CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
Lil’ Voyagers Learning Academy
Jacksonville Early Learning Center Secures Capital to Fulfill Expansion Vision
Lil’ Voyagers Learning Academy opened their doors in 2004. Trisha Cornelius, the owner with 20 years of child care experience, made it their mission to promote quality education in a safe, family-oriented environment that prepares children for future learning experiences.
DEMOGRAPHIC
Black-Owned
LOCATION
Jacksonville, FL
LOAN PROGRAM
Paycheck Protection Program
THE CHALLENGE
Navigating Financial Hurdles During Covid-19
Trisha has always been motivated by her love for children. When she decided to reopen the center after relocating to Duval County, she was thrilled to continue uplifting young minds.
Like many businesses, the COVID-19 Pandemic negatively affected Lil’ Voyagers’ operations. The center had to take on unexpected expenses to keep staff and students safe, putting a strain on their finances. The unforeseen expenses forced them to pause their expansion efforts due to the lack of working capital.
THE SOLUTION
Learning Center Receives Boost from Micro-loan
Despite the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Trisha remained committed to her goal of providing high-quality early education to as many children as possible.
Trisha’s persistence paid off when she met a member of BBIF’s team at a networking event. She shared her expansion vision with the BBIF team and they were impressed by her dedication to her mission. The team worked closely with Trisha to help her secure a micro-loan, which provided the capital needed to fund Lil’ Voyagers’ expansion plans.
If you are looking for an institution dedicated to helping small businesses, putting the customers first, and operating at the highest level of professionalism and integrity, BBIF is the place.
Trisha Cornelius
Owner of Lil’ Voyagers Academy
THE IMPACT
From In-Home Daycare to Two North Florida Locations
Thanks to the micro-loan from BBIF, Lil’ Voyagers Learning Center was able to expand its reach and serve both Duval and St. Johns County. Trisha’s passion and resilience allowed the learning center to make the transition from being an in-home daycare center to operating in two brick-and-mortar locations!
Today, Lil’ Voyagers Learning Center continues to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive. The hard work and dedication of Trisha and her team, combined with the support of BBIF, have allowed Lil’ Voyagers to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. Their success is a testament to the power of determination and the importance of supporting small businesses in our communities.