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Entrepreneur Found Variety of Support-The Sacramento Bee

Posted on: June 30, 2004
Entrepreneur found variety of support

By Jon Ortiz -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, June 20, 2004

Kimberly Jackson says she's always had an entrepreneurial streak. At 17, she was selling art in a Florin Road parking lot; she had her own nail business in a Folsom hair salon by the time she was 22.

The 32-year-old mother of two now owns Just Hair Beauty Supply, a small storefront business in the Pocket area of south Sacramento, and is working toward a business degree from the University of the Pacific.

Jackson credits California Capital with giving her "promotional and emotional support," first with a small loan to get Just Hair off the ground and then with advice on how to keep it going.

"They're good for more than just getting money," Jackson said, standing behind her shop counter. "They'll set you up with a class or hook you up with people who can give you advice to get over the hump."

Jackson opened Just Hair about two years ago with a small loan from California Capital. Her inventory when the doors opened cost $15,000. The business has grown since then, and Jackson estimates her inventory of wigs, hair extensions and nail and hair care products today is worth $75,000.

"I had a plan, but Cal Cap helped me put together a legitimate business proposal," Jackson recalled. "And most banks wanted a lot of collateral - you know, a house, cars - but if I had all of that, I wouldn't have needed a loan!"

Once the store opened, California Capital called regularly and required Jackson to send profit-and-loss statements with her loan payments.

The idea was to let the lender keep an experienced eye on her business to head off trouble because most startup failures occur in the first five years.

"California Capital just stays on top of things to make sure you're doing what you should do," she said. "Sometimes people just need a little help."