Florida Attorney Grows Immigration Law Center with Help of CDFI Financing and Business Coaching
Client: Bridgette Bennett, owner of Bennett Law Center
Client Location: Groveland, FL
CDFI: Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF)
CDFI Service Area: Florida
Financing and technical assistance
Founded and operated out of purpose by attorney Bridgette Bennett, Bennett Law Center focuses on immigration law and estate planning with a mission to help families and businesses achieve the American Dream. After enduring her husband’s lengthy immigration process for ten years and paying more than $30,000 in legal fees, Bridgette wanted to help prevent other families from experiencing the same turmoil. She immediately quit her job in corporate America to begin pursuing her new purpose, opening her law practice in early November 2011.
In the early stages of opening, Bridgette needed assistance expanding her business and tried applying for a commercial mortgage loan at a traditional bank. However, her broker recommended she try a nontraditional financial institution like BBIF instead. After connecting with a BBIF team member, Bennett Law Center began accessing the CDFI’s capital and business coaching services. Transforming the business over the last seven years with BBIF’s support, Bennett Law Center recently processed its PPP loan through BBIF, which helped Bridgette keep her team of 12 employees on the payroll.
“BBIF is my life support. I went there for a loan, but what I received through consulting was more valuable than money alone could ever be,” Bridgette shared.