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George Connors
In 2005, George Connors responded to a “For Help” flyer posted by Color Compounds and Consultants (CCC), a manufacturer of thermoplastic materials that have a variety of uses, including as a flame retardant covering for wire cables. In January, 2007, CCC borrowed $150,000 from the Loan Fund’s Vested for Growth (VfG) program. VfG invests in established companies “going to the next level” that are committed to retaining and creating quality jobs in the state, and sharing decision-making and profits with employees.
I had worked at a company in Massachusetts for 15 years, but I became unemployed when the company moved out of the country. My wife and I decided to change our lifestyle so we started looking at brochures and liked what we read about Seabrook with the ocean, boardwalk and nearby beach. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, to start over like that.
My wife doesn’t drive and when I’d take her to the grocery store, I would see a sign posted that said, “Help Wanted at CCC.” One thing led to another and I drove up and applied. I didn’t know a thing about plastics and formula—how they were blended together. The interviewer said, “I think I’ll put you on blending.” I said, “Whatever you need.”
Now I do everything. From that person with no knowledge, I now train people and I manage the shipping. I’ve gone from a nobody to a somebody!
I like working here very much. I have the support of the owners and other managers. They’ve seen something in me and kept me, and they keep giving me more to do.
I have a sense of pride in having new knowledge. I also have a sense of accomplishment because I can take that knowledge and train other people who come on-board.
I feel confident about our business. We are consistent and we have some good customers. We are very sensitive to their needs. We are focused on them. That’s a very good way to compete in business.
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Licia Sorgi is owner of Paradise Massage in Tamworth, a MicroCredit-NH borrower and member of the Valley Business Links Business Group, and a saver in the Individual Development Account (IDA) Collaborative, both programs of the Loan Fund. Her business was officially opened in September, 2006.
I love palm trees and wanted to create a place that feels like a vacation, like you’re in paradise. I also wanted to be home when I my kids came home. Every day, I walk my kids to school and pick them up with our dog, Thunder, who all the kids love. Paradise Massage is a dream come true
Nine years after I was married, I got divorced and life happened. I bought this house and moved up from Massachusetts. I started massage school, but I couldn’t continue because of the lack of child care and for financial reasons.
I used food pantries until about four months ago and got clothes out of food shelters. I would find toys along the road, clean them up and give them to my kids. I was also getting child support and my housemate helped pay the bills.
But I was still holding on to my dream. I was picking up hours where I could, and then I found out about the IDA program and started saving money for school, which I completed in xxx.
I then joined MicroCredit, which gave me all the tools you need to know to have a successful business. I got great information and feedback from the members of my business group. Claudia [Needham], the regional manager, worked one-on-one with me.
My thinking has evolved so that I think like a business person. When I was scraping by, I’d do anything. Now I set limits. I now have enough clients to keep me busy Another massage therapist contracts space from me. A business group member and I refer to each other. I know I can make a living out of this. Eventually, I’d like to expand the entire business and have a spa.
My children tell me many times a day how great a mom I am and how proud they are of me. They know and I know how hard I’ve worked to get here. I have no regrets. Not one in my whole life. I believe learning comes from everything you do and just makes you stronger.
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Reinetta Jones splits her time as an office assistant and working as an LNA for elderly and disabled clients of Quality Care Partners, the home care agency that is owned by the Loan Fund. QCP is part of the Direct Care Workforce Initiative which is focused on improving the quality of jobs for low wage paraprofessional workers in nursing homes and in home care.
I found QCP in the newspaper. I had been working in a bank and the schedule was crazy. I had to take my youngest to daycare, which meant I had to leave work at a certain time to pick him up or pay more to the child care person.
When I called QCP, they offered to pay for my LNA training. I was excited. Once I finished my training, I wanted to stay. Everyone was so nice. I liked my co-workers. I also received so much satisfaction from helping clients. It is very challenging and most of the time, I like a challenge.
I’ve learned over time how to win over a client who may not, at first, be cooperative. The biggest rewards are when clients thank you, give you a hug even though they are having a hard time. It’s more than a job, really. You are dealing with someone else’s life—their quality of life.
More recently, I’ve been splitting my time between the office work and LNA jobs. In March this position in the office opened up, I applied and was offered the job.
I’ve learned so many things. I understand better how a business runs. I’ve taught myself how to use Excel. It’s valuable to know. Anything I’ve learned over the years has always come into play—I always put things like learning Excel on my resume.
At QCP, employees have a say and are respected.
One time I needed something for my daughter’s school and because I was in good standing, I was able to get a $250 loan. To pay it back, money was taken out of my paychecks. It was very helpful. It is good to know that if you ever come up short, QCP has this program to help.
Now I’m going to school at the Manchester Tech to become an RN. I have two years of general studies and then I’ll go into a nursing program. I want to work with babies. I’ve always wanted to be a nurse.
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