Through FINSYNC CO.STARTERS, Matthew gained the structure, support, and clear next steps that turned years of creative experience into real momentum, helping bring APNTMNTS ONLY to life as a business that spotlights emerging artists and introduces bold new ideas to interior design.

A Career Built Inside the Creative World

Matthew’s journey began when he was just 20, working at Maxfield in Los Angeles, a boutique known for pushing the boundaries of fashion and design. The experience gave him an early look at how art, architecture, and culture intersect.

Over the next several years, he expanded his experience across high-end design showrooms representing brands such as Flos Lighting and B&B Italia. Each role deepened his understanding of the creative industry and the psychology behind how people experience design.

“These were environments people usually only see in magazines or films,” Matthew said. “Being part of that world gave me a unique perspective on how design shapes the way people experience space.” 

Over time, those experiences began to form the foundation for a future business.

Discovering FINSYNC CO.STARTERS

While researching resources that could help him launch the business, Matthew came across FINSYNC CO.STARTERS, a program designed to help entrepreneurs move from idea to action.

After signing up, he connected with the team and quickly moved from idea to action, working through the early steps of launching a company with clear direction.

“The moment I connected with FINSYNC, everything started moving forward,” Matthew said. “They helped me see what my potential could actually look like as a real business.” 

Through the platform, he received a clear checklist of startup steps, along with the structure and accountability needed to actually move forward and build a strong foundation for his company.

 

 

Turning an Idea Into a Business

With support from the FINSYNC CO.STARTERS network, Matthew began tackling the practical side of launching APNTMNTS ONLY.

That included:

• Registering his LLC
• Securing his domain name
• Mapping out next business steps
• Planning licensing and resale requirements

One moment stood out in particular. After seeing his vision for the business, the FINSYNC team stepped in to help with the cost of filing his LLC.

“I didn’t expect that at all,” Matthew said. “But once that step happened, everything started moving very quickly.” 

With the legal foundation in place, the business began taking shape.

A Vision for a Global Creative Platform

Matthew envisions APNTMNTS ONLY as a curated platform that brings together artists, designers, and creative talent from around the world. By highlighting emerging voices, he hopes to create a space where creativity and design can connect with new audiences.

The idea is rooted in the belief that design carries emotion and meaning beyond what people immediately see.

“When the right pieces come together, people feel something,” Matthew said. “There’s an energy behind design that resonates with people in ways they may not even realize.” 

The Beginning of Something Bigger

APNTMNTS ONLY is still in its early stages, but the vision is already clear.

With FINSYNC CO.STARTERS as the catalyst, Matthew began turning plans into action and tackling the practical steps required to launch APNTMNTS ONLY. 

For entrepreneurs with a vision but no clear starting point, FINSYNC CO.STARTERS offers a path forward, helping turn ideas into action. For Matthew, that support is what transformed years of creative experience into APNTMNTS ONLY, a business now taking shape in the real world.

“I’ve wanted this for a long time,” he said. “Now it’s finally starting to happen.”

Participants leave with clearer ideas, practical skills, and a stronger understanding of what it takes to start and run a business.

A Community-Powered Approach to Entrepreneurship

Small Business Development Centers operate nationwide as part of a program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Their mission is straightforward: provide counseling and training that helps small businesses start, grow, and succeed.

In Virginia, the model is intentionally decentralized. Rather than serving the entire state from the headquarters at George Mason University, hyper local, offices are embedded in local communities to provide hands-on support where founders live and work. 

SBDC – Lynchburg Region plays a key role in that system. Stephanie Keener, director of the SBDC – Lynchburg Region, shared these insights during a recent conversation about the program’s impact. Working alongside the city’s Office of Economic Development, the center connects aspiring business owners with the training, tools, and mentorship they need to turn ideas into action.

One of the most impactful tools they use is FINSYNC CO.STARTERS.

Turning Ideas Into Real Opportunities

FINSYNC CO.STARTERS gives participants a structured environment to explore business ideas before making major financial commitments. Rather than pushing people to launch immediately, the program encourages them to test assumptions, talk to customers, and refine their thinking.

According to the SBDC – Lynchburg Region team, that approach benefits the entire community.

The program acts like a “lab” for entrepreneurship. People can evaluate their ideas and decide whether they truly want to pursue them. Even if someone decides not to start a business right away, they leave with a deeper understanding of how businesses work and how entrepreneurial thinking applies in many settings. 

That mindset shift can be just as valuable as launching a company.

A Decade of Local Impact

The Lynchburg program has been running for more than ten years, supported by the city’s Office of Economic Development. The city funds the program so local residents can participate without the high tuition costs that often prevent early-stage founders from getting help. 

By reducing the financial barrier to entry, the program has made it easier for local founders to explore business ownership before taking on the risk of launching alone.

Over the years, graduates have launched a wide range of ventures, including:

• Coffee shops and local retail businesses
• An Airbnb property management company 
• An early education center serving local families
• A bakery that continues to serve the Lynchburg community
• Expanding retail brands are growing beyond their first locations

Each venture represents someone who once entered the program with only an idea and a willingness to explore what entrepreneurship might look like.

Entrepreneurship That Strengthens the Entire Community

Participants do more than start businesses. They build confidence, develop practical skills, and contribute to a culture that welcomes and supports new ideas.

In Lynchburg, that culture continues to grow with every new cohort of founders who step forward to test their ideas. For aspiring entrepreneurs, the right support can make all the difference. Ready to move your idea forward? Find a local FINSYNC CO.STARTERS program and connect with the support network in your area.

That is what led him to FINSYNC.

Getting Started Without Guesswork

Val was referred to FINSYNC by a trusted contact, which immediately set the tone. From the start, the Business Registration process felt straightforward and well-supported.

Providing information and moving through registration was, in his words, “super easy.” 

“The FINSYNC team was responsive, efficient, and clear about what was needed at each step. There was no second-guessing and no uncertainty about whether something had been missed.”

Everything was laid out in advance, allowing Val to proceed without delays or distractions.

Expert Support That Handled The Details

Instead of navigating state forms, deadlines, and filing requirements on his own, Val worked directly with FINSYNC’s New Entity Specialists. He described the team as extremely helpful and kind, which made a difference during a process that often feels overwhelming for new business owners.

Having professionals prepare and file everything on his behalf gave him confidence that it would be done correctly and on time. That peace of mind allowed him to stay focused on building Pack Protection’s foundation rather than managing paperwork.

His business formation was confirmed within one to two business days.

 

 

A Business Built To Move Forward

For Val, the real value went beyond filing an entity.

FINSYNC helped remove friction at a critical moment when new business owners are often pulled in too many directions. By simplifying onboarding and eliminating unnecessary back-and-forth, FINSYNC became a practical asset to his day-to-day workflow.

As Pack Protection moves forward, FINSYNC’s Business Services provide a clear path to manage financial organization, stay compliant, and prepare for what comes next. That structure matters when serving high-end clients who expect professionalism at every level.

A Seamless Experience Worth Recommending

When asked if he would recommend FINSYNC to other entrepreneurs, Val did not hesitate.

“The onboarding process felt seamless. Tasks that can quickly become overwhelming were handled efficiently, allowing him to stay focused on launching and operating his company with confidence.”

For a business built on protection and trust, that kind of support made all the difference.

Behind every strong small business is someone who sees what the owner is capable of before the paperwork tells the full story. At Raza Development Fund, Yunuen Tavares shows up for entrepreneurs in that way every day. She helps them build confidence, understand their options, and get the capital they need, which is why she’s such a valued part of the FINSYNC Network.

As part of FINSYNC’s growing partner ecosystem, Yunuen supports founders who bring big ideas and solid plans but need the right guidance to take the next step. Her work reflects the best of what the network is built on: people who care deeply about community impact and believe in the power of small business owners.

This Spotlight celebrates Yunuen’s approach and experience, highlighting what she sees on the front lines of small business lending and what truly helps owners move from stress to progress.

 

Why Access to Capital Matters

For Yunuen, the most motivating part of her work is seeing what happens after a loan closes.

She meets many founders who arrive with a dream and a plan, but feel stuck because they lack the financial backing to take the next step. Being able to bridge that gap is what keeps her going.

When capital flows, she sees more than just new equipment or a bigger space. She sees stability at home, new jobs in the community, and families who gain more security because a business owner finally got the break they needed. 

“Access to funding can change someone’s whole trajectory,” she shares. That impact is what makes the work meaningful, even when the process is complex.

 

The Biggest Roadblocks Owners Face

First-time founders, Yunuen notes, are often resourceful and hardworking but find the funding process confusing and overwhelming.

Many business owners are surprised by how much goes into an SBA or traditional loan request. Application forms, collateral expectations, credit history, and financial statements can quickly feel overwhelming. 

A few of the challenges she notices most often:

• Unfamiliar Requirements: Owners may not know what lenders expect or why certain documents matter.

• Limited Financial Documentation: Some businesses lack formal financial statements or clean records, even when they are performing well.

• Lack of Mentors: Without someone to walk them through the process, many founders feel they are “doing it wrong” and give up too soon.

These barriers regularly prevent even strong businesses from advancing. Yunuen tackles these challenges directly by acting as both a lender and a guide, ensuring owners understand the requirements and how to prepare.

 

A Success Story that Stuck

One client stays with her as a reminder of why this work matters.

The owner ran a strong, profitable business with solid cash flow and a relentless work ethic. Still, she kept hearing “no” from traditional lenders because she did not have enough collateral. Each rejection chipped away at her confidence, even though the fundamentals of the business were sound. 

Yunuen and her team took time to understand the full story instead of just the gaps. They structured a loan that gave the business room to grow.

The results were clear:

◦ Revenue doubled

◦ New staff hired.

◦ The business moved from “stuck” to growth.

Watching that transformation, knowing that one approval unlocked jobs and stability for more than just the owner, is something Yunuen does not forget.

 

What Helps Owners Feel Ready for Funding

In her experience, confidence grows when the process feels transparent and supported.

Business owners feel more prepared when they know:

• What to Expect: Which documents they need, what lenders will review, and how decisions are made.

• How to Tell Their Story: Clear financials paired with a strong narrative about their business and goals.

• Who is in Their Corner: Having someone to walk them through the process, answer questions, and advocate on their behalf.

That kind of support turns funding from intimidating to achievable.

For Yunuen, everything begins with trust. When entrepreneurs understand what is ahead and feel seen by someone who believes in their potential, they are more willing to take that next step and move their business forward. That belief is why partnerships matter across the FINSYNC Network. It gives founders a way to connect with relationship bankers like Yunuen, people who take the time to understand their story and help them find the right path to funding.

 

 

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs and small business owners simplify operations and secure affordable funding through one connected platform. Powered by Fynn, your AI Assistant, FINSYNC brings banking, payments, cash flow, payroll, and accounting together and connects business owners with a nationwide collaborative network of relationship bankers and more than 1,500 financial partners. As operations improve, the FINSYNC Score unlocks better funding and stronger relationships automatically. That’s the power of FINSYNC, everything and everyone connected and working in sync to grow stronger together. 

Women’s Entrepreneurship Day celebrates the power of women who transform ideas into businesses that make a lasting impact, strengthening both their families and their communities. With guidance from FINSYNC CO.STARTERS and simple tools in the Business Platform, many find the clarity and connections that help them grow at their own pace.

The stories of these five women show how clarity, courage, and community can turn ideas into impact.

 

Tami Levin – Helping Others Find Their Path Forward

After years in the corporate world, Tami Levin wanted her work to feel more personal, so she joined FINSYNC CO.STARTERS and turned her coaching practice into a real business. She helps people navigate transitions, such as career changes or new ventures, and provides tools to find clarity and purpose. “CO.STARTERS helped me take my ideas out of my head and put them into a real plan,” she said. Today, her practice empowers professionals seeking a better balance between work and life, and her impact extends far beyond her direct clients.

 

Kristin VanCuren Koester – Calico Charlie’s Candy & More

In a small Ohio town, Kristin VanCuren Koester, with the help of her husband Matt, transformed a simple childhood love of candy into Calico Charlie’s Candy & More, a charming shop known for nostalgic treats and local favorites. Through her FINSYNC CO.STARTERS program, she learned how to price products, handle inventory, and map out everyday operations. “CO.STARTERS helped me take my ideas and make them real,” she said. Her shop is now a lively part of the community, bringing families together and collaborating with other small businesses to create a welcoming, joyful space.

 

Kimberlee Richards – The Flourishing Agency

Kimberlee Richards, owner of the Flourishing Agency, helps founders and organizations communicate clearly and grow with intention. FINSYNC CO.STARTERS pushed her to refine her services, validate pricing, and design a sales process that fit her strengths. She uses The FINSYNC Business Platform to keep her finances organized in one place, which helps her plan budgets, hire contractors, and manage campaigns with confidence. Her agency continues to grow through strong relationships and clear storytelling that helps clients reach the people they serve.

 

Thrive Community Partners – Sarah Stephens Krupp and Renee Smith

Sarah Stephens Krupp and Renee Smith created Thrive Community Partners to help small businesses gain access to training, support, and strong local networks. Their work brings together chambers, city leaders, lenders, and founders to support entrepreneurs from early ideas to long-term growth. FINSYNC CO.STARTERS gave them a people-first framework for program design, and helps them manage the financial side of their operations. When communities need to guide founders toward funding, they use Funding Navigator to connect entrepreneurs with the right relationship bankers. The result is a healthier local economy with more businesses opening and growing.

 

The Common Thread: Connection and Confidence

Each story looks a little different, but the themes are familiar. Clarity helps owners turn their ideas into real steps. Community support and consistent efforts turn small wins into lasting change. Tami helps people find direction. Kimberlee helps leaders share their stories. Sarah and Renee strengthen entire local networks. Kristin brings people together through creativity and hometown pride.

When business owners understand their numbers, stay organized, and have people in their corner, they make better decisions, and their impact spreads through the community.

 

Celebrating Women Who Build

On Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, we celebrate women who turn ideas into meaningful impact. The work is not easy, but it changes lives. FINSYNC is proud to support entrepreneurs like Tami, Kristin, Kimberly, Sarah and Renee, women proving every day that when ideas are nurtured with the right support, they do not just grow businesses. They build stronger communities.

 

 

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC simplifies how businesses fund and run their operations in one place. With tools to plan, operate, and grow — and a financial network of investors, lenders, and partners — FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs connect with the right opportunities and move forward with confidence.

When the world slowed down in 2020, Jena Stearns got busy.

After 16 years in insurance, Jena found herself at home during the pandemic, feeling restless and creative, surrounded by sewing supplies. What started as a way to help her community quickly grew into something much bigger.

“I had young kids at home and decided to start sewing masks,” Jena said. “I had the materials and knew how to do it. We sewed about 5,000 masks and sold them locally. Then, when Ohio required businesses to provide masks for employees, friends started calling, saying they needed hundreds the next day.”

To keep up with demand, Jena invested in her first laser cutting machine. It allowed her to produce 40 to 50 masks at a time instead of one by hand. “That machine changed everything,” she said. “We made around 8,000 masks before I said, ‘I never want to see another one again.’”

That turning point sparked a new idea: What else could this machine do?

 

Turning a Pandemic Project into a Business

When her local chamber hosted a fall farmers’ market, Jena and her mother decided to experiment. “We made anything and everything the laser could create, such as signs, cups, shirts, you name it,” she said. “People loved it. We realized there was a real need for a creative space and custom printing in our community.”

Encouraged by the response, the Fostoria chamber recommended Jena join FINSYNC CO.STARTERS Core, a 10-week program designed to help entrepreneurs test, refine, and grow their business ideas. The program was led with excellence by Sarah Stephens Krupp and Renee Smith, owners of Thrive Community Partners. 

“At first, I thought I didn’t need a business class,” she said. “But I signed up thinking, I will probably learn something.’ It turned out to be so much more than I expected. It wasn’t a seminar, it was a workshop that really got into the details of running a business.”

 

Learning to Think Like an Entrepreneur

Through the Core program, Jena gained clarity about the difference between a hobby and a profitable business. “It helped me put my passion on paper,” she said. “Sometimes you feel busy, but when you do the math, it doesn’t always make sense. CO.STARTERS helped me figure that out.”

She especially credits the program’s unit cost section for shaping how she prices her work today. “I still use that every day,” she said. “It taught me to factor in everything, from supplies to time to overhead. I’m not paying to have a hobby. This is my career, my paycheck.”

 

 

From Home Garage to Main Street

After completing CO.STARTERS, Jena entered her chamber’s Launch Fostoria contest, which was modeled after Shark Tank, using the business plan she had created during the program. Competing against other local entrepreneurs, she pitched her vision to judges and eventually to a live audience of nearly 500 people.

She won.

The prize package, worth around $16,000, covered her first year of rent, marketing, and additional training. With that boost, Jena opened her storefront, Beyond Laser Creations, which has now been thriving for more than four years.

Today, the shop offers screen printing, embroidery, laser cutting, and a DIY craft studio, serving a loyal local customer base. Her team includes her mom, two part-time employees, and her husband, who she jokes “works for free.”

 

A Family of Makers

The entrepreneurial spirit runs in the family. Jena’s 12-year-old daughter learned to sew masks alongside her and used her earnings to buy her first iPhone. Two of her children later completed the FINSYNC CO.STARTERS Generator program for young entrepreneurs.

“It’s come full circle,” Jena said. “My kids learned early what hard work and creativity can do.”

 

Building Beyond

Looking back, Jena credits CO.STARTERS with giving her the structure and confidence to turn creativity into a sustainable business.

“It helped me understand what it really takes to run a business,” she said. “When I needed a business plan years later, I pulled out my CO.STARTERS book, updated the numbers, and it was all still there. The foundation hasn’t changed. It just keeps growing.”

Jena’s journey shows how a spark of inspiration, backed by community support and the right tools, can grow into something truly lasting.

 

 

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC simplifies how businesses fund and run their operations in one place. With tools to plan, operate, and grow — and a financial network of investors, lenders, and partners — FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs connect with the right opportunities and move forward with confidence.

In the heart of downtown Fostoria, Ohio, a swirl of color and nostalgia welcomes every visitor who steps inside Calico Charlie’s Candy & More. For owner Kristin VanCuren Koester, the shop isn’t just a place to buy sweets. It’s a joyful result of community support, creativity, and the tools she gained through FINSYNC CO.STARTERS. This program helped her turn a childhood dream into a thriving local business. 

Kristin’s idea for her store began with a simple thought: “We need something in town for kids, a candy store!” After years of working with preschoolers and caring for her mother, she wanted to bring more joy to her hometown in Fostoria.

Before opening, Kristin joined CO.STARTERS through FINSYNC, where she learned how to plan finances, organize ideas, and launch her business with confidence. “I didn’t know anything about business,” she said. “CO.STARTERS gave me a roadmap. That little binder they gave us? I still keep it by my desk.”

That guidance helped Kristin and her husband, Matt, turn their idea into a colorful shop filled with laughter and local pride.

 

Building on Fostoria’s Roots

The store’s name honors Charles Foster, Fostoria’s namesake and former governor of Ohio, who was nicknamed “Calico Charlie.” Kristin embraced the story for its colorful spirit and playful energy. 

Kristin and Matt filled their shop with pieces of local history. Shelving from a long-closed hardware store, chandeliers from the church Kristin grew up attending, and a cart from an old five-and-dime. Every piece has a story, donated or discovered by locals who recognized the care behind Calico Charlie’s.

Even their products have local roots. Popcorn comes from Buckeye Family Farms, and candy displays feature cupboards from a former Fostoria grocery store. “We love working with local farmers and small businesses, it keeps us connected and gives our customers a real taste of home,” Kristin said.

 

Finding Guidance Through FINSYNC CO.STARTERS

When Kristin began planning her business, a family friend introduced her to Sarah and Renee, owners of Thrive Community Partners, who connected her to FINSYNC CO.STARTERS.

CO.STARTERS taught Kristin to organize ideas, plan finances, navigate suppliers, and find support to take the leap.

“Sarah and Renee were incredible, smart, kind, and funny. They never made you feel judged,” she said. “The people in my group were just as supportive. We were all learning together.”

That confidence led Kristin to enter the local Mini Shark Tank competition, where her energy shone and she won the top prize. “Even one of my former students came to cheer me on. It was amazing,” she said.

 

 

A Place Where Everyone Feels Like a Kid Again

Inside Calico Charlie’s, laughter fills the air: vintage candies, handcrafted treats, and a spirit of belonging keep visitors returning. Kristin and Matt host events for kids and adults, making the shop a creative hub.

“Some parents tell their kids to slow down or not touch anything,” Kristin said with a smile. “But we opened a candy store. We expect joy and excitement. That’s what this place is for.”

From childhood memories to community heritage, Kristin has woven together a story that is as colorful as the candies on her shelves. Through CO.STARTERS and FINSYNC’s support, she has turned her passion into a business that brings sweetness, laughter, and nostalgia to every corner of Fostoria.

“It’s not just about candy,” Kristin said. “It’s about bringing people together and reminding them that joy still lives right here in our hometown.”

 

 

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC simplifies how businesses fund and run their operations in one place. With tools to plan, operate, and grow — and a financial network of investors, lenders, and partners — FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs connect with the right opportunities and move forward with confidence.

 

Sixteen years ago, Tami Levin sat at her desk, wondering how she would turn things around. As a loan officer juggling long hours and life as a single mother of four, Tami Levin wondered if she was cut out for the job. Out of options, she took a risk and hired a business coach, even though she wasn’t sure how she’d afford it. “She told me, ‘I don’t know if you can afford not to,’” Tami said. Within three months, her sales soared from the bottom of her region to number one.

Her success soon caught the attention of another bank, which headhunted her for a branch manager position. That role became a turning point, revealing how leadership and accountability could change outcomes. Coaching her team raised customer service scores from 60% to 96%, demonstrating the power of effective guidance. When a friend later asked for business advice and insisted on paying her, a new path emerged. What began as a single conversation evolved into a thriving coaching practice. By April 2024, she had fully stepped into her calling as a business coach, helping entrepreneurs gain clarity, confidence, and control over their success.

 

Helping Entrepreneurs See the Bigger Picture

When the Keizer Chamber of Commerce invited Tami to lead its Leadership Keizer program, she discovered how much she enjoyed facilitating group learning. So when WaFd Bank partnered with the Chamber to bring CO.STARTERS, powered by FINSYNC, to North Salem, Tami was the person they called to lead it.

“I already knew how powerful community learning could be,” she said. “CO.STARTERS gave me a structured, hands-on way to help entrepreneurs work through their ideas and find real solutions.”

Through FINSYNC’s connected platform, participants could immediately apply what they learned; track cash flow, refine their pricing, and see real results before the program even ended.

One of her favorite moments came during the session on defining a customer problem. “Many participants started with, ‘I have this thing I’m good at, and I need people to buy it.’ Watching them shift to, ‘What problem am I solving for my customer?’ was incredible. You could see the lightbulbs go off.”

 

 

Tackling Common Challenges in Business

Through both her coaching and FINSYNC CO.STARTERS facilitation, Tami has seen a familiar challenge among small business owners: financial confusion.

“The biggest issue is not knowing their numbers,” she said. “A lot of people look at their bank account balance and assume that means they’re making money.”

One client in particular stood out. After reviewing her numbers, they discovered she was only making about a couple of dollars per item sold. With guidance, she raised her prices and shifted her product mix. Within five months, her income doubled.
Stories like that fuel Tami’s work. “I want my clients to walk away with confidence, hope, and the belief that things can get better. Many come to me feeling stuck. I help them move forward and communicate their value clearly.”

 

Collaboration That Builds Stronger Foundations

Behind every success story is a network of support. For Tami, that included WaFd Bank, the Keizer Chamber, and FINSYNC’s CO.STARTERS team.

WaFd sponsored participants, shared financial insights during sessions, and hosted the program’s celebration night. The Chamber helped promote the program through community channels. And the FINSYNC CO.STARTERS team ensured Tami had everything she needed to guide her first cohort with confidence.

“The facilitator videos were so helpful,” Tami said. “Barb even spent 45 minutes with me brainstorming ideas for the celebration night. Shadee provided all the resources and links, so I didn’t have to search for anything. Their support made everything easier.”

 

Looking Ahead

Now, Tami is expanding her business coaching to serve more mid-sized companies. She has partnered with a senior accountant to offer a full-service package that combines financial clarity with leadership growth. “She helps streamline systems and reporting, and I focus on culture, communication, and management,” Tami explained. “Together, we help businesses strengthen both their numbers and their people.”

As a coach, facilitator, and community leader, Tami’s work continues to ripple outward, helping others build the same clarity and confidence that once transformed her own career.

“Entrepreneurs don’t just need information,” she said. “They need belief in their business, in their numbers, and in themselves. That’s where everything starts.”

 

 

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC simplifies how businesses fund and run their operations in one place. With tools to plan, operate, and grow — and a financial network of investors, lenders, and partners — FINSYNC helps entrepreneurs connect with the right opportunities and move forward with confidence.

When Sarah Stephens Krupp joined the Fostoria Chamber of Commerce and began working closely with Renee Smith at the Fostoria Economic Development Corporation, neither of them knew they were about to create a partnership that would change lives.

At a Main Street conference, they discovered FINSYNC CO.STARTERS, a program designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn ideas into viable businesses. They were intrigued, but after seeing its real-world impact on Fostoria’s downtown, they were hooked.

“We saw how CO.STARTERS could actually revitalize a small business community,” Sarah recalls. “It was working right in front of us, and we knew other communities needed this too.”

By December 2023, they officially launched Thrive Community Partners.

 

Building Businesses, Strengthening Communities

Through their Chamber and Economic Development roles, Sarah and Renee have led multiple CO.STARTERS Core and Generator cohorts, giving aspiring entrepreneurs the tools and confidence to succeed.

To date, they have supported over 52 entrepreneurs and helped launch approximately 35 operational businesses. But for them, it is not just about the numbers.

“Every business we work with has a ripple effect,” Renee says. “When a small business thrives, a whole community benefits.”

Their passion comes through in everything they do. They are not just teaching business skills. They are building confidence and creating lasting community connections.

 

 

Practicing What They Preach

Sarah and Renee believe in leading by example. That is why they manage Thrive Community Partners using the same tools they recommend to others, including the FINSYNC platform for bookkeeping and financial management.

“We recommend FINSYNC to the entrepreneurs we serve because it just makes sense,” Sarah explains. “It keeps things simple, and we practice what we preach by using it ourselves.”

By walking the same path as the entrepreneurs they support, they have built a level of trust that sets them apart.

 

Expanding Their Impact

Sarah and Renee are just getting started.. By the end of 2025, they plan to transition to full-time entrepreneurship, dedicating themselves entirely to Thrive Community Partners.

They are preparing to purchase a FINSYNC CO.STARTERS license to expand the program into more rural communities that need it most.

“There are so many towns like Fostoria that could benefit from programs like CO.STARTERS,” Renee shares. “These are the kinds of initiatives that help people create opportunities right where they live.”

With their passion, expertise, and shared vision, Sarah and Renee are helping build a stronger and more resilient future for small businesses and the communities they serve.

 

Thriving Together

Thrive Community Partners emerged from Sarah Stephens Krupp and Renee Smith’s shared passion for helping people succeed.

“We both just really care about helping people reach their potential,” Sarah says. “That is what drives us.”

Passionate. Determined. Collaborative. Sarah and Renee are proving that when communities invest in entrepreneurs, entire towns can thrive.

 

 

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC is transforming how businesses fund and run their operations — all in one place. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow, FINSYNC helps you plan, operate, and scale with confidence.

At the core is Fynn, your AI Assistant, guiding you from business planning to funding — bank loans, SBA financing, alternative lending, and investment capital. If you’re not fundable today, Fynn helps you get there.

Backed by a connected Financial Network of banks, credit unions, lenders, investors, and community partners, FINSYNC lowers the cost of capital, reduces admin time by up to 40%, and increases your chances of success.

Execution becomes opportunity, and your business becomes future-ready. That’s the FINSYNC Flywheel.

When you meet Kimberlee Richards, you immediately notice her strength, focus, and drive. It is no wonder she has turned years of hard work and leadership into a thriving business, The Flourishing Agency. She built a platform that empowers entrepreneurs and strengthens community growth in Memphis.

Having navigated personal and professional challenges, she found the tools, confidence, and community to grow her vision, with the support of the FINSYNC CO.STARTERS program helping guide her final steps.

 

Turning Adversity into Purpose

“Eight years ago, I had no idea where this journey would lead,” Kimberlee says. “I just knew I wanted to help people grow their businesses and leadership skills.”

Kimberlee’s entrepreneurial path was marked by profound challenges. Just 11 months after she started her business, her husband passed away unexpectedly. Suddenly, she was a solo parent faced with the choice of whether to keep pursuing her dream or give it up.

“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever faced,” she recalls. “But I kept going because I believed in what I was building and I wanted to show my children what it looks like to persevere.”

This determination laid the foundation for everything The Flourishing Agency has become today.

 

Years of Branding, Years of Impact

Kimberlee credits much of her success to intentional, consistent branding and SEO efforts.

“My online presence didn’t happen overnight,” she explains. “It’s the result of eight years of building my personal brand, growing my credibility, and making sure people can actually find me online.”

Her work paid off. Today, a quick search yields a thriving website, an engaged Instagram following, glowing Google Reviews, and a strong LinkedIn presence that effectively showcases her credibility and influence.

 

Facilitating Growth Through FINSYNC

Alongside growing her agency, Kimberlee has facilitated multiple FINSYNC CO.STARTERS cohorts, which are hands-on programs designed to guide entrepreneurs through the process of starting and growing their businesses.

“The program is so much more than just learning business skills,” Kimberlee says. “It creates a beautiful, organic community where people support each other and keep growing long after the program ends.”

She describes the CO.STARTERS Canvas as a “powerful organizer” that helps participants test business ideas and find clarity. “You see those light bulb moments,” she says. “That’s what keeps me inspired.”

 

Creating Community Leaders

Kimberlee has witnessed the power of FINSYNC CO.STARTERS to spark lasting connections. Through her role as a facilitator, she has watched alumni like the founders of Pile of Threads and Cousins Cravings Catering go from idea to established businesses. Seeing these entrepreneurs build on their experience and make a local impact shows just how much influence the program can have beyond the classroom.

 

A New Space, A Bigger Vision

After seven years of working in co-working spaces, Kimberlee secured a 1,500-square-foot office in Whitehaven, the same Memphis neighborhood where she grew up and even worked her first summer job in 1996.

“It feels like coming full circle,” she says. “To build something right here in my community, in a space that already holds so much personal history, is incredible.”

 

Looking Ahead

Kimberlee’s vision extends far beyond her agency’s walls. She’s now working to build partnerships with community development corporations to bring entrepreneurship programming to more small business owners.

For Kimberlee, true success means helping others flourish — living up to the name of her agency.

“I know what it feels like to start from scratch,” she says. “That’s why I’m passionate about creating spaces and resources where other entrepreneurs can succeed.”

 

About FINSYNC

FINSYNC is transforming how businesses fund and run their operations — all in one place. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to grow, FINSYNC helps you plan, operate, and scale with confidence.

At the core is Fynn, your AI Assistant, guiding you from business planning to funding — bank loans, SBA financing, alternative lending, and investment capital. If you’re not fundable today, Fynn helps you get there.

Backed by a connected Financial Network of banks, credit unions, lenders, investors, and community partners, FINSYNC lowers the cost of capital, reduces admin time by up to 40%, and increases your chances of success.

Execution becomes opportunity, and your business becomes future-ready. That’s the FINSYNC Flywheel.