Zonia
Shining Star Daycare
Loan Amount: $10,000
Challenge: A loan and business advice in 2007 helped Zonia build a daycare which now employees 3 full-time assistants and cares for 23 children. A second loan will help her make improvements to her facilities.
Result: With a $10,000 loan, Zonia was given the financing she needed to stay in business. She is regarded as an invaluable resource in her community, and there is a waitlist for her daycare!
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Vicci
Saving for her business
Challenge: Having recovered from a traumatic car accident 20 years ago, Vicci wanted to help others get back on track through a life coaching business.
Result:  Although her business is just one year old, Vicci has big plans for the future. With her savings, Vicci has been able to realize her dream of giving the “gift of a normal life” to others.  “Sometimes victory is just being able to look at your feet.”
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Diana and Laura
The Watershed Nursery
Loan Amount: $10,000 Challenge: Diana and Laura were supplying environmental restoration projects around the Bay Area with native plants from their nursery, but had run out of space in their original location.
Result: A $10,000 loan allowed The Watershed Nursery to move from their original site in the Berkeley hills to a more visible and accessible location in Richmond, CA.
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Abdullah
Saving for Citizenship
Challenge: Six years after being granted entry into the United States as a refugee, Abdullah decided that he wanted to try to become a citizen but was unsure of how he could pay the expensive fees to apply.
Result: Abdullah learned to maintain a budget and managed to set aside $57 per month in his Microsavings account. Within 6 months he was able to use his savings to submit his application for citizenship! 
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Diana
Diju Jewelry
Loan Amount: $1,500
Challenge: Diana opened up her jewelry shop with the help of local nonprofits. But, when she wanted to increase her profits by selling more jewelry, she didn't have enough money to pay for the inventory up front.
Result: A loan from Opportunity Fund helped Diana to expand her business and raise her FICO score from 633 to 654.
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Obdulia
Family Auto Repair
Loan Amount: $10,000
Challenge: When Obdulia was laid off, she decided that she wanted to be her own boss. Using their savings, Obdulia and her husband used open an auto shop, but needed help to continue making important improvements.
Result: With a $10,000 microloan Obdulia and her husband purchased tools and built an administrative office for Obdulia to manage the business from.  
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Michelle
Saving for a home
Loan Amount: $7,500
Challenge: As a single mother of two, Michelle dreamed of owning a house for her family. After being on the wait list for seven years, her name finally came up to purchase a below-market-rate home in Morgan Hill.
Result: Through the IDA Savings program Michelle learned how to manage her budget. With her savings, matched funds and an additional grant, she was able to buy a home.
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Carl
CA Window Cleaning
Loan Amount: $5,000
Challenge: As demand for his services increased, Carl needed to hire a full-time employee. Carl was turned down by traditional banks and left without the means to grow his business.
Result: A loan from Opportunity Fund allowed Carl to hire an additional employee, increase revenues, and take on more customers. As his business expands, he hopes to be able to buy a home for his family.
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Sandra
Saving for her education
Challenge: While raising her family and studying accounting, Sandra realized that she could help individuals and businesses in the Latino community with tax preparation services.
Result: Sandra saved $75 each month in her IDA savings account, and has been able to put that money to help pay for her continuing education and to grow her accounting business.
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Lupita
Day Dreams Therapy
Loan Amount: $5,000
Challenge: Lupe began practicing massage to relieve her son's pain after he was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis. Now the owner of her own clinic, Lupe faced a serious setback when her massage table and computer were robbed.
Result: A $5,000 loan from Opportunity Fund helped Lupe replace the missing items. Now she is expanding her office and hiring more therapists!
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Julie
Bu Tong Acupuncture
Loan Amount: $10,000
Challenge: Julie studied acupuncture and other alternative healing practices, and began operating her services out of her home. In 2009 she was ready to expand, but needed financing.  
Result: With a $10,000 loan Opportunity Fund helped Julie to get her clinic up and running at its new Mission District location.
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Jelica
Saving for a home
Challenge: Arriving as a refugee from Bosnia, Jelica and her two daughters had $10, six pieces of luggage, and a dream to buy a home here in the United States.
Result: Jelica joined the IDA program to save for a home, took classes on money management, and three years later was able to buy a condominium in Santa Clara County.
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Carlos
Macedonia
Loan Amount: $5,000
Challenge: With his first loan from Opportunity Fund, Carlos moved his jewelry repair and cleaning business from his home to the Oakland Swap Meet. When he needed additional financing to continue to grow, he turned to Opportunity Fund for a 2nd loan.
Result: A $5,000 loan from Opportunity Fund has allowed Carlos to expand inventory and grow his business.  
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June
June Bug's Gym
Loan Amount: $2,000
Challenge: A year after June opened her gym, business had tripled and she needed a larger space. A friend who worked at Wells Fargo referred June to Opportunity Fund for a small business loan.  
Result: With a $2,000 loan June purchased the new gym equipment she needed to fill her new space, as well as a computer to help her track her records.
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Agnes
Saving for her business
Challenge: Agnes is running her a successful business at the Ashby Flea Market in Berkeley, but wants to open a storefront so she can sell her goods every day of the week!
Result: Agnes saved $2,000 in her IDA Savings account, and is relieved to say she is out of credit card debt and well on her way towards achieving her goal.
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Rose and Terry
First Discoveries
Loan Amount: $57,000
Challenge: Rose and Terry, a mother-daughter team from Guatemala, wanted to open a preschool but were confronted with a number of unanticipated expenses in the process.
Result: With business advising and a $57,000 loan from Opportunity Fund, Rose and Terry developed a comprehensive business plan and successfully opened their preschool.
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Maria
Saving for her citizenship
Challenge:  Maria moved to California from Mexico in search of more opportunities. She wanted to become a citizen in order to feel a stronger connection to her community, but the cost of taking the citizenship test was out of her reach. 
Result: Maria  learned the tools and incentives to save. By tucking away small amounts of money each month, she was able to afford the test...and passed it with flying colors!
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Joe
Saving for his education
Challenge: Joe, a native of the Bay Area, was struggling to pay his education expenses. He was worried he might have to drop down to part-time enrollment in college in San Jose, where he was studying to earn his degree in graphic design.
Result: Joe is learning to manage his finances while studying full-time. He is proud of the discipline he's learned, and is excited to see what the future holds following graduation.
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Jeremy
Emergency BBQ
Loan Amount: $10,000
Challenge: Jeremy had a successful catering business, but when he sought a loan from a traditional bank he was declined because he did not have the
assets to use as collateral. 
Result: With a $10,000 loan and business advising from Opportunity Fund, Jeremy
was able to obtain the necessary permits and open a storefront for his business.
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Monica
Monica's Shoes
Loan Amount: $3,500
Challenge: Monica started her own flea market business after honing her skills saleswoman selling watches. Now, she runs her own stall selling women's shoes, and is ready to grow the business.   
Result: With a $3,500 loan from Opportunity Fund, Monica will be able to increase the inventory she offers and boost sales.
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Duc
Saving for education
Challenge: Duc knew he could succeed in college if he worked hard, but he was overwhelmed by the financial stress of finding part time work to help pay tuition.
Result: IDA Savings money management classes helped Duc know how to make sound financial decisions and make paying for college possible.
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Jane and Bob
Evolution Suspension
Loan Amount: $10,000
Challenge: When Jane and Bob immigrated from England, they were shocked to discover they couldn't get a loan to start their dream bike shop because they had no credit history in the U.S.
Result: Jane and Bob used the loan for a second work room, two work benches, and a third employee. They now have a renewed sense of hope and momentum.
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Serena
Serene Fitness
Loan Amount: $5,000
Challenge: Serena was able to establish her personal fitness business with a loan from Opportunity Fund in 2007, but needed additional financing to expand her services.
Result: A $5,000 loan allowed Serena to earn new instructional certifications, which in turn helped Serene Fitness weather the economic downturn. 
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Wendy
Saving for her and her son's education
Challenge: Wendy is pursuing a Masters in Accounting degree while her son also attends school. Without her IDA account, it would have taken her twice as long to reach her savings goal. 
Result: Through the IDA Savings Program Wendy honed her money management and budgeting skills, and now continues to save for her family's future.
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Aaron
Aaron's Barrels & Containers
Loan Amount: $4,000
Challenge: Aaron lost his retail space and much of his inventory of eco-friendly containers when a nearby warehouse caught fire.  
Result: With a $4,000 loan Aaron will be able to secure a new place to operate his business out of, and replace some of his lost inventory. The financing arrived just in time- Aaron receives the most orders during the fall harvest and winter rainy season!  
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Yamile
Eagle's Nest Daycare
Loan Amount: $5,000
Challenge: Yamile worked in advertising, but sought more satisfaction from her job. She turned to her passion for teaching and children, and decided to open her own daycare business.
Result: A loan helped Yamile convert her home’s downstairs into an infant-friendly area so that she might realize her dream.
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Alma
Saving for a home
Challenge: Alma and her family wanted to live in their own home, but it at times seemed like an insurmountable challenge.
Result: When Alma found Opportunity Fund, it was like a dream come true. She saved enough to help by a home for her family in San Jose and continues to save for her sons' education.
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Anna
Vision Dance and Pilates
Loan Amount: $10,000
Challenge: After 9/11, Anna quit her job as a flight attendant to pursue her dream of owning her own dance studio. In 2007, her studio was open but she was in need of some financial help.
Result: With a $10,000 loan and business advising, Anna was able to implement a whole new marketing strategy and revitalize her studio.
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Gloria
Parkside Postal
Loan Amount: $1,500
Challenge: Gloria wanted to remodel her business, but her credit score had taken a hit when she took out many lines of credit to start her business.
Result: Today, Gloria is looking to hire an assistant to manage the store while she works a few days a week as a firefighter in Oakland.
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Victoria
Saving for her business
Challenge: After the birth of her daughter, Victoria began dreaming of being her own boss so that she could control her work schedule and spend as much time as possible with her family. Result: Victoria used her Savings to purchase a van to meet the growing demand of her cleaning business. She now has the flexibility of working and having time to take care of her daughter.
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Sunny
5ft2in
Loan Amount: $2,000
Challenge: Sunny had small business classes and a business plan under her belt, but she didn't know how to get the capital she needed to launch her business.
Result: With guidance from Opportunity Fund, Sunny started saving money and cleaning up her finances. And, with a small business loan, she was finally able to launch her company.
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Rosario
Saving for her business
Challenge:  Rosario had been a massage therapist for years and wants to open her own business, but needs a little savings to get here there.
Result: IDA Savings has helped her manage her finances to save the cash she needs and the matching grant will help turn her business idea into a reality.
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