Stories from some of our Borrowers
De La Chiva Dairy, LLC
De La Chiva Diary is a small family owned dairy with aspirations of becoming a commercial dairy offering uncompromising goat dairy products including milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, and butter.
"It has been very meaningful to receive support from Local Matters. We were able to purchase some necessary equipment, cheese molds and market equipment with the loan.
"The individual support from the members has been amazing.
"We are proud to be supported by Local Matters and are very grateful they care about our community."
- Kathy
"The individual support from the members has been amazing.
"We are proud to be supported by Local Matters and are very grateful they care about our community."
- Kathy
Happy Leaf Kombucha began in Denver, Colorado in 2013 armed with passion and experience in the craft beer and nutritional health industries. They create delicious, beautifully balanced and healthy kombucha. From their humble beginnings selling kombucha at a local Farmers Market they have grown quite rapidly. They now have their own taproom & kitchen and their product can be found on tap at dozens of outlets and at Farmers Markets around Colorado. They remain community focused and strive to be environmentally sustainable with strict quality standards and an innovative spirit using organic, seasonally driven ingredients.
"When we were introduced to Local Matters we were instantly welcomed and felt comfortable in group of genuinely interested investors. It can be a scary thing raising money for a start up business, and working with Local Matters made us feel like we were being supported by our own community.
"Over the past year we have formed incredibly useful and enjoyable relationships that have helped Happy Leaf grow. We would recommend any company serious about their investors to speak with the Local Matters group."
"Over the past year we have formed incredibly useful and enjoyable relationships that have helped Happy Leaf grow. We would recommend any company serious about their investors to speak with the Local Matters group."
Ozuké is a 5 year old, women run fermentation company that makes 100% organic krauts, kim chi and pickles from local produce.
"The Local Matters Loan helped our company make deposits for early crop planning with farmers. This gives them (and us) some security going into the growing season. It also helped purchase some much needed packaging equipment which has helped streamline our process at the plant.
"We love what we do and this loan helped us do it better. Thanks!"
- Willow and Mara
Rocky Mountain Fresh has been growing greenhouse produce in Colorado since 2011. They utilize hydroponic, pesticide free practices inside greenhouses and natural practices outside. They grow many varieties of tomatoes and other vegetables selling the produce to restaurants, grocery stores, school districts, and several farmers markets.
"With the support of a loan received by Local Matters, Rocky Mountain Fresh was able to afford the expenses associated with the startup of a new season, including growing supplies, materials, and costs related to the greenhouse.
"Without this loan we wouldn't have been able to make it through the slow months to the time when we start making sales again. We are grateful for being able to secure financing to help us out through the slow season!"
"Without this loan we wouldn't have been able to make it through the slow months to the time when we start making sales again. We are grateful for being able to secure financing to help us out through the slow season!"
The Urban Farm Company
The Urban Farm Company's mission is to make it as easy as possible for people to grow their own fresh, healthy food right in their backyard. They install raised bed organic vegetable gardens for homeowners and businesses using a great soil mix and simple gardening method that makes is easy for beginner gardeners to grow a lot of food in a small space. After planting, they provide extensive help and education throughout the season to ensure new gardeners are successful.
"The LMI loan has been tremendously helpful in allowing our company to grow over the past several years. We have used the LMI loan for working capital to help fund inventory and other business expenses prior to the busy garden-installation season.
"Like most home services or landscaping companies, business growth is capital intensive, and strong seasonal demand requires significant up-front investment each year. This often leads to cash management challenges.
"The LMI loan has allowed us to grow while maintaining healthy cash."
"Like most home services or landscaping companies, business growth is capital intensive, and strong seasonal demand requires significant up-front investment each year. This often leads to cash management challenges.
"The LMI loan has allowed us to grow while maintaining healthy cash."