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Success Stories

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The success of our borrowers, partners and depositors is the real story behind Self-Help. Learn more about them here.

Ashtae Products Inc.: This wife and husband team launched Ashtae Products over ten years ago by taking out an SBA 504 loan, a mortgage on their house and even borrowing from loyal customers.
Delia Allen: Ms. Allen buys a home in the newly revitalized neighborhood of Walltown in Durham, North Carolina.
Encore Sporthorse Dressage Training Center: “My business has doubled. I have 15 horses in full training now, which is a phenomenal increase in business due to the quality of facility we were able to buy. --Susie Wiedman, Owner
City Cafe & Unique Systems: This SBA 504 loan helped transform an eyesore into a small-town anchor and sparked a retail renaissance.
German Motor Werks of Asheville: “We're gaining on average about one new customer per day, which is terrific.”" -- Scott Spence, Owner & Lead Mechanic
World's Edge: Self-Help partners with the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy to preserve land for a state park.
East Fort Worth Montessori Academy: Texas Charter School Financed By Self-Help
Deposits: Assisting Others in Some Small Way: Sarah Johnson opened a deposit account at Self-Help because "I admire what Self-Help does to help people gain what our family has been so fortunate to have: our own home and a sense of financial stability."
Homeowner Breathes a Sigh of Relief: A homeowner stands in front of her manufactured home newly relieved of the burden of her old predatory mortgage.
Carolina Mattress Guild: “The fire that nearly destroyed our plant was horrible tragedy we barely survived, but something like that makes you really go back and work hard. Using an SBA 504 loan to finance our new building was key to our recovery” -- Neal Grigg, President
Native Angels Home Care: “A lot of people said we wouldn’t make it – ‘it’s a fly-by-night operation’ – but we’re flying high now.” -- Lesa Jacobs, Native Angels
Manufactured Housing Success: Self-Help Credit Union's Affordable Alternative Housing Product (AAHP).
A Great Long-term Investment: Long-time member Eric Wiebe reflects on more than 20 years of investing at Self-Help.
Socially Responsible Personal Investing: Duke professor and philanthropy expert Joel Fleishman describes Self-Help as an example of imaginative foundation grantmaking and a "terrific way to engage in socially responsible personal investing."
Helen Mangum - Microloan Borrower: Durham, NC Hairstylist Builds Her Business with a Self-Help Microloan
Super Compras: Borrower meets the unique needs of Hispanic community with innovative products
Shimar Recycling: Conserving Natural Resources One Small Business at a Time: In 1997 recycling educator Meredith Marley was only in her mid-20s and had no thoughts of becoming a business owner. She now heads up Shimar Recyling in Durham, NC, a thriving non-hazardous waste recycling coordinator for small businesses.
The Fila Academy: “Our philosophy is that when you hit a roadblock in the way of a worthwhile objective you can either look for an escape or a solution. We found our solution in the SBA 504 loan program.”
New Life Child Care Center: Self-Help Borrower Ruby McKinzie helps support her family and her community with an expanding childcare center in Goldsboro, NC.
Durham Homeowner Gives Back With New House: “Without (my Self-Help loan), I might have had another mortgage at 14 percent, 18 percent… and after three months, I wouldn’t have been able to pay. This loan is so affordable, it’s unbelievable.”
Tang Soo Do Karate Center: “Tang Soo Do is about building a community within a community” - Karen Kehoe, co-owner of the Tang Soo Do Karate Center.
A Blessing in Disguise: Self-Help borrower overcomes initial challenges to unveil innovative showroom with large, flowing spaces, 10-foot ceilings, and unique services.