“Growth was exciting,” says Kristopher Brunelle, owner of White Glove Service LLC. “But cash flow was brutal. I needed financing to help stabilize the business and give me a foundation to grow – and I found my partner in Pursuit.”
Here’s how Kris is using an SBA Microloan and a Veteran Loan, both from Pursuit, to strengthen White Glove’s finances and build new revenue opportunities for his veteran-owned enterprise.
Skills, experiences, and entrepreneurial drive form the basis of a new business
Before launching his business, Kris spent several years in the U.S. Navy, followed by various sales roles. His time in the military taught him invaluable lessons about discipline and building operational efficiencies, but it was his time in sales that led to entrepreneurship.
“In my previous positions, I saw ways that every aspect of business could be done better, from sales and customer care to follow-up and operations,” Kris admits. “I realized that if I wanted to do something that aligned with my values and standards, I’d have to create it myself.”
He continues, saying, “The military taught me how to clean and, more importantly, how to lead. I figured those were strengths worth building on. Then, I found a YouTuber who taught me everything I needed to know about the commercial janitorial business. I jumped in with both feet, paying for his mentorship and masterclass.”
White Glove is launched as a premium service provider and employer
Kris launched White Glove in 2022, applying his experience and skills to achieve the highest standards of service and care. That includes significant investment in his team – the “Grime Fighters.” It’s reflected in White Glove’s mission, too: “Premium quality comes from premium employees.”
He also had another important source of motivation: Kris wanted to be a role model for his young daughter, showing her what it takes to run a business and what can be achieved through entrepreneurship.
“Between my wife’s work as a teacher and my role as a business owner, our daughter is getting a great education about the different kinds of opportunities available to her as she grows,” Kris says.
A great reputation leads to growth – and additional challenges
It didn’t take long for business to grow and White Glove currently has 10 Grime Fighters on staff who provide essential services and oversight, ensuring every job for every client is completed to White Glove’s high standards. Growth has also come with challenges, though, including taking on large jobs that can strain cash flow.
As Kris explains, “Doing big post-construction clean-ups tied up money for weeks while waiting for client payments. To bridge the gap, I was pulling cash advances on credit cards and taking out high-interest loans just to make payroll. It’s hard to lead your team with confidence when you’re wondering how you’re going to pay them and that cycle was stressful and unsustainable.”
Fortunately, Kris learned about Pursuit through his connections with other local veterans and the organizations that serve them.
“I was invited to celebrate a good friend’s accomplishment at the McNulty Veteran Business Center,” Kris explains. “That’s where I met VP and Senior Business Development Officer for Pursuit Keri Pratico.”
The right lender is critical for White Glove’s success
Kris says that before Pursuit, he was struggling to find the right small business financing.
“At the time, I was reinvesting nearly everything I made back into the business which, on paper, made it look less attractive for traditional lenders,” he explains. “Keri and Pursuit took the time to see the bigger picture – that reinvestment was fueling growth and positioning the business for long-term success.”
“Pursuit looked at my vision and plan and the loan process was straightforward and supportive,” Kris says. “It felt like Pursuit genuinely wanted me to succeed.”
Working with Keri, Kris secured an SBA Microloan and a Veteran Loan. Soon after, he had the funds he needed to stabilize his cash flow, grow visibility in his target region, and take on new revenue-generating initiatives.
“Thanks to the financing, I rented and renovated a space, which meant that I could move the business out of my garage. We also now have a dedicated service vehicle wrapped with our logo, so clients see us as a professional and established operation,” Kris says about the impact of the loans on White Glove. “These upgrades have opened doors and, as we prepare to unveil a fluff-and-fold laundry delivery service, the financing has given us the stability to not just survive, but to expand in ways that elevate both our image and our services.”
“From the very beginning, it was clear that Kris had both the drive and the vision to take White Glove to the next level,” Keri says. “He’s built a business grounded in strong values, leadership, and service – qualities that resonate with Pursuit. It was important to us to find financing solutions that not only met his immediate needs but also positioned him for long-term success.”
Business Advisory Services support entrepreneurial success
Pursuit knows that along with the rewards of growing a business come many challenges around financial management, human resources, marketing, and more – and many Pursuit clients, like Kris, are first-time business owners.
“One of the biggest surprises was everything Pursuit offered beyond financing,” Kris says. “The BAS team connected me with marketing, financial, and business-counseling resources that went far beyond what I expected. I was able to have a forecasting model built that helped me understand the feasibility of expanding my business – and that gave me confidence to move forward with growth. They also provided support to help market my business, which directly impacted my ability to attract new clients and grow faster.”
Reflecting on all he’s learned, Kris says, “Honestly, I couldn’t believe how much value Pursuit offers. For me, the advisory services were as valuable as the financing. My brain was boggled as to how and why they were helping me so much!”
Stability leads to growth and great opportunities
With funds in hand, White Glove is well-positioned to move forward.
“We’re growing through new and expanded services, and we’re on track to double our revenue this year. We’re also developing leadership opportunities for our employees,” Kris explains. “The financing provided a foundation for sustainable, long-term growth and even to begin to dream about franchising White Glove, so that more people can become business owners with a trusted name backing them.”
“Kris’s story reflects our core values – strengthening communities through collaboration, leading with transparency and authenticity, and engaging on a personal level,” Keri adds. “His success is a powerful example of how the right support and partnership can help a small business reach higher and transform not only itself but also the community around it.”
With loans from $10,000 to $5.5 million, we can help you secure financing for working capital, equipment, the purchase or construction of commercial real estate, to refinance business debt and more for businesses in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Nevada, Illinois, and Washington. And our Business Advisory Services are available, at no cost, to eligible borrowers.
Contact us to learn more.