions. The SBA has a lot of paperwork, but Matt and the bank helped me navigate that. I would 100% recommend Matt and Dogwood State Bank to other small business owners. There are a lot of moving parts, and it’s great to have someone you can count on to help you navigate through.
Client Profile
The Dog Stop is a dog boarding, daycare, and grooming facility located in Knoxville, Tennessee, providing a comfortable home away from home environment for dogs. They also have a retail store, offering high quality foods, treats, toys, supplements, and more! A newer franchise, the Knoxville location is the first location in East Tennessee. The Dog Stop’s focus is on providing a better, all-around experience for the dogs. Their daycare service provides both indoor and outdoor play, and their boarded dogs are incorporated into their daycare program, providing a more comfortable experience for the animals, where they are able to stretch their legs, run around, and have all the comforts of home!
Loan Profile
Business owner Jamie St. Clair came from a background in banking and finance. He had always aspired to own his own business, and after 25 years in the finance industry, decided to explore opportunities in the franchise space. He ultimately decided that The Dog Stop was the best fit for him and his family. As a newer franchise, The Dog Stop still allowed Jamie the opportunity to bring new ideas to the table, while still offering the structure and support of a franchise. In pursuing financing for the franchise startup, Jamie was eventually connected with Business Lending Specialist, Matt Putnam. With a background in banking, Jamie knew the SBA would be the best direction to move forward in, and was attracted to the flexibility the program offered for new businesses. Ultimately, the SBA Program provided the financing needed for both the startup and construction, and a foundation for success moving forward.
To learn more about our SBA Programs and get to know Business Lending Specialist, Matt Putnam, explore our website! At Dogwood State Bank, we provide a full suite of financing solutions designed to help small business owners succeed.
