A booming graphics business hits the road
When you’re a successful entrepreneur running a booming local business, what’s next? For Erick Rivera, the founder of Agape Creative Printing, the answer was to recreate that success more than 1,300 miles away from Agape’s operation in Miami Gardens, Florida.
In Florida, Agape built a reputation for expert screen/digital printing and embroidery on high-quality apparel and promotional products — everything from basic t-shirts to sweatshirts, swimwear, and business uniforms.
Investing in the journey calls for working capital.
"We were doing just great," says Rivera. "But after four years in Miami Gardens, I saw an opportunity to relocate our operation to Addison Texas — and I knew it would be a smart move that would benefit both the business and our staff. I also knew I’d be facing some challenges in recreating our success in a totally new community," he adds. Among those obstacles Rivera faced were securing the capital needed to move the physical business and then fostering organic growth for the Agape brand in a new community.
"I needed to cut costs while also ensuring a seamless relocation," says Rivera. "I tried working with several local lenders, but despite our success and being in business for four years, it was almost impossible to get working capital quick and easily," he adds.
I tried working with several local lenders, but despite our success and being in business for four years. it was almost impossible to get working capital quick and easily.
— Erick Rivera
Fora Financial steps up.
Soon after Rivera filed an application with Fora Financial, its capital specialist got busy on building a plan to secure Agape what it needed to relocate while maintaining cashflow. "I was astounded at how Fora Financial took such interest in learning our operations and understanding my plans," says Rivera. "I honestly didn’t expect it was going to be easy to explain the move, and why it would be good for the business, but they got it!"
Now, Agape is becoming a go-to vendor in Addison. "I’m thankful to Fora Financial for supporting our move to this new and exciting place full of possibilities for my team and me."
Why Fora Financial
Why Agape Chose Fora Financial:
A willingness to understand the firm’s short- and long-term financial needs.
Personalized one-on-one support throughout the funding process.
Fast, flexible, hassle-free funding.