People Fund helped us get started on our new clothing line during a hard season last year and we are very appreciative. We so appreciate People Fund for helping small business like are ours launch. Heather read more

AWFUL. THEY WASTED 10 WEEKS OF MY TIME. From the very beginning it was awful, i've had to call multiple times a week and multiple times a day to even have a CHANCE of being connected with my Loan Officer JANITA. JANITA CHOICE. I explained to her and the other loan officer what my business plan was, what the situation was with my business, how i am a startup, and the process the business would work on. After multiple weeks of sending in document after document, being ignored for two weeks before being able to get a phone call through for an UPDATE, and a stupid 6 week program they made me sign up for to "receive a grant", they finally, after all that time, told me that i don't qualify for a loan because they don't allow "subscription based businesses" to qualify for the loan. AFTER 10 WEEKS THEY DECIDE TO TELL ME. RIDICULOUS. I spent so much money viewing office spaces that i would've needed, driving and meeting with potential customers, clients, and partners, they finally dropped the bomb via email with no further explanation. just note, for every one negative review you see if 3-5 other people who experienced the same thing who didn't take their own personal time out of their valuable day to complain. I did have that time, please, do not go through this like i did. other services like LiftFund, or BCL Of Texas would be better choices!! read more

By far the worst experience I have ever had!!! I am writing to file an official complaint regarding my recent experience with the loan officer and loan processor at PeopleFund. It truly disappoints me that it has come to this, but I feel it is necessary -- both for accountability and for training purposes. Over the past two months, I have experienced what can only be described as a roller coaster of miscommunication and inconsistency. The process has been extremely frustrating and, ultimately, resulted in my being denied funding -- along with three BIPOC-related opportunities that depended on this support. This experience has left me feeling discouraged and disheartened. I believe it is important that someone in upper management be made aware of the way I've been treated. I have documentation, including numerous emails and records of phone calls, that reflect the lack of clarity and professionalism I encountered throughout this process. I have read PeopleFund's public reviews and understand that the organization is working to maintain trust and credibility in the community. I would prefer to resolve this matter internally and constructively, rather than adding to negative public feedback. Honestly, I was really surprised to see your ratings to be so low. Please let me know the appropriate person or department to speak with so I can provide all relevant details for review. I genuinely hope this feedback can help improve the process for future applicants. Thank you for your time and understanding. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Warm regards, Tra C. Pierce read more

I have never been treated as poorly as I have just been treated. I spoke to Carlos Gutierrez recently and I apologized in advance because when he called I was in the middle of lunch. I began to explain to him what I was looking for, he interrupted and told me to call him back when I was making less noise. I called him back and explained to him that I had apologized in advance and he started yelling and hung up on me again. I had used Peoplefund in the past but I guess this guy does not care about helping people out. VERY unprofessional and disrespectful. This was a horrible experience. Needless to say, I will now have to start the entire process all over with another lender. read more

Do not use this organization. They completely wasted my time. Im not sure if they really help anyone. We jumped through all their hoops only for them to give us a vague and unclear reason about why they could not help us with funding. Normally an organization will have a clear and precise reason for not being able to help you. We had to come up with solutions for them during the process because they did not send us workable pdf files to use. (they want everything to be paperless) We came up with solutions for that problem. When we alerted them to the problem they just ignored us. Go somewhere else if you need funding. read more

PeopleFund is a fantastic nonprofit committed to serving small businesses across Texas. Mission - PeopleFund creates economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people by providing access to capital, education and resources to build healthy small businesses. Vision - PeopleFund believes that healthy small business growth is the key to economic recovery and development and that every person, no matter their background or economic situation, has the ability to become a successful entrepreneur and job creator given access to the appropriate resources. Our goal is to give people the opportunity to turn their talents into a sustainable livelihood and achieve financial stability for themselves and their families. At PeopleFund, we believe we have fulfilled our mission if our clients can: Make informed business and financial decisions Gain access to appropriate credit Build their business or organization in a healthy way Pay off or refinance their debt at a lower rate Become a part of the financial mainstream read more

PeopleFund - Business Financing Near Me - Austin, Texas

I simply can't say enough positive things about this organization. When my business partners and I were looking for funding for our small business we (on the advice of others) went to several Texas owned, independent banks...on the premise that we knew the "Big Banks" wouldn't be helpful in our situation. We quickly learned that we also weren't going to easily find a small business loan through those banks either...but what we did find was one helpful banker who referred us to PeopleFund. The staff at PeopleFund are amazing. They're passionate about helping people who have an idea turn it into their reality. It is a long process, but if you're serious about starting your own business should that really matter? I appreciated having people that were communicative throughout the entire process take us seriously from the start. Yes, you can get an SBA Loan (which is what we did) through any bank. But I doubt you would have the same team behind you, pulling for you and answering every random question you have along the way. Even better than their help in securing your financing is that the relationship doesn't end once you get your loan. Any areas of operating your business that you have questions on or need help with, they have the resources to set you up with volunteer mentors in your community. I'm not joking! I personally met with people that taught us how to do our own bookkeeping and to optimize our website. They are a fantastic resource to small businesses and I sing their praises every chance I get. I feel confident saying that my small business wouldn't exist or have the success that it's had in its first 2 years without PeopleFund. read more

PeopleFund is a great CDFI that wants to put everyone in the position to succeed. They have a great Education Team that is works hard to not only get prospective clients loan ready, but also after you get the loan. They have mentor pairing for anything that you may have trouble with while running your small business like accounting and Quickbooks help, marketing strategist, free legal consultation and many other excellent things. If you are looking for not only a loan, but a company to put you in the right spot to succeed, PeopleFund is the place for you. read more

Who needs People Fund when you can go to your local banker. They require the very same things any bank or traditional lender does. My loan request was met with more than twice the amount in collateral! Where is the Peer to Peer, non profit in that, or all the other requirements. If you can't get a loan from your local lender, then you won't have much luck in getting one here. read more

As a new small business owner, I am eternally grateful for People Fund and the great effort, interest, and commitment they illustrated while helping me through my loan approval process. Marco was an exceptional loan officer to be working with from day one of simply inquiring about what it would take to begin my application and business plan preparation to apply for a small business loan with People Fund. Upon closing of the loan, they did a wonderful job of making the big day feel special...because it is for a new business owner! I was pleased to learn about all of the business resources/contacts that People Fund offers after approval in order to provide me with all the information I need to get off to a good start. The whole process felt very personable. People Fund is more than just a lender, but a team of people interested in the success of their borrowers while also providing the means for us to do so beyond the funding phase! Thank you Marco and the PeopleFund team! read more