'A Good Journey': Burlington Trolley Tours hits the road with help from VCLF

Jun 24, 2023

Vermont Business Magazine Catherine Turyamureeba can't forget the day she climbed into an Uber and uttered a few words providing directions to the driver. To her surprise, he immediately recognized her distinctive Ugandan accent. Catherine and her driver, Hannington Kasagga, shared that they’d both emigrated to Vermont from Uganda, as had Catherine's sister, Barbara Asiimwe. A friendship - and then a business - was launched.

The three had even more in common. Catherine had built a successful career in the hospitality industry and was now an assistant director at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain hotel. A senior banking officer, Barbara was looking for a new career, maybe in the tourism industry working alongside Catherine. Hannington had worked various tourism-related jobs in Savannah, Georgia, and Vermont. And all three wanted to start a business.

"At the Hilton," Catherine says, "the guests always asked me if there was some kind of transportation available that could take them on sightseeing tours of the area."

"In Savannah, they have trolleys that take the tourists everywhere, and tell them all about the geography, the history, the restaurants," Hannington says with a smile, explaining that the customized vehicles are ubiquitous in that heavily-touristed town. "There was nothing like that in Vermont," he adds.

"So, we came up with Burlington Trolley Tours," says Catherine, confidently.

With a business plan in hand, they met with a bank to discuss a loan. "We had our hopes up," says Catherine. "We waited and waited to hear back from them," says Hannington, "but when we finally heard back, it was no."

Their persistence paid off when they met with the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) where its Executive Director – also a VCLF Board member – Gwen Pokalo Hart directed them to VCLF's new Justice Forward Fund (JFF). The Loan Fund's JFF was designed expressly for New American and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and Vermonters of Color) borrowers, offering a streamlined application process, low-to-zero interest rates, and no minimum credit score or collateral requirements.

"We’re seeing a lot of applications from BIPOC and New American entrepreneurs with great ideas and excellent business plans who don't necessarily have established credit histories, or haven't yet been able to accumulate sufficient assets for collateral," says VCLF's Director of Business and Early Care & Learning Programs, Dan Winslow. "The Justice Forward Fund was designed for them."

Dan met with the trio "He came to our place," Hannington says, amazement still registering in his voice. "He was so patient and helpful, he took us through every step and explained the timeline."

"He simplified a lot of things for us, and explained how the process works," Catherine adds. "When we closed the loan, we did a celebration dance!"

With financing in place, Burlington Trolley Tours used their JFF loan to purchase their trolley, set to arrive before June tours begin. Guests can make reservations online at burlingtontrolley.com for 45 minute tours of Burlington's attractions, tours of Lake Champlain, UVM, fall foliage, breweries or book longer, customized tours for weddings, private parties and more.

"Once we get established, we’ll want to do tours in other parts of Vermont," Catherine says, smiling broadly again.

"The Loan Fund was able to see our vision. Dreams die if people have ideas that others don't believe in. If not for VCLF, our dream would never have become a reality," Catherine says. "Working with VCLF has been a good journey."

Andie's Pet Care, Middlebury

Andie's Pet Care is a BIPOC-owned pet care business offering overnight pet care, dog walking, vet transports, stop-in visits, and the administration of medication at clients’ homes in and around Addison County. When owner Andie Thompson's older vehicle failed recently, she urgently needed a replacement vehicle to travel to and from client appointments. She used a Justice Forward Fund loan to cover costs of a newer/used vehicle and vehicle equipment. The loan preserves one job, and helps preserve care for up to 25 animals!

Ariana Natural Market, Essex Jct. (financed 2 projects)

Wazir Hashimi, who emigrated to Vermont from Afghanistan in 2012, wished to provide the growing local Afghan/Muslim community with Middle Eastern groceries including fresh halal meat, which is processed according to Muslim law and has not been readily available in the area. He used Justice Forward Fund financing and Business Program financing to help cover costs of meat processing, storage & refrigeration equipment, inventory and other startup expenses associated with his new Ariana Natural Market. The loans create four new jobs.

Ascend Housing Allies, South Burlington

Nonprofit startup Ascend Housing provides housing-based supportive services to residents in affordable housing and mixed-income communities, to create housing stability for residents and communities. They provide interventions in tenant/landlord/neighbor disputes; referrals to mental health, substance abuse, vocational, and other social services. VCLF financing helped cover start-up costs including initial payroll and benefits, IT hardware & software and consulting fees. The loan creates two jobs, with one additional job anticipated, and serves 150 Vermonters annually. ascendhousing.org

Downstreet Housing & Community Development/Hubbard Street, Montpelier

For over 30 years, nonprofit Downstreet Housing, a longtime VCLF partner, has been creating and maintaining affordable housing throughout central Vermont. When the owner of a four-unit affordable rental property approached them to purchase it, Downstreet understood the likelihood of rents increasing dramatically if it were sold to someone other than an affordable housing organization. Downstreet used a VCLF loan to buy the property and provide a reserve for renovations. The loan preserves four affordable homes. downstreet.org

Ephraim Cleaning Services, Colchester

Ephraim Cleaning Services is a BIPOC-owned, woman-owned start-up, serving residential and commercial properties. Owner Charlotte Bole came to VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund to finance the purchase of cleaning equipment, home office furnishings, cleaning supplies, initial payroll and other start-up expenses. The loan creates two jobs, with one additional new job expected to be created. ephraimcleaning.com

Farmhouse Market, Wilmington (2 loans)

The Farmhouse Market, formerly the River Bend Market, is a longstanding, busy, specialty grocers in Wilmington, with 80% of its inventory coming from local producers. When David Petrie approached the previous owners to purchase the business, its building and inventory, he came to VCLF for a loan to round out the financing. The loan preserved four jobs. facebook.com/farmhouse05363

Haji Driving Academy, Burlington

Noting how lack of access to transportation presents a barrier for New Americans and other disadvantaged persons, new American Aden Haji decided to start an accessible driving academy that would also provide assistance with documentation and paperwork required by the Department of Motor Vehicles. He used a Justice Forward Fund loan to finance a vehicle for student use, vehicle safety upgrades and various startup expenses. The loan creates one new job. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092317646254

Max Razy, Orange

Owner Sharon Pike designs and creates her Max Razy fashion line, apparel for people with disabilities, injuries and other bodily differences. While she sells primarily via her online store at wholesale, Sharon saw an opportunity to increase sales and revenue through expansion into retail shops. She came to VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund loan to cover costs of labor, marketing, and to pay down credit card debt she accrued earlier in the business’ startup phase. The loan preserves one full-time and two part-time jobs. maxrazy.com

MobiTech, Montpelier

MobiTech is an electronics repair shop focusing on the repair of cell phones, tablets, and computers, along with the sale of phone plans, accessories, and used/refurbished mobile devices. Since starting the business in 2016, BIPOC owner Eltayeb Awadalla has encountered rising demand for repairs to video game consoles. Seeing an opportunity to expand, Eltayeb came to VCLF for a Justice Forward Fund to cover costs of equipment and inventory for this new business segment. The loan preserves one full-time and one part-time job. square.site/book/8E46CGH83BG1P/mobitech-montpelier-vt

New American Stone Mills, Morrisville (2 loans)

New American Stone Mills is a leading manufacturer of stone grain mills, highly sought-after by artisanal bread bakers to grind their own grain. Since starting up in 2015, NASM's reputation has grown such that they have sold their mills across the U.S. and Europe. They came to VCLF for financing to cover costs of mill components, development of a smaller-scale mill, website development and other marketing expenses. The loan preserves three jobs and is expected to create one new job. newamericanstonemills.com

Rural Edge, Lyndonville

Nonprofit Rural Edge, a longtime VCLF partner, purchases, rehabilitates and manages affordable housing for families, seniors and special needs residents throughout Essex, Orleans and Caledonia Counties. Additionally, they provide support services and programming to assist in financial counseling and home purchasing & repairs. They came to VCLF for a line of credit to bridge expenses while they awaited payment of housing development fees and grants for multiple projects. ruraledge.org

Shires Housing/Gage St., Bennington

Longtime VCLF partner, nonprofit Shires Housing, owns and manages affordable rental homes throughout Bennington County. Shires approached VCLF to help finance purchase and predevelopment costs (including legal fees, permitting costs, architectural design and more) of Bennington property that will serve as a recovery residence for nine men in recovery from substance abuse disorder. The Turning Point Center will provide residents with support services for reintegration to healthy routines, and transition to permanent housing. shireshousing.org

Vermont Cider Lab, Essex (2 loans)

Vermont Cider Lab, makers of hard cider from locally-sourced apple juice, honey, maple syrup and fruit, came to VCLF for financing to open up their new cidery and tasting room at the Essex Experience - an emerging hub for food & beverage businesses. They used their loans to cover costs of installation of new lighting, insulation, walls and plumbing at the new site, and for purchase of cider production equipment. The loan created two full-time jobs, three part-time jobs, and is expected to create three additional jobs. vtciderlab.com

Village Specialties, Newfane

Village Specialties/Vermont Quince produces jams, vinegars, mustards and other condiments featuring locally-sourced quince, sold via distributors and to wholesale and retail customers. After the pandemic severely disrupted revenues, owner Nan Stefanik reconfigured operations to bring production, product development, shipping and other aspects of the business in-house to her own facility, currently under construction. She used VCLF financing to assist with construction and equipment costs and provide additional working capital. The loan preserves one job. facebook.com/VermontQuince

Young at Heart Ginger Beer, Burlington

Young at Heart Ginger Beer, founded in 2021, is a BIPOC-owned home-brewer of non-alcoholic ginger beer made with organic, local, and fair-trade ingredients. Owner Julian Hackney sells to regional farmer's markets, events and wholesale accounts, and at events. He's been approached by several additional markets and venues but has had to decline based on lack of equipment and capacity. He’ll use a Justice Forward Fund to purchase processing, brewing and storing equipment and working capital, allowing him to say ‘yes’ to these opportunities. https://www.instagram.com/youngatheartvt

Source: 5.31.2023. Vermont Community Loan Fund vclf.org