Carolina Community Impact

07/31/2025

Our client made the news!

Congrats to Escazú Chocolates for coverage of their business on ABC11 WTVD.

Watch the story here:

Escazú has been making award-winning, handmade, micro-batch chocolate from Latin American cacao beans since 2008.

07/30/2025

Expanding the movement! 🎉 We’re proud to welcome a dynamic group of leaders to The Alliance! Their leadership is fueling equity and access in the communities we serve.

✨ Please join us in welcoming:
🔹 Reginald Parker (Associate Member), President, Freedmen Green Bank & Trust
🔹 F.A. Johnson, II, Esq. (Associate Member), CEO, Charleston Redevelopment Corporation
🔹 Henry McKoy, President & CEO, Carolina Community Impact
🔹 Martina Edwards, President & CEO, ACE Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs

We’re honored to have these visionaries in our network!

07/28/2025

DTI...Three letters that can stand between you and your loan approval.

Your debt-to-income ratio helps lenders understand if you're financially stretched and how your cashflow looks.

Even if you've paid all of your bills on time, if you're using mostly all of your money to repay debt, there isn't enough room to take on new financial obligations.

Or worse, what happens if your income decreases with the amount of debt you currently have? Which bills are in jeopardy of not being paid?

Read more on our blog about DTI ratios and how you can keep a healthy ratio to improve your loan approval chances:

Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is an important factor lenders use to assess your ability to manage monthly payments. A high DTI ratio indicates that you may struggle to handle additional debt. Keeping your DTI ratio low is a key factor in securing a loan and maintaining healthy business finances. 5...

07/23/2025

Lack of compliance can break a deal.

If your business needs a license or permit to operate, but your paperwork isn't up to date when it's time to apply for funding or request disbursement, you could lose your funding.

In our blog series, read why you need to double-check your regulatory paperwork prior to applying for funding. It'll save you a headache:

When applying for a business loan, lenders will want to ensure that your business is legally compliant and authorized to operate. That’s why keeping your business licenses and permits up to date is a critical step in the loan application process. 5-Step Action Plan to Ensure Business Licenses and ...

07/18/2025

Getting a loan is one thing. Repaying it is another.

While it may be easy to say, "The dough will be rolling in once we use the loan funds to open the business!", the truth is, sometimes it takes time before revenue is steady enough to meet all of your obligations.

Are you prepared to make your loan repayments should it take months to see any real revenue?

In our blog series, we're helping you prepare for your loan by understanding all of the aspects of applying for and using your loan funds. Read this post to prepare to repay your loan:

Having a clear, realistic loan repayment strategy shows your commitment to managing your debt and ensures that your business can continue to thrive even after taking on a loan.

07/16/2025

  The Moore County Chamber of Commerce has announced a local effort to increase the total number of businesses and non-profits participating in the Fam ...

07/14/2025

Get to know your lender. The relationship can help make the loan application process smoother.

Talking with a lender can seem intimidating, but the truth is, building a relationship with your lender is valuable.

Learn the best ways to build a relationship with your lender in our blog post:

Building strong relationships with your bank or financial institution can be a game changer when applying for a small business loan. A solid relationship can help you secure funding faster and with better terms, as banks are more likely to lend to businesses they know and trust. 5-Step Action Plan t...

07/08/2025

What are you willing to put up?

Backing your loan with collateral can be a part of your small business lending process. While the type of collateral can vary, the purpose of the collateral is to offer assurance and insurance to secure your loan should you unfortunately default on it.

Read more about collateralizing your small business loan in our blog series written to help you prepare for the loan application process:

Prepare for your loan: Prepare a Collateral Plan Many small business loans, including those offered by CCI, may require collateral as part of the application process. Collateral acts as a form of security for the lender in case your business is unable to repay the loan. Being prepared with a clear c...

07/08/2025

We couldn't be more happy for our latest client 🍫

Escazú Chocolates is a sweet addition to the North Carolina small business economy. With some of the most decadent, locally made, carefully crafted, chocolate, Escazú Chocolates is a chocolate lover's best destination across the state AND online!

Be sure to stop by and support this small business at their new location:
2409 Crabtree Blvd., STE 124
Raleigh, NC 27604

07/03/2025

🚨GRANT ALERT 🚨
Are you a founder of a growth-oriented startup in the Triangle area searching for non-dilutive funding to grow your business?

Join NC IDEA at First Flight Venture Center for an info session on July 18th to learn how NC IDEA’s MICRO ($10K) and SEED ($50K) grants can help you grow your business. Meet the NC IDEA team, network with other founders, and have the opportunity to ask questions.

July 18, 2025
9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
First Flight Venture Center

2 Davis Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27709

Register to attend the info session at:
https://bit.ly/443RM1j

Cannot attend the in-person info session? Join the webinar on July 15th: https://bit.ly/4eg3jht.

Grant applications open July 28th. Learn more at: https://ncidea.org/fall-2025-grant-cycle/

Join us on Friday, July 18th, at 9:30 a.m. at First Flight Venture Center to gain valuable insight into the NC IDEA MICRO and NC IDEA SEED grant process, network with the NC IDEA team, and meet other founders. Light refreshments will be provided starting a