Success Stories
Up one levelA Blessing in Disguise
Self-Help borrower overcomes initial challenges to unveil innovative showroom with large, flowing spaces, 10-foot ceilings, and unique services.
A Great Long-term Investment
Long-time member Eric Wiebe reflects on more than 20 years of investing at Self-Help.
Ashtae Products Inc.
This wife and husband team launched Ashtae Products over ten years ago by taking out an SBA 504 loan, a mortgage on their house and even borrowing from loyal customers.
Blue Ridge Biofuels
A few years ago, in a little shed tucked away on a farm near the Blue Ridge Mountains, a small group of people started to work on some very big things.
Building Green and Affordable
Self-Help finishes up work building the winning design from the N.C. Sustainable Design Competition.
Carolina Mattress Guild
“The fire that nearly destroyed our plant was horrible tragedy we barely survived, but something like that makes you really go back and work hard. Using an SBA 504 loan to finance our new building was key to our recovery” -- Neal Grigg, President
City Cafe & Unique Systems
This SBA 504 loan helped transform an eyesore into a small-town anchor and sparked a retail renaissance.
Delia Allen
Ms. Allen buys a home in the newly revitalized neighborhood of Walltown in Durham, North Carolina.
Deposits: Assisting Others in Some Small Way
Sarah Johnson opened a deposit account at Self-Help because "I admire what Self-Help does to help people gain what our family has been so fortunate to have: our own home and a sense of financial stability."
Durham Homeowner Gives Back With New House
“Without (my Self-Help loan), I might have had another mortgage at 14 percent, 18 percent… and after three months, I wouldn’t have been able to pay. This loan is so affordable, it’s unbelievable.”
Encore Sporthorse Dressage Training Center
“My business has doubled. I have 15 horses in full training now, which is a phenomenal increase in business due to the quality of facility we were able to buy. --Susie Wiedman, Owner
Helen Mangum - Microloan Borrower
Durham, NC Hairstylist Builds Her Business with a Self-Help Microloan
Manufactured Housing Success
Self-Help Credit Union's Affordable Alternative Housing Product (AAHP).
Native Angels Home Care
“A lot of people said we wouldn’t make it – ‘it’s a fly-by-night operation’ – but we’re flying high now.” -- Lesa Jacobs, Native Angels
New Life Child Care Center
Self-Help Borrower Ruby McKinzie helps support her family and her community with an expanding childcare center in Goldsboro, NC.
Shimar Recycling: Conserving Natural Resources One Small Business at a Time
In 1997 recycling educator Meredith Marley was only in her mid-20s and had no thoughts of becoming a business owner. She now heads up Shimar Recyling in Durham, NC, a thriving non-hazardous waste recycling coordinator for small businesses.
Socially Responsible Personal Investing
Duke professor and philanthropy expert Joel Fleishman describes Self-Help as an example of imaginative foundation grantmaking and a "terrific way to engage in socially responsible personal investing."
Tang Soo Do Karate Center
“Tang Soo Do is about building a community within a community” - Karen Kehoe, co-owner of the Tang Soo Do Karate Center.
The Fila Academy
“Our philosophy is that when you hit a roadblock in the way of a worthwhile objective you can either look for an escape or a solution. We found our solution in the SBA 504 loan program.”
World's Edge
Self-Help partners with the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy to preserve land for a state park.
