Alexus Yancey-Duncan was ready. She had spent months getting the final preparations in place to open One of A Kind Childcare Center in Warren, MI (about 20 minutes from Detroit). Now, just as she was about ready to open the center, she hit a snag.
Because the center is a stand-alone building, there needed to be fencing near the parking lot. But a permitting issue with the City of Warren had put the opening on hold. It took nearly six months to get final approval for the fencing, during which time Alexus needed to pay utilities and other expenses on a building that was not open and generating revenue.
She contacted First Children’s Finance’s Loan Fund team about possible assistance.
“From the beginning, (FCF Loan Officer) Amanda (Brewington) was great,” Alexus said. “She constantly told me this was going to work, and my center was going to be successful. It meant so much to hear that.”
Alexus received a loan that provided working capital for such things as utilities and additional furniture during the delay.
One in a Kind Childcare Center opened in February 2024, employs eight staff members and is licensed to care for 60 children.
“Working with FCF was such a positive experience,” Alexus said. “I had been told ‘no’ so many times. It was incredible to hear ‘yes’ for an answer. FCF believed that my dream could be reality. Even after I got the loan they came to visit, checked out the building and wanted to see how I was doing. It was a great experience overall.”