The art of successful community business

Steveston's Arts Connection operates a premium daycare/early learning facility (Renaissance Kids) and fine arts school (The Arts Connection) in Richmond. Its curriculum is a unique offering that provides childcare as well as fine arts and academic training. The expansion allowed the company to develop an after-school program and enhance its charitable works.

Founder and Head of School Linda Shirley says none of it could have happened without Vancity's support.

"Vancity is much more community-oriented than other financial institutions," she says. "Instead of just saying, ‘No, we can't do this; your numbers don't fit into our box,' they talked to us about our vision and were willing to work with us to make it happen. That's something we really appreciated."

The company first turned to Vancity in 2011 when it was looking to expand its operations and seek new financing. Vancity provided a line of credit and business loans.