Aspen Outdoor Management
“They’ve been an invaluable partner over the past year as I pursued a complex $1 million loan to buy the property. They helped me understand SBA loan requirements, strengthen my financial projections, navigate legal and documentation hurdles, and develop a professional loan proposal that speaks directly to lenders. They provided steady support through every draft, question, and strategic decision, and helped me step into a process that had previously felt intimidating and out of reach.
“Their guidance through the Loan Readiness Program didn’t just help me check boxes—it helped me lead with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Thanks to the SBDC, I secured the loan to purchase the property and convert to solar power, realizing the vision I’ve worked so hard to build.”
– Elisabeth Barton, Owner
Aspen Outdoor Management is an outdoor hospitality company rooted in equity, sustainability, and real local impact. After years of feeling out of place in traditional work environments and in the outdoor industry, the owner, Elisabeth, found purpose and belonging through entrepreneurship, building a company with others who share her values and serve both visitors and our community near Yosemite National Park.
When Elisabeth initially began her journey with the SBDC 2021, she was unsure of how to transition her business and gain more capital for expansion. Elisabeth joined the first cohort of our Loan Readiness Program, in which she got connected to a dedicated consultant to help her through the loan journey. As time went on, Elisabeth worked with a few different consultants, and ended up using the advising of Nathan Henderson to achieve an SBA Loan of $849,059, and put forward an owner investment of $154,300.60. Through multiple consulting sessions totaling 25.75 hours, Elisabeth was able to get insurance approved on her business, which then allowed her to get approved for an SBA loan, which she is using to buy the property that she was previously leasing.
She believes that the most important part of the assistance received through the Valley Sierra SBDC was the one on one consultations, which is what ultimately led to a successful loan application. She appreciated the targeted advising that Nathan was able to provide, such as walk-throughs of SBA loan requirements, strengthening of financial projections, navigation of legal documentation, and a development of a professional loan proposal. She feels as if this advising was instrumental in the approval of the loan that will allow her to bring her vision to life.