j-ref Funds Two Growing Howard County Businesses
Columbia, MD— June 2, 2009 — j-ref, a small business financier in Howard County, loaned a total of $450,000 in May to two expanding businesses in Columbia: $250,000 to the Inn at Peralynna Manor, a boarding house and inn; and, $200,000 to Booth Management Consulting, a professional accounting and management consulting firm.

The loan to Peralynna will be used to retire outstanding liabilities, upgrade the property and for working capital. Booth Management Consulting requested a loan for working capital for contract start-up and hiring staff.

"It’s satisfying to assist growing companies during these challenging economic times. j-ref and its resources stand behind these small business owners in forwarding their missions and improving their companies," says Michael Mobley, executive director, j-ref.

The 19-room Peralynna Manor http://www.peralynna.com, located on Route 108, was founded in 1997 by its owners, David and Cynthia Lynn. Peralynna has received numerous awards, including Best Inn in the U.S., Best Inn in North America and one of the Top 15 Inns Internationally. They have also been rated 10 out of 10 by Zagat.

Established in 2008, Booth Management Consulting, LLC (BMC) http://www.bmc-llc.net is a SBA Certified 8a, GSA certified Woman-owned small disadvantaged business with over ten years of experience serving the federal, state and local government. The company is owned by Robin and Phil Booth and is located on Columbia Road, with a second location in Washington, D.C.

Headquartered in the Center for Business & Technology Development in Columbia, Maryland, j-ref is a private, not-for-profit funding source for Howard County start-up and emerging companies. Support for the j-ref program is available through partnerships with Howard County government, Howard County Economic Development Authority, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce, Howard Community College, local financial institutions, and the local business community. In addition to offering business loans up to $250,000, j-ref works through its strategic partners to offer assistance to small and emerging companies in the areas of business advice, planning, and education.

j-ref Loans to Designer Jewelry Company
Columbia, MD— April 9, 2009 — j-ref, a small business financier in Howard County, and Howard Bank, recently partnered to co-loan $100,000 to Sa Sa, LLC, a silver jewelry design company in Ellicott City.

A $50,000, seven year loan from j-ref will be used for working capital for Sa Sa, which is owned by Columbia resident, Sarah Johnston. Howard Bank loaned $50,000 to the business, which plans to sell its products via retail outlets nationwide through a distribution network of independent sales representatives.

"With over nine years experience in the jewelry business, including sales management, j-ref is confident in Sarah’s ability to start and grow this venture," says Michael Mobley, executive director of j-ref. "j-ref is funding Sa Sa with the expectation that it will become another successful graduate of j-ref’s loan program."

Sa Sa, LCC http://www.jewelrybysasa.com, designs and fabricates all jewelry prototypes in its Ellicott City studio. The company’s goal is to become a recognized jewelry line for women of all ages, styles and income by offering uniquely designed necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

j-ref Funds Western Howard County Doggie Daycare Facility
Columbia, MD— April 7, 2009 — j-ref, a small business financier in Howard County, and Howard Bank, recently partnered to co-loan $405,000 to Tiki’s Playhouse, a doggie daycare, cageless boarding, and grooming facility in Glenelg, Maryland. (Photo caption – Michael Mobley, j-ref, (left) presents Kelvin Abrams,Tiki’s, with check.)

A $100,000, seven year loan from j-ref will be used for working capital for Tiki’s Playhouse, founded by Kelvin Abrams in 2008. Howard Bank loaned $305,000 to the business.

"Tiki’s is taking the right steps to grow its new business in this competitive environment," says Michael Mobley, executive director of j-ref. "j-ref continues to support Howard County entrepreneurs like Kelvin, who devote themselves to becoming experts in their fields and offering high end services to their clients."

Tiki’s Playhouse http://www.tikisplayhouse.com, also provides the following services: dog washing and grooming, dog walking, dog parties, agility training, canine cab service, kitty hotel, and kitty litter cleanup. Dog Park Sundays in Tiki’s fenced-in back yard are planned for the future.

j-ref Funds New Business, Terrapin Adventures
Columbia, MD— March 11, 2009 — j-ref, a small business financier in Howard County, and Howard Bank, recently partnered to co-loan $400,000 to Terrapin Adventures, an adventure tourism company in Savage, Maryland.

A $150,000 loan from j-ref will be used for equipment and working capital for Terrapin Adventures, which will offer an adventure course of zip lines, climbing towers, and giant swings on site at Savage Mill. Howard Bank loaned $250,000 to develop the course, designed for individual recreation, team building or group outings.

“Terrapin Adventures has done its homework. It will not only add jobs to the Howard County market, but will also add significant tax revenue from employees and tourists, and bring additional patrons to area retailers,” says Michael Mobley, executive director, j-ref. “We’re confident this new j-ref borrower will be successful and are pleased to add them to our portfolio.”

Terrapin Adventures, http://www.terrapinadventures.com, is owned by Matt and Jeryl Baker. In addition to its site at Savage Mill, it will also offer off site kayaking, river tubing, biking, hiking, horseback riding, geocaching, rappelling, windsurfing, sailing, and fly fishing tours. Its grand opening is planned for April 17, 2009.

Sizar’s Food Mart Expands with Funding from j-ref and CommerceFirst Bank
Columbia, MD — October 23, 2008 — j-ref, a small business financier in Howard County, and CommerceFirst Bank, recently partnered to co-loan more than $675,000 to Sizar's Food Mart, a Mediterranean grocery store and restaurant.

Sizar's is a former j-ref borrower from 1998. This month, j-ref loaned $75,000 to Sizar's for build out and working capital associated with its relocation to a larger property for expansion. CommerceFirst provided more than $601,000 for the purchase of the property and build out costs. The store will relocate to its new and larger site at 6801 Douglas Legum Drive in Elkridge in December.

Sizar's also received a $481,445 SBA guaranteed term loan through Business Finance Group.

"When a former borrower is successful and needs to expand based on customer demands, we'll work with the company and the banking community to develop a financial package that satisfies the needs of the client," says Michael A. Mobley, executive director of j-ref.

Sizar's Food Mart (http://www.sizarfood.com) is owned by husband and wife Mohammad and Farzaneh Sizar. For 14 years the store has been located in Columbia.

Headquartered in the Center for Business & Technology Development in Columbia, Maryland, j-ref is a private, not-for-profit funding source for Howard County start-up and emerging companies. Support for the j-ref program (http://www.jref.org) is available through partnerships with Howard County government, Howard County Economic Development Authority, Howard County Chamber of Commerce, Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce, Howard Community College, local financial institutions, and the local business community. In addition to offering business loans up to $250,000, j-ref works through its strategic partners to offer assistance to small and emerging companies in the areas of business advice, planning, and education.

j-ref Announces 2009 Board of Directors
Columbia, MD — August 1, 2008 — Michael A. Mobley, executive director of j-ref, a small business financier in Howard County, announces the changes to the board of directors for the 2009 fiscal year.

Rosa Scharf of Howard Bank is the current secretary and Steve Wolf of Berman Goldman & Ribakow is treasurer. Chris Young of the Business and Technology Law Group, and Chuck Breitenother of KLNB, were re-elected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

Recently retired members include Diane Battle, Skip Coale, Brian Daschbach, Alice Iskra, Allen Stott, and Tony Salazar.