"We do lighting and temperature controls for energy conservation. Our first job was 20 buildings at NIU... And being new, we didn't have a prayer with the banks. I needed materials, manpower and the money to pay for it all. Prairie got us the cash and taught us how to evaluate and avoid risk. We were able to take on major projects right from the start. We went from nothing to one of the top five contractors in the area. Without Prairie, we couldn't have done it."
Ken Brown, President
Banyon, Inc.
Lighting and Temperature Controls for Energy Conservation
Bartlett, IL
"We manufacture and resell digital security equipment and software. Venture capitalists offered to fund us, but we wanted to maintain control. Banks wanted a longer track record. When a major retailer selected us for a nationwide rollout, our sales grew from $100,000/month to $1.3 million/month. That's when we called Prairie Business Credit to craft a deal to fund our growth. Now we're securing a commercial bank line for ongoing capital needs. Prairie provided the bridge we needed to take our business to the next level."
Bill White, CFO
Focus Micro, Inc.
Manufacturer of Digital Security Equipment and Software
Redmond, WA
"I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been able to stay in business... Then my banker introduced me to Prairie Business Credit. They took on my receivables and helped me make my payables, eliminate penalties and interest charges. Now we're profitable and I can finance myself. Why did I work with Prairie? I couldn't afford not to."
Jack Gebhart, President
Phoenix Crane Rental
Industrial Equipment Rental
Sugar Grove, IL
"Banks only give you money when you don't need it. When you're a very small company selling to a retailer with 500 stores, you better have the cash to cover product, payroll and packaging. If we had to wait 30-60 days for payment we'd never be able to ship. But banks didn't take our little company seriously. Prairie Business Credit did. They got us financing so we could get the product out. My next goal is to get us known nationally. But I couldn't do it without Prairie. I'd recommend them 150%."
Gloria Lissner, President
Fido Food Fair, Inc.
Custom Baked Animal Food
Chicago, IL
"We knew our industry inside out, but that didn't count with the banks. We had experience running one of the biggest staffing companies in the country. But when we decided to go it alone in skilled industrial and clerical staffing, we couldn't get a loan without an income statement. Prairie's cash helped us open the doors. And their reality checks keep us focused on building solid customer relationships. Today, ninety nine percent of our placements become permanent. Prairie demands the same excellence. They have made all the difference in the world."
Steve Buschkopf and David Sparkman, Founders
Keystaff
Skilled Industrial and Clerical Staffing
West Chicago, IL
"We needed money and good advice. We have a very seasonal business and we had real cash flow problems starting out. You figure a finance company is going to be pretty cut and dried. But Prairie Business Credit gave us more than cash. They actually helped us map out a financial future. Their taking over our collections kept us producing. They gave us control of our own destiny."
Charlie Subecz, President
Harmony Industries
Musical Equipment Supplier
Elk Grove, IL
"I'm convinced that most of my clients could never get their ideas off the ground... for lack of capital. I get inventors' products to market without putting their personal assets at risk. I need cash to make ideas reality. Prairie gets me short term cash fast. I can secure purchase orders from retailers - orders that get products produced. My clients get the thrill of seeing their products on the shelf. Prairie helps us realize dreams."
Brian Clark, President/CEO
Access Distribution, LLC
Retail Distribution
New Berlin, WI
