Family secures SBA loan to operate Sowing Seeds Academy
Borrower : Bridget Holt-Taylor, Michael Page, Crystal Holt
Where : Richmond, VA
Loan Amount : $193,000
Project Type : Small Business Association 7(a) Loan
Opportunity
Quality, reliable childcare is critical for working families and ensures economic viability in our communities. Bridget Holt-Taylor and Crystal Holt wanted to purchase the assets of the former Phase II Neighborhood After School and Child Development Center to establish the Sowing Seeds Academy. Bridget Holt-Taylor would direct the academy, while her sister, Crystal Holt, would handle daily operations management. Their cousin, Michael Page, would provide off-site financial advising support.
Located in the Varina community of Eastern Henrico County, Sowing Seeds Academy continues to provide both after-school care and childcare for children as young as 2.5 years old. The new academy is also expanding its services to provide infant care.
Sowing Seeds Academy children benefit from Holt-Taylor’s more than 20 years of experience in education, including directing two earlier childcare centers and as an instructional assistant for Henrico County Public Schools’ New Bridge Learning Center. Holt brings business expertise as a former insurance operations and service analyst.
Solution
Small Business Lending
To help the three academy leaders purchase the existing daycare facility, Virginia Community Capital offered a 10-year Small Business Association 7(a) loan for $193,000, which covers a majority of the $215,000 purchase price. VCC also believes in supporting a women-owned and minority-owned business.
Impact
Sowing Seeds Academy maintains jobs and fills a community need as the population of working-class families in the Varina district continues to grow. Because the academy is currently under capacity, projected growth will support the creation of future jobs, particularly as state regulations require a higher staff-to-children ratio for infant care. Families will continue to have access to quality childcare in a local academy, which includes picking up children from nine elementary and three middle schools for after-school care.