TLC Interpreting and Translation Services had everything a small business lender should want to see: A profitable business, strong client relationships, and global reach serving 250 languages. However, when it came time to apply for a loan, they knew their uneven cash flow would disqualify them from traditional financing before they even applied.
For many small businesses, that would be the end of the story. But for TLC, it was just the beginning. This is the story of how Grow America, a local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and the City of Long Beach came together to ensure TLC got the funding it needed to succeed.
A profitable business with uneven cash flow made traditional financing difficult
Johanna and Margarita started TLC Translation back in 2016 as a boutique team in Long Beach, California, offering translation and interpretation services globally.
As interpreters and translators themselves, Johanna and Margarita focused on providing curated service and guaranteeing client satisfaction. Today, they work with 17,000 language specialists globally offering translation and interpretation services for over 250 languages.
When it was time to borrow the funds to hire the team needed to support their growth, Johanna and Margarita knew that traditional financing wouldn’t be an option. Johanna says, “Our business is great. It’s profitable, but our cash flow has been challenging because we have government contracts, and things can move a little slow.”
Johanna explains that “because cash flow was an issue, we couldn’t go to a traditional bank. They couldn’t see that the money was there for us to repay it.”
Funding made possible by partnership
When their local SBDC suggested that they seek a less traditional funding route, they were intrigued. A few years prior, the City of Long Beach had partnered with Grow America to launch a loan fund for local businesses. Through the fund, businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans with affordable rates and terms.
Because TLC had a strong track record, they qualified for the fund despite their cash flow challenges and Grow America put together a financing plan that worked for them.
“Since Grow America’s intention is to help small businesses,” Johanna says, “they found ways to be able to justify and provide us the funding we needed to grow.”
They provided financial forecasts with their application, but they also shared their larger goals for the loan and the job creation potential was clear. Johanna says, “One of the things that Grow America wanted to see was whether we’re creating local jobs with the loan. We created a plan to hire the salesperson, and also to hire account managers once we grow our sales,” says Johanna. “That was how we justified getting the size of loan that we needed.”
Working with Grow America felt different
For Johanna and Margarita, working with Grow America felt like a partnership. Johanna shares that “Grow America was hands-on with helping us find a way to get the funding. It felt like there was a genuine interest from the entire team to make our business successful.”
Often, it’s the little things that mean the most. Johanna and her business partner live about two hours away from each other. Grow America arranged notaries in both locations, so they didn’t have to travel and meet up to sign the paperwork. It’s those little details, she says, that made her experience so positive.
Traditional banks can feel transactional, Johanna notes, but “Grow America was more intentional. They’re making sure that we’re using our loan to the best of our advantage to grow as a business.”
A path towards the future with Grow America
With the SBA 7(a) loan in place, TLC is hiring a salesperson who can hit the ground running in 2026 and bringing on account managers to expand their on-demand translation and interpretation services. These services enable clients to communicate effectively across language barriers, whether that’s ensuring accurate medical diagnoses, making informed healthcare decisions, participating in their child’s school meetings, or closing business deals across continents. This funding did more than help TLC grow; it’s continuing to help people around the world communicate clearly when it matters most.
If you’re interested in how Grow America can help your clients achieve their vision, reach out today to discuss the SBA loans we offer or to set up a loan fund for businesses in your community.