With more than 15 years of sales and marketing expertise gained through a variety of jobs held in Atlanta and New York, Maria Peck, President of Shelends, has a comprehensive perspective on the sector. She is a driven businesswoman as well. Her previous venture, Sweet Devil Moon Tapas Bar, was self-funded using credit cards and savings. Maria gained a deep understanding of the challenges small company owners have in obtaining financing through this encounter.

Below are highlights of the interview conducted between World’s Leaders and Maria Peck:

Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside of the workplace.

From an early age, I have always felt a strong sense of purpose when it comes to supporting others and positively impacting my community. This calling has been a defining aspect of my life, both inside and outside the workplace. Determining the intersection between a career and my purpose took a while, but in the last 15 years, my career has aligned with my values.

Through this path, I am actively working on opportunities that allow me to contribute to the betterment of women and minorities.

Outside of the workplace, I believe in the power of community and the importance of building solid connections with others. I value personal growth and continuous learning. I am open to new ideas and perspectives, always striving to expand my knowledge and understanding of the world. This curiosity drives me to seek opportunities for self-improvement and stay informed about our society’s challenges. Combining my passion for community impact work with my professional skills and dedication, I can contribute meaningfully to creating a better future for all.

Describe your past journey before SheLends.

My journey leading up to SheLends was a transformative and deeply personal one. It all began when I arrived in the United States, a place that offered me new opportunities and challenges. While I didn’t initially envision myself as an entrepreneur, my upbringing in a household where my father owned an engineering company instilled a unique perspective on the emotional and financial rollercoaster of business ownership.

Ten years after I arrived in the US, I took a bold step and decided to open my first business—a restaurant. Despite the initial hurdles, my determination and hard work led to the successful launch of my restaurant. However, like many entrepreneurs, I soon found myself in a financial predicament, having maxed out my credit cards and needing additional funding to sustain and grow my business.

During this challenging phase, I discovered the vital role of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These organizations provided a lifeline for entrepreneurs like me, offering the financial support and resources necessary to keep my dream alive. This experience profoundly influenced my path and sparked my interest in helping others navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship and access to capital.

Years later, when I decided to re-enter the workforce, I was again drawn to CDFIs. I joined one of the most prominent local CDFIs and embarked on a remarkable journey. For nearly nine years, I worked tirelessly and climbed the ranks, eventually becoming the Founding Director of the ACE Women’s Center and the Director for Hispanic Initiatives. During this period, I deepened my understanding of the unique challenges faced by minority entrepreneurs. It underscored the importance of providing them with culturally relevant training, access to capital, and personalized guidance.

This journey, marked by personal and professional growth, catalyzed the creation of SheLends. I recognized the pressing need to support minority-serving organizations by offering them culturally and logistically relevant training, access to capital preparedness, and individualized consulting.

SheLends embodies my commitment to paying forward the support I received and helping others achieve their entrepreneurial dreams while strengthening our communities. It is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, resourcefulness, and the desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Tell us about the inception of the company.

The inception of SheLends in late 2018 marked the beginning of a journey that would evolve in response to the changing needs of small Businesses, particularly in the face of unforeseen challenges. Initially, I envisioned SheLends as a vital connector, bridging small businesses with the right access to capital providers. I was passionate about facilitating opportunities for entrepreneurs to secure the financial resources they needed to thrive.

However, as 2019 unfolded, the world was hit with the unexpected and unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses across the globe were forced to shut down or adapt rapidly to survive. In this critical moment, I felt compelled to contribute my expertise and support to business owners struggling to navigate the complexities of securing COVID relief funds.

In volunteering to assist these businesses, I quickly realized a profound opportunity. There was a pressing need to partner with organizations and institutions to provide more than just financial connections. It became evident that businesses required access to capital, culturally and logistically relevant training, and individualized consultations to weather the storm and emerge stronger on the other side.

Like many entrepreneurs, I recognized the importance of adaptability and the ability to pivot in response to changing circumstances. SheLends transformed its mission and focus to fill this crucial gap in the entrepreneurial landscape. We shifted our approach to support the vital work of local and national organizations, facilitating specialized training and one-on-one consultations that could empower small businesses, especially those in underserved communities, to overcome the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

What has made you successful? What do you value?

My success can be attributed to the invaluable individuals I have surrounded myself with, all of whom share a common vision of supporting and creating opportunities for underserved communities. It’s not just about what I do as an individual, but the collective efforts of a dedicated team that have propelled us forward.

I deeply value and admire this unwavering group of leaders who are committed to making a positive impact on our community. I firmly believe that success is not solely about personal achievements but about the collective progress we can make by working together towards a common goal.

What are the most important aspects of a company’s culture? What principles do you believe in, and how do you build this culture?

The culture of SheLends is deeply rooted in its commitment to positively impacting women and underserved businesses by providing them with the tools and resources they need to start and grow strong enterprises. We are impact-driven. Every decision, initiative, and action is guided by the goal of making a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of women and underserved businesses. We actively engage with the communities we serve, listening to their need. By recognizing that no single entity can address all the challenges women and underserved businesses face, SheLends collaborates with partners, organizations, and stakeholders to leverage collective expertise and resources.

What is the significance of innovative ideas in the company? 

Innovation is at the core of SheLends. For us, being innovative means thinking outside the box and being creative in addressing the unique needs of women and minority-owned businesses and the organizations that serve them. The business landscape constantly changes as new challenges emerge; innovation allows us to adapt and respond to these changing needs effectively. It enables us to stay ahead of the curve and ensure our support remains relevant and impactful.

Give us your opinion on whether organizations rely heavily on individual heroics or team processes.

Both individual contributions and effective team processes have their merits and are valuable in their own right. Ultimately, the most successful organizations strike the right balance between individual excellence and effective team processes.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?

Lead with empathy, communicate clearly, and continually learn from your experiences.

The post Maria Peck: Empowering Small Businesses through Sales, Marketing, and SheLends appeared first on Worlds Leaders.