Success Story: Barbara Sullivan — Sullivan International
Barbara Sullivan started Sullivan International over 30 years ago. Her firm is a leader in workforce development for other businesses in Southern California.
Our customers inspire us every day, and we want to regularly share those stories to inspire you, too. This week, read about Barbara Sullivan of Sullivan International in Long Beach. Sullivan International is a leader in workforce development for other businesses in Southern California. Two working capital loans from Opportunity Fund are helping Barbara reach more businesses in need of human resources support.
Inspiring Success
Barbara Sullivan loves business. Inspired by the self-made African-American business man A.G. Gaston in her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, Barbara started her human resources and workforce development firm Sullivan International in Long Beach over 30 years ago.
Sullivan International serves business clients in need of support in human resources, training, and supplier diversity. They work with large companies like Southern California Edison and PG&E as well as vendors for clients who need help with business infrastructure and workforce development.
As a hard working, savvy businesswoman, Barbara has many resources to choose from to grow her business. She found a new resource in business lending while working with a client, MCS California.
“I want to grow my company and take it to the next level,” Barbara said. “I had some new contracts in workforce development coming in and I needed some money to help service those contracts.”
Her contacts at MCS offered her a connection to Opportunity Fund. Once Barbara started talking to us, she knew she was on the right path to grow Sullivan International.
A Passion for Progress
Opportunity Fund loan consultant Armando Cruz got Barbara started with a $7,000 loan in September 2015. The capital helped secure those incoming contracts. The loan also established us an easy-to-use resource for Sullivan International.
“Opportunity Fund is great because of how they handle paperwork and how they handle my business,” Barbara said. “There was no drama. It was simple.”
Barbara came back for a second loan for $15,000 in November 2016. “The terms were always favorable for me,” she said. “Armando always got back to me in a timely manner, and he never said no. He always had options for me. Opportunity Fund has more options and more flexibility than most loan companies.”
Sullivan International allows Barbara to serve fellow business owners and turn her passion into progress for companies. Her firm also provides workforce development. This program helps people seeking entry-level jobs by providing them with training and other resources to support their progress in the workforce.
As she grows her company, she’s also helping us grow by spreading the word about our easy-to-get, fast, and affordable small business loans to other business owners.
We’re happy to support Barbara’s goals for Sullivan International, and we’re proud to serve a key member of California’s African-American business community.
This article originally appeared on the Opportunity Fund Small Business blog at opportunityfundloan.org.
We hope this story has inspired you, too. At Opportunity Fund, we offer easy-to-get, fast, and affordable small business loans to help small business owners succeed. Visit our home page to find out more.
Opportunity Fund is California’s largest and fastest-growing nonprofit lender to small businesses. In fiscal ‘16’, we made $60M in loans to help more than 2,200 small business owners invest in their businesses. Opportunity Fund invests in small business owners who do not have access to traditional financing. As a founding member and signatory to the Borrower’s Bill of Rights, we believe in the important role small businesses play in our community and the economy, and we aim to help owners financially succeed.
