After having worked for a large corporation, Natausha Gaudin founded her own business, Risk Control, LLC, four year ago. “I wanted to break away from the corporate environment and use my own innovative ideas to run my company,”She spoke.
Gaudin combined her passion for real estate with a desire to help others when she established the role of her company. It has since become a resource for people who are rebuilding or building their homes.
Her business was thrown off track by an unanticipated act of God-Hurricane Katrina. Gaudin and her child lived three blocks from New Orleans’ London Street canal levee, which caused the destruction of their home. Her flash drive and laptop were all she had, so she was forced to work hard to keep her company afloat.
She needed a small loan to pay her payroll and cover the costs of rebuilding her company. Gaudin discovered Hope Community Credit Union after being rejected by numerous financial institutions. Their employees referred Gaudin directly to ACCION USA. This nonprofit organization provides financial training and micro-loans to small-business owners in the United States. Gaudin was able to complete her online loan application within 24 hours.
“The biggest struggle for small business owners is obtaining financing from traditional institutions,”Gaudin stated. “With this program-and the online micro-lending-the process was so smooth.”
ACCION USA has no physical location in Louisiana. However, the online application for loans allows small-scale entrepreneurs like Gaudin to apply from anywhere in America. Gaudin was approved for a $25,000 loan in just a few weeks. She was soon back in business and providing much-needed services in New Orleans after Katrina.
Gaudin and her 12 employees have been helping Katrina victims rebuild homes since Gaudin received her funding. The company helps homeowners find contractors who aren’t performing and takes legal action. They also screen subcontractors and contractors to ensure that they rebuild within their budgets.
“There are so many pieces needed for a well-oiled engine to run,”Gaudin. “ACCION USA’s loan allowed us to continue moving in the right direction. You can get stalled if you don’t have the oil to keep things moving.”
While the rebuilding process is not over, Gaudin’s team has the financial security to continue helping homeowners in storm-damaged Jefferson Parishes and Orleans.
Visit ACCION USA to find out more about small business loans, or to apply online. www.accionusa.org.
