I had a lady requesting money to expand her combination beauty salon and flower shop. We see a lot of creative business ideas. Villarreal said the four workshops were so successful the One Stop center will hold similar sessions each quarter. Wells Fargo business banker Faye Koeplin, who worked a table at the lending fair, said the One Stop concept seems to be working. Wells Fargo is one of 15 banks with a permanent presence at the One Stop center.
People feel like they get less of a run-around.
Getting information is the key, she said. Businesses located in the empowerment zone, for example, can apply for loans from Accion Texas at 6 percent interest, said Vasquez, but if they don't come to the center, they may not know it. It depends on whether they've borrowed from us before. Repeat customers who pay on time can get a lower rate. Sometimes, small-business owners can feel like they're getting pushed aside.