Financial Foundations: Ask a Lender (Pre-Recorded)

Do numbers, especially in business, make you nervous? We are introducing our finance series, which will cover financial concepts you need to understand to run a successful and profitable business. Each session will cover a finance topic led by one of our female experts. Class size is limited to 20 people, so you can get the most out of your session!

About the workshop:
Finding funding is crucial to the start and growth of your business, but it isn’t always easy to find funding opportunities. WBCUtah hosted a panel of awesome financial experts representing three diverse lending institutions and programs who will answer all the questions you have about their lending opportunities and how to apply for funding. 
 
Meet the Panel


Jason Kirkham | Business Advisor 
Lendio Utah Franchise Owner
Jason started his professional career as a Loan Officer for Beehive Credit Union while completing his Bachelor and Master of Accountancy degrees from Southern Utah University. After graduation, he went to work for the US Department of Energy as an Auditor in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Jason received numerous awards while working for the government. After 13 years of working for the government, Jason decided it was time to pursue his passion for helping small businesses. Jason moved to Salt Lake City to coach small business owners on how to improve their businesses. While working with business owners he identified an opportunity to help them reduce their expenses to increase profitability. So, in 2016 he partnered with another business to launch a new company to help business owners get better prices from vendors and suppliers. Utah may have one of the top economies in the country, but small businesses still struggle to find the financing they need to grow and operate their business. Jason is excited to use his education and experience to continue helping businesses by providing the financing they need with Lendio.

 

Aly Straley | Jr. Underwriter 
Celtic Bank

Aly is experienced in small business development as well as banking. She has worked for several financial institutions in lending, wealth management, investments and has a passion for small businesses. Aly has been a consultant for start up businesses in Utah and California for the last 11 years. She currently works in Commercial Credit Operations for Celtic Bank in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Celtic Bank
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Celtic Bank is a privately owned industrial bank chartered by the State of Utah. Celtic Bank specializes in small business finance, helping business owners with working capital, expansion, acquisition, construction, equipment financing, renewable energy finance, real estate purchases and refinances, and more. Celtic Bank has ranked as one of the top ten SBA lenders nationally since 2013. Celtic Bank has a proven track record in a range of industries, including renewable energy finance, healthcare, gas station / C-store, car wash, hotel and others.  Every business loan application is approached with a creative and problem-solving mindset, and we aim to structure tailored financing solutions that help our clients meet their growth objectives.
 

Neely Evanoff
Community Outreach AmeriCorps VISTA & Kiva Capital Access Manager
 
Neely is thrilled to engage female entrepreneurs in the great state of Utah! Her early career in environmental conservation led her to study green economics and female entrepreneur empowerment. Neely looks forward to eventually enrolling in graduate school to learn how to support communities in renewable resources management. On her off days, she is an avid hiker and fish enthusiast.

Meet the Moderator

 

Clancy Stone
Business Advisor-Northern Region
Women's Business Center of Utah
 
Clancy was an officer in the U.S. Army and then transitioned to corporate America, where she was often the only woman at the table. She realized women need a better understanding of their strengths and how to leverage them to become leaders. Later she started her own coaching business. Clancy joined the WBCUtah team where she continues to help women live their best lives, both professionally and personally.