Ascendus

Business credit is often one of the first—and most misunderstood—steps toward financial ascension. At Ascendus, we support small business owners with the tools, knowledge, and nationally certified coaching they need to navigate this journey with confidence. ✅ Our Loan Consultants are certified through the Credit Builders Alliance Master Trainer program ✅ We provide strategies to manage utilization, build strong credit profiles, and make informed, long-term financial decisions This is not just technical assistance—it’s a guided pathway to building credit with purpose. Together, we’re creating better conditions for entrepreneurs to access capital—on their terms, and on their timeline. 🔗 Learn how we're expanding access with intention at www.ascendus.org #Ascendus #FinancialAscension #AccessToCapital #FinancialCoaching #SmallBusinessSupport

3 Quick Tips to Strengthen Your Cash Flow This Quarter 📍 Managing cash flow well isn’t about reacting—it’s about planning ahead with confidence. 💬 Here are three strategies Ascendus Financial Coaching recommends for small business owners: ✅ Review Cash Flow Trends Quarterly: Look at income and expenses over the last 3–6 months. Notice patterns—seasonal highs and lows. ✅ Plan for Fixed and Variable Costs: Know your recurring expenses and prepare for fluctuations like inventory, marketing, or seasonal hiring. ✅ Build a Cash Buffer: Set aside a cash reserve to cover at least 1–2 months of essential expenses. 🏛️ When you understand your cash flow trends, you can act smarter—not just faster. 📚 Explore more strategies to grow your business with confidence: https://lnkd.in/d8_Mrcrz (Resource: SBA Manage Your Finances Guide) #Ascendus #AscendWithConfidence #FinancialEmpowerment #FinancialHealth #FinancialCoaching

🔒 Some messages might seem trustworthy—but it’s always worth a second look. Recently, scammers have increasingly targeted small business owners—especially those seeking funding or financial guidance. These bad actors often pose as lenders, consultants, or support teams, using urgent or friendly language to build trust and pressure action. They may ask for personal details, request payments via Zelle, or send unofficial documents to sign—all under the pretense of offering support or speeding up a process. At Ascendus, your safety matters. We know that trust is foundational when growing a business—and we take that responsibility seriously. That’s why we will never request personal information, bank details, or payments outside of our official communication channels: ✅ ascendus.org  ✅ info@ascendus.org ✅ Our verified social media accounts 🛡️ We've put together a guide to help you recognize the most common scam tactics, verify messages, and stay protected while building your business. 📎 Read the full alert: https://lnkd.in/dfYWCaAX #Ascendus #SmallBusinessTips #ScamAlert

Ascendus by the Numbers: Measuring Impact, Empowering Futures 📍 In Q1 2025, Ascendus supported 1,773 small businesses across 43 states. 💬 Entrepreneurs gained tools and resources to build stronger financial futures. 🏛️ Personalized support and inclusive capital created pathways to resilient growth. 📚 1,872 hours of financial coaching were delivered—turning potential into real progress. Behind every number is a story of resilience, growth, and financial ascension. Join us as we shape the future of microfinance with coaching and support. #AscendWithConfidence #FinancialCoaching #SmallBusinessSupport

Breaking Barriers, Building Communities: The Power of Collaboration 📍 At Ascendus, we believe that small businesses are the heart of thriving communities. But no entrepreneur should have to navigate their journey alone. 💬 Our partnership with Bank of America — and leaders like Yamileth Solorzano, Business Solutions Advisor – Assistant Vice President — ensures that when traditional financing isn’t an option, opportunity still is. Through this collaboration: 👉🏻 18 out of 30 businesses referred by Yamileth secured funding with Ascendus. 👉🏻 Small businesses like a mobile pet grooming service in Florida expanded and thrived. 👉🏻 A network of trust, care, and urgency was built—changing the trajectory of countless entrepreneurs. 🏛️ In 2024, Ascendus recognized Yamileth’s outstanding commitment by naming her Banker of the Year for Florida. 🌟 Special thanks to our Florida team — Adriana Contreras and Fabiana Estrada — for their exceptional work! This is how true community-building happens: through education, collaboration, and a shared vision of financial inclusion. 📚 Learn more about how collaborations like this empower small business success. bit.ly/3G3hpFE #Ascendus #PoweredByAscendus #SmallBusinessSupport #FinancialEmpowerment

We are delighted to announce that Ascendus has been awarded an M&T Bank Charitable Foundation Amplify Fund grant! The Amplify Fund provides funding to community-based organizations like ours that are committed to increasing equity through mission-driven and capacity-building work. This $300,000 grant will help us expand access to capital and personalized financial coaching for small business owners, empowering them to grow stronger businesses and communities. Thank you, M&T Bank, for supporting our mission and investing in the dreams of entrepreneurs! #SmallBusinessSupport #CommunityDevelopment #Entrepreneurship

Chronicles from the 2025 Microfinance Impact Collaborative Convening Last week, we joined industry leaders in Washington, D.C. and Warrenton, VA for the Microfinance Impact Collaborative (MIC) Convening—a multi-day journey rooted in purpose, reflection, and collective action. 💬 Across every conversation, one message rang clear: small business resilience requires shared commitment, bold planning, and deeper connection. From assessing portfolio risks to funding challenges to reimagining the future of the Community Reinvestment Act, participants tackled the pressing realities facing the field today—with honesty, courage, and a shared drive to uplift historically underserved communities. The work was serious, but the spirit was uplifting. Moments of laughter, brainstorming, and renewed partnership reminded us that collective action carves new paths forward while challenges persist. We returned home with new insights, strengthened partnerships, and a deeper belief in what is possible when we build together. Thank you Allies for Community Business , DreamSpring, Justine PETERSEN , LiftFund, Accion Opportunity Fund, Scale Link and The Aspen Institute. Because when entrepreneurs rise, communities rise. And this way up, we all rise. 🔗 Read the full article: https://bit.ly/3FZXwiK #FinancialAscensionForAll #MIC2025 #ImpactThroughCollaboration

A sneak peek into a journey filled with purpose, connection, and smiles. This week, our CEO Paul Quintero and our COO Ana Hammock had the joy of joining incredible colleagues at The Aspen Institute 2025 Microfinance Impact Collaborative (MIC) From Washington, D.C. to Warrenton, VA, we reflected, planned, and buillt the future of microfinance together. Across conversations, brainstorms, and shared moments, one thing is clear: when we come together with open minds and a common purpose, the future shines even brighter. The energy, laughter, breakthroughs, and collective vision filling every moment are a true testament to the power of collaboration — and a reminder of why this work matters so deeply. Today, we are wrapping up this inspiring journey, carrying new ideas and renewed energy back to the communities we serve. Stay tuned next week for a full chronicle of the ideas, connections, and collective action that made this gathering unforgettable. Because when we work together, we rise together! Thank you Anne Haines and Metta Smith (DreamSpring), Amy Hereford and Adam Henson (LiftFund), Joyce Klein (The Aspen Institute), Brad McConnell (Allies for Community Business), Luz Urrutia and Joshua L. M. (Accion Opportunity Fund), Robert Boyle and Sheri Flanigan-Vazquez (Justine PETERSEN) and Brett Simmons and Jonathan Brereton (Scale Link), Timothy Ogden #FinancialAscensionForAll #MIC2025 #ImpactThroughCollaboration

💡 What is Financial Coaching? It’s not just advice. It’s alignment, understanding, and steady partnership. At Ascendus, financial coaching is the quiet force behind confident decisions. Whether someone is launching a new venture or navigating growth, we walk alongside them—helping turn uncertainty into action, and action into impact. Because transformation doesn’t begin with capital. It begins with clarity. 🔗 See how coaching transforms businesses. Visit www.ascendus.org #FinancialCoaching #SmallBusinessSupport #FinancialAscensionForAll

💬 Why believe in #FinancialAscensionForAll? Because every entrepreneur deserves more than access. They deserve belief, partnership, and a path forward. At Ascendus, we know that starting is just one step. Thriving takes guidance, trust, and the right tools. That’s why we pair capital with coaching—to help entrepreneurs grow with intention, resilience, and clarity. We stand for transformation that lasts. Because when one rises, we all do. 🔗 Learn more about our mission: https://bit.ly/4lcgCCx #FinancialAscensionForAll #AccessToCapital #FinancialCoaching