A new business opened last week in Worthington thanks in part to assistance from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program.
The foundation, in a press release, noted that Sunny & Sprout children’s boutique celebrated its grand opening Aug. 22. Shay VonHoltum and Alex LeBrun opened the new shop this summer with help from
Sunny & Sprout is located at 922 Fifth Ave. in Worthington’s downtown and offers clothing for kids from size 2T to youth XL. VonHoltum has had a passion for fashion and the retail industry as far back as she can remember. Her years of experience working in retail combined with becoming a mom herself inspired VonHoltum to pursue entrepreneurship.
VonHoltum holds a bachelor's degree in family studies and child development and has a full-time job with Des Moines Valley Health & Human Services in Windom that she plans to continue. Meanwhile, she’ll be working at Sunny & Sprout in the evenings with help from her mother and sister. LeBrun operates his own business – LeBrun Trucking – and is a financial partner in the boutique.
Loan proceeds from SWIF helped purchase equipment and inventory and provided working capital for expenses. Loan programs have been a key function of SWIF since its inception to support communities and businesses throughout southwest Minnesota. In 2001, microlending was added to existing programs as a tool to support small businesses and people looking for self-employment opportunities.
Microloan clients also receive free technical assistance from SWIF staff to improve their business management skills. Areas of support include business planning and financials analysis, accounting software training, marketing assistance and other training opportunities for the life of the loan.
This microloan program receives funding assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture. For more information, contact SWIF at 800-594-9480, 320-587-4848 or loans@swifoundation.org.
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