Impact Stories

Small Business. Big Impact. 

We are proud of our clients who add vibrancy to our communities while creating a pathway to prosperity for themselves, their families and their employees. 
 
At LiftFund 26% of our client base includes startups contributing to the local economy and making a difference in their communities. 
 
Read about our clients’ entrepreneurial journey and get inspired by their passion, commitment and resiliency. 

Myreida Salinas

Myreida’s Linens

Myreida opened her linen rental business in 2001, but she dreamed of creating a business that would help clients plan and celebrate important life milestones. She gradually expanded her business to include decor rental and event planning, but she needed a loan to purchase the necessary supplies and rental space. Her sister referred her to LiftFund in 2012, and she used the funds to expand her inventory. She received two Lif

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Women Owned

Sophie Macey

Bayou City Interpreting

At a young age, Sophie Macey learned American Sign Language to communicate with her deaf cousin, Yasmin, and forged lasting friendships with other deaf children throughout her time in school. Upon graduating, Sophie’s aunt encouraged her to pursue an ASL career and follow her passion of bridging the gap between the deaf and hearing communities.

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BIPOC Owned

Reggie Martin and Merinda Watkins-Martin

Lemond Kitchen

Chef Reggie Martin discovered his passion for food at a young age while working for Lemond Catering, his family’s business in Houston, Texas. Reggie eventually teamed up with his wife Merinda Watkins-Martin to take over the family business in 2003.

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BIPOC Owned

Tenisha Rasul

Pak Fair Logistics

Tenisha enjoyed a career in finance while helping her husband, a driver operator, with his business. Inspired by providing more for her family and hoping to ease her husband’s time on the road, she decided to open Pak Fair Logistics in 2013, a transportation and logistics services company in Houston, Texas.

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Debra Sullivan

Happy Houston Pets

Seventeen years and one LiftFund loan later, Debra Sullivan has achieved her dream of financial independence. However, she admits that she couldn’t have dreamed of her small business success years ago when she was working in an office building databases. Her life changed when she lost her job as a result of a merger – not once, but twice within two years.

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BIPOC Owned

Jac’Quay Martin

Kink’d Hair

Despite her successful corporate job and a lack of entrepreneurial experience, Jac’Quay decided to take a leap of faith and opened Kink’d Hair Boutique– a full-retail store specializing in virgin hair for wholesale and individual customers in early 2016, but she still needed working capital to make her vision a reality.

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