It was a joy to work with Shirley. She understood the business and why this acquisition would be a good step in helping the Walker Agency expand. The team at Dogwood State Bank was responsive, something that is rare in this day and age. Dogwood and Shirley understood my vision and knew which SBA Program to make it work. Without a doubt, I would recommend Dogwood State Bank to other small business owners. They are number 1 in my book right now.
Client Profile
The Walker Agency is an insurance agency located in Duluth, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. Since 2012, they have provided an ever-increasing scope of insurance services and products, include healthcare insurance for small and large businesses, Medicare supplement insurance, P&C, commercial insurance for businesses, including workers’ compensation, homeowners’ insurance, and more. The Walker Agency is an independent provider licensed in 14 different states. As a full-service insurance agency, the Walker Agency offers a unique benefit to its clients and strives to prioritize customer service above all else. Their insurance plans are custom-tailored to each client to ensure every client is treated fairly and provided the best possible product for their needs.
Loan Profile
Mychal Walker spent the early years of his career in telecommunications, eventually deciding to start his own telecommunications business, where he focused on providing services and products to the federal government. During his time in this business, Mychal discovered the opportunity within the insurance field and eventually decided to exit his business and move toward insurance. Though he started solely in the Medicare space, Mychal has continued to expand his business through the years, leading him most recently to pursue the acquisition of another insurance company This transaction further aligned with his vision to be a full-service insurance agency and expand the Walker Agency’s footprint. Having pursued an SBA loan before, Mychal was aware of the unique opportunity the SBA Program afforded small business owners, opening doors where conventional loan programs often cannot and providing guidelines to protect small businesses and aid in negotiations with the seller. He first connected with Business Lending Specialist, Shirley Polanco, through Dogwood State Bank, where he had established a banking relationship. Together, Mychal and Shirley were able to secure an SBA 7(a) Loan for the acquisition, allowing Mychal to reach his goal.
To learn more about the SBA Program and get to know Business Lending Specialist, Shirley Polanco, explore our website! Dogwood State Bank is proud to often a full suite of SBA products for a variety of small business needs. Start your loan today!
