At Pursuit, we’re proud to champion entrepreneurs and innovators who bring vitality to our communities. In honor of Small Business Month 2025, we’re spotlighting the voices of business owners who are making a difference, building stronger neighborhoods, creating jobs, and turning their dreams into reality.
Saratoga Winery | Saratoga, NY
Annie Brill
Saratoga Winery stands out with its expansive 7-acre property and inventive culinary offerings: Think breakfast corn dogs, dessert nachos and mimosa flights with house made custom juices and more! Since taking over an existing business, Annie and her team have grown their events program, built a loyal local following, and prioritized charitable partnerships.
The highest compliment Annie has received as a small business owner is when new customers tell her that they feel welcomed and included in her business and the community.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without our loans from Pursuit. Our team believed in us and helped us navigate the extensive loan process to get us to the closing table and beyond. We are so grateful for our partnership with Pursuit and constantly recommend their services to anyone interested in starting their own business.”
Golden Hello Company | Rochester, NY
Kellie Wright
Golden Hello crafts personalized gifting strategies for companies to retain clients and employees. With just $2,000 to start, Kellie creatively bootstrapped her way to building a business that now serves major corporations. Within 5 years, they achieved several of their goals and gained a few large corporations that they work with on a weekly basis.
For Golden Hello Company, success is when they can create meaningful connections that turn into loyal clients. Also, that they can make a living doing what they love!
“Pursuit’s 9-month cohort program and funding helped us reach new goals, purchase inventory, and hire a marketing coach.”
Benevolence Home Services | Westchester, IL
Katrina Turman
Rooted in compassion and personal caregiving experience, Benevolence Home Services provides dignity-centered home care and staffing services. Katrina’s community-first approach led to key partnerships and the launch of a staffing agency. Benevolence Home Services agency isn’t just about business, it’s about making a difference. Whether through community outreach, support for caregivers, or initiatives that enhance healthcare accessibility. Benevolence is actively engaged in improving the well-being of the people they serve.
“Pursuit’s funding helped us expand services, launch our staffing agency, and build a foundation for long-term success. In addition to financial support, their guidance with business programs such as business development and marketing is phenomenal. I can’t say enough about Malini Krishna – she is a Rock Star. The tools that were given to me has proved to be an invaluable insight into strategic planning and sustainable growth.”
Collectiveffort | Troy, NY
Patrick Harris Jr.
Collectiveffort is a creative agency and production house built by and for independent creatives. Its mission: cultivating a sustainable creative economy in re-emerging communities by telling original stories and managing flexible spaces. Clients come to Collectiveffort when they want more than a campaign—they want to tell a new story, build a deeper connection to their audiences, and tap into something real.
“Pursuit supported us at a pivotal time. We were in the middle of refining our services, and that meant making tough choices like saying no to projects we would’ve taken just a month earlier.[EL1] [KP2] Their funding helped us bridge that gap, meeting essential cashflow needs while we made those internal shifts. It gave us the breathing room to transition with purpose rather than panic, and that made all the difference.”
Harlem Cycle | Harlem, NY
Tammeca Rochester
Harlem Cycle is more than just a fitness studio, they are a movement centered on culture, community, and inclusivity. Unlike traditional cycling studios, they create an environment that celebrates and reflects the diverse, vibrant energy of Harlem. Their workouts incorporate music, storytelling, and wellness in a way that makes every ride an experience, not just a workout.
Starting out as a single studio offering cycling classes, Harlem Cycle has since expanded into two locations and their offerings include wellness retreats, corporate wellness programs, instructor training, and community initiatives. Their digital offerings have also grown, allowing them to reach clients beyond Harlem and into the broader wellness space.
“Funding from Pursuit has allowed us to expand into our second location and improve our studio experience. It has helped with operational costs, equipment upgrades, and marketing efforts, allowing us to reach more people and continue building Harlem Cycle as a thriving wellness space.”
Pro Bike Design | Watertown, CT
Ron Jones
Blending over 20 years of experience with cutting-edge design, Pro Bike Design customizes bicycles while mentoring students and giving back to the cycling community. For Ron, knowing that he and his team make something that brings others joy is what’s really rewarding. Pro Bike Design helps people have fun, stay fit, and find inspiration to ride.
“Pursuit made getting funding super easy, so I was able to pay down higher interest loans and credit cards that were used to start up my business. Purchasing new equipment to help improve quality and reduce re-work makes our business more profitable which is great!”
Surplus Outlet | Northumberland, PA
Akash Patel
Specializing in deep-discount closeout goods, Surplus Outlet provides incredible savings to the local community. Akash emphasizes affordability, efficiency, and a strong personal connection to his customers. He loves interacting with the community and participating in it through his business.
“Ashley Heaton and the Pursuit team helped me fund a multi-million-dollar acquisition. Their belief in my project meant everything.”
The Pursuit Promise
These stories are just a few examples of the thousands of entrepreneurs we’ve had the honor of supporting. Whether it’s launching a new idea, expanding operations, or navigating challenges, Pursuit is here to help businesses thrive.
Ready to write your own success story?
Contact us to discuss how we can support your business.
