Our post-recital ice cream social was in full swing. The kids were running rampant, the leftover ice cream was slowly melting in the tubs, and the adults were enjoying some adult beverages and some non-violin music.
I was chatting with another proud father, learning a little more about his line of work. He works for the local small business development corporation, funded by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA). He helps entrepreneurs start and grow small businesses.
He was looking for a loan to bridge the gap between a bank loan and his own funds. The loan would be paid back incrementally after a 2-year grace period if and when the operation is deemed by the owner to be profitable.
After the principal is eventually returned, a 20% bonus payment would be paid. If all goes well, I would end up seeing a return of 3% to 5%, depending on the time frame of repayment. A guaranteed return at that rate would be reasonable, but this is far from a sure thing.
Does a microbrewery / taproom make our world a better place? That’s certainly debatable, but compared to other drinking establishments, tap rooms tend to be more family-friendly places where people gather and socialize over a beer or two.
I decided that $20,000 was too rich for my blood, but I could maybe part with $10,000 if the investment could produce something more tangible than a subpar return for my money.