Maid Fast Construction Transitions from Leasing to Owning with SBA 504 Financing

Maid Fast Construction transitioned from leasing to owning with the purchase of a new building in Escondido, CA via SBA 504 financing.

We’re proud to share that TMC Financing has been named the #2 Best Place to Work in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times! This recognition marks our ninth appearance on the list in the small business category, and represents our highest placement to date. This award recognizes the strength of our company culture, the commitment of our team, and our shared purpose: helping small businesses grow and succeed. It’s a reflection of everything we believe in — collaboration, respect, and doing meaningful work with people who care.

The Selection Process

The Best Places to Work list is curated by the San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal, in partnership with Quantum Workplace. Honorees are selected based on confidential employee surveys that measure engagement, satisfaction, and workplace culture.

Timeline:
– Nominations Closed: February 2025
– Employee Survey Period: January–February 2025
– Award Ceremony: June 13, 2025

To be ranked among the top companies in such a competitive field is a true honor — and climbing from #9 to #2 in just one year makes this recognition especially exciting.

Why TMC Financing Stands Out

At TMC, our success starts with our people. We believe in building a culture that supports growth, celebrates purpose, and values every team member’s voice. Our employees are united by a passion for small business, a spirit of innovation, and a collaborative, inclusive mindset.

We offer competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a workplace culture that encourages connection, creativity, and care. While many of our roles are hybrid or remote, we’ve proven that a strong culture transcends physical location — it’s built on shared values and trust.

A Night to Celebrate

Our team joined fellow honorees at the 2025 Best Places to Work awards ceremony — an evening of celebration, connection, and well-deserved recognition. Seeing TMC’s name ranked #2 among so many inspiring companies was a proud and joyful moment for us all.

A Culture That Cares

We work hard to foster an environment where people feel supported, motivated, and part of something greater. Just a few highlights of what makes TMC a uniquely rewarding place to work:

– Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits

– Flexible work arrangements and hybrid scheduling

– Generous vacation, holiday, and leave policies

– Gym reimbursements and commuter benefits

– Matching charitable donations

– Company events, team-building, and celebrations

Reflection

Our founder and president, Barbara Morrison concludes,

Thank you to every member of the TMC team for making this achievement possible. We’re honored to be recognized — and even more excited about what comes next.

Check out our careers page to discover opportunities to join our amazing team.

490 Small Businesses Served, Securing Over $1.8 Billion in Total Financing for Fiscal Year 2024

For the fourth consecutive year, TMC Financing is named the No. 1 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 lender in the nation.

Closing its most successful fiscal year on September 30, 2024, TMC Financing approved 490 SBA 504 loans, totaling $1.8 billion in total project financing—outpacing all other SBA 504 lenders in both loan count and total dollar volume. These funds are expected to help create nearly 6,000 new jobs.

Additionally, TMC is the only Certified Development Company (CDC) to approve over $600 million in SBA 504 financing for three consecutive years, including FY 2024.

TMC Financing continues its mission as a nonprofit, providing small business owners with access to below-market, fixed-rate financing for the purchase, construction, or refinance of commercial real estate and equipment.

“Our growth is not just in loan volume, but in our ability to help small businesses thrive. The momentum we have built, especially with our expansion into regions like Hawaii, allows us to support even more entrepreneurs who are driving economic development,” said Barbara Morrison, founder and president of TMC Financing.

In addition to national recognition, TMC Financing maintained its position as the leading 504 lender in California, Arizona, Oregon, and Nevada.

“2024 was a landmark year. We assisted more small businesses than ever before. This record-breaking achievement reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to fostering growth and success for entrepreneurs across all the markets we serve,” concluded Morrison.

Since its inception in 1981, TMC has secured more than $14 billion in SBA 504 commercial real estate financing for over 7,000 small businesses, supporting the creation of more than 60,000 jobs.

Business owners across Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Oregon can learn more about the advantages of SBA 504 financing by visiting TMC Financing’s website at https://www.tmcfinancing.com.

Experts estimate the global wine market will reach a size of $825 billion by 2030 – and a significant part of that growth will happen due to expanded production in Napa Valley, California. Renteria Vineyard Management is at the forefront of premium wine production.

“Renteria Vineyard Management is a full-service vineyard management company,” explains Blanca Wright, its Chief Financial Officer. “We start in the vineyards when the plants wake up all the way until they go to sleep.” With over 2,000 acres under management, the firm will add about 150 more in 2023, reaching 600 employees at peak season.

With help from TMC Financing and the SBA 504 Loan Program, Renteria recently acquired a 5,049-square-foot building in the heart of Napa’s wine country for $1.4 million and only 10 percent down payment.

“Renteria has been a longtime leasee, but owning was always a goal for them,” explains Anna Rummelein who administered the SBA 504 loan. “Unfortunately, wine has often been looked at as a high-risk industry by lenders.”

When Renteria wanted to figure out a way to purchase real estate for the business, the firm’s long-time banker suggested they look into the SBA 504 program.

A long-term initiative of the Small Business Administration administered by a select group of Certified Development Companies including TMC Financing, the SBA 504 loan program is specially designed to help businesses finance the purchase of owner-occupied commercial real estate at below-market interest rates and low down payments.

An SBA 504 loan can also be applied to the purchase of equipment or used to update and upgrade the property. Incentives are available to encourage business owners to introduce energy-saving and eco-friendly features on their premises.

“The 504 loan allowed us to not only secure the building, but build it out the way we want it,” states Wright. “We’re making quite a few tenant improvements so when we move in, we’re not just owning a building – we’re owning a building we love.”

The SBA 504 program offered a loan structure that was just right for Renteria along with a highly attractive interest rate and low down payment. “The low interest rate helped us realize our dreams,” Wright says with a smile.

Wright worked with Rummelein, Senior Vice President of Business Development at TMC Financing. When the details of the financing package started to come together, she soon realized the SBA 504 loan would exceed her expectations.

“Everything was so streamlined. It was hassle-free, it was not at all time-consuming, it wasn’t stressful. Anna, Wendy [Guan, Business Development Associate], and the TMC team made it very easy, and they were very open to answering any questions or concerns we had.”

“Time and again, we’ve seen that SBA 504 is a great fit for small and mid-sized companies in the wine industry," states Rummelein. Renteria has more space and increased stability, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next.”

Further real estate purchases may well be in the future for Renteria, Wright says. “It’s always good to diversify your investments in real estate. Now that we’ve secured the building, we’re already maximizing every square foot of it.”

Contact TMC Financing to find out more or get started with the SBA 504 loan program.

TMC Financing Celebrates 2026 Coleman Award Winners, Recognizing Excellence Across SBA Lending  

TMC Financing is pleased to announce that several members of its team, along with the company itself, have been honored as part of the 2026 Coleman Report SBA Lender Awards. These recognitions highlight organizations and individuals whose achievements in SBA lending strengthen small business communities and expand access to long‑term, affordable financing. 

TMC Financing has long been committed to empowering entrepreneurs across its footprint, and this year’s awards reflect both strong FY25 production and meaningful growth in new markets. 

TMC Financing earned the SBA Underserved Market Lender of the Year award after completing a record‑setting FY25 with 548 SBA 504 loans and more than $2.4 billion in total project financing, supporting over 7,000 jobs. This recognition underscores the company’s continued efforts to reach more businesses with stable, fixed‑rate commercial real estate financing. 

A significant contributor to this achievement is TMC’s expansion into Hawai‘i. After receiving SBA approval to lend in the islands, the organization has strengthened its presence by collaborating with local lenders, small business owners, and community groups. The addition of Senior Vice President of Business Development, Kalia Clark, a Hawai‘i native with deep SBA lending experience, has provided invaluable local insight and helped more entrepreneurs gain access to the advantages of the SBA 504 Program.

SBA Business Development Officer of the Year: Chris Bane 

Named SBA Business Development Officer of the Year, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Chris Bane delivered one of TMC’s strongest individual performances of FY25, closing 80 SBA 504 loans totaling more than $103.3 million in SBA financing. His expertise and consistency have helped entrepreneurs across.

SBA 504 Sales Executive of the Year: Jennifer Davis 

Earning the title of SBA 504 Sales Executive of the Year, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Jennifer Davis continued her decades‑long legacy of leadership in SBA lending. In FY25, she originated 47 SBA 504 loans supporting more than $255 million in total project costs. Among her accomplishments was guiding a minority‑owned animation studio in Los Angeles through the purchase of a state‑of‑the‑art facility, helping preserve creative jobs and strengthen the local economy. 

SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Lender of the Year: Anna Lavanger

Recognized with the SBA 7(a) Community Advantage Lender of the Year award Vice President of Community Advantage, Anna Lavanger, delivered a strong year of purpose‑driven lending. She funded 35 Community Advantage loans with an average loan size of $206,000. Her portfolio included 10 new businesses, 11 loans in underserved census tracts, one veteran‑owned business, 10 majority women‑owned businesses, and two majority minority‑owned businesses. Seven of her borrowers also advanced into 504 financing, demonstrating the long‑term trajectory she helps create for small business owners. One of her notable successes included helping a start‑up childcare center secure a $250,000 CA loan, enabling the business to open and provide essential family services.

Best Small Business Loan of the Year: Dean Aloe 

A recipient of the Best Small Business Loan of the Year award, Dean Aloe, Senior Vice President of Business Development, delivered a standout FY25 performance by originating 63 SBA 504 loans totaling more than $112.9 million. His work included helping a consulting firm in Long Beach purchase its first commercial building with only 10 percent down and a 25‑year fixed interest rate—an outcome that transformed the company’s long‑term trajectory. 

Best Small Business Loan of the Year: Bryce Fennell 

Honored with the Best Small Business Loan of the Year distinction, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Bryce Fennell completed 68 SBA 504 loans totaling more than $106 million in SBA financing and supporting $292 million in total project costs. One notable project involved helping a specialty retailer acquire a 6,625‑square‑foot warehouse, creating new efficiencies and enabling the business to scale its operations. 

A Legacy of Leadership in SBA Lending 

TMC Financing’s recognition in the 2026 Coleman Awards reflects its continued focus on expanding access to capital, fostering economic development, and supporting entrepreneurs across its growing footprint. The company remains committed to helping small businesses secure the stability and long‑term benefits of commercial property ownership. 

TMC Financing is the nation’s number one SBA 504 commercial real estate lender. Since 1981, TMC has provided more than $16 billion in SBA 504 financing to over 8,000 small businesses, supporting economic growth across California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Hawai‘i. 

To learn more about the SBA 504 Loan Program contact TMC Financing today.

In today’s challenging economic climate, many wineries are rethinking their operational strategies. Rather than continuing to rent or lease, owning your space can be a transformative decision that positions your winery for long-term success. With the support of SBA 504 loans from TMC Financing, this isn’t just a dream—it’s an achievable reality.

The Benefits of Owning Your Space

Financial Stability and Predictability

Owning your own property means you’re not subject to sudden rent hikes or lease uncertainties. SBA 504 loans provide long-term, fixed interest rates with fully amortized payments over 25 years and no balloon payments, offering financial predictability that’s vital for planning your winery’s future.

Cash Flow That Works for You

With as little as 10% down for established businesses (15% for single-purpose facilities or start-ups), you can preserve your working capital to invest in other critical areas. This structure helps ensure your cash flow remains strong while you build equity in a valuable asset.

Long-Term Investment in Your Future

When you own your space, every payment you make builds equity in a property that can appreciate over time. Instead of paying rent to a landlord, your payments are an investment in your own business—a move that can pay dividends as the market rebounds.

How SBA 504 Loans Empower Wineries

SBA 504 loans are designed for businesses that need to secure fixed assets like commercial real estate and equipment. For wineries, this means the opportunity to purchase or renovate tasting rooms, production facilities, vineyards, or even create new wine tourism attractions. Key features include:

• Low Down Payments: Retain cash to invest in growth.
  
• Fixed, Below-Market Interest Rates: Keep your payments predictable over 25 years.
  
• No Balloon Payments: Enjoy a steady repayment plan without a looming final lump sum.
  
• Flexibility: Use funds for construction, renovation, or even energy-efficient upgrades.

Building a Legacy, One Investment at a Time

In an industry where market conditions are constantly evolving, owning your property offers a solid foundation upon which to build lasting success. It’s not just about the here and now—it's about investing in your winery’s legacy. With a property in hand, you create an asset that stands as a testament to your resilience and commitment to excellence.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

Even in tough times, or perhaps especially now, making a strategic investment in your winery can lead to significant long-term rewards. With many competitors feeling the strain of high overhead costs and unpredictable leases, owning your own space can be the competitive edge you need to thrive when the industry recovers.

Partner with TMC Financing for Your Future

At TMC Financing, we understand the unique challenges that wineries face. Our commitment is summed up in our motto: Your Success Is Our Success. We’re not just here to provide financing—we’re here to help you secure your future. With our SBA 504 loans, you can move beyond renting and start owning the foundation of your business.

Take the next step: Contact us today to learn more about how owning your space can unlock growth and stability for your winery. 

Own the business. Own the building. Own your future.

The wine industry is facing unprecedented challenges. With many wineries and related businesses feeling the pressure from rising costs and declining sales, it might seem like the only option is to cut back or even shutter operations. But as history shows, downturns are often the perfect time to make strategic investments that secure your future. At TMC Financing, we believe that smart financing isn’t just for booming markets—it’s the tool that can help you survive and ultimately thrive when the market turns around.

Invest in Stability During Uncertain Times

When the winds of economic uncertainty blow, companies that stand firm are the ones that take proactive steps rather than reactive measures. SBA 504 loans from TMC Financing offer a pathway to stability with:

• Low Down Payments: With as little as 10% down for established businesses, you keep your cash flowing for critical operations and future growth.
  
  
• Fixed, Long-Term Interest Rates: Enjoy predictable payments over 25 years with no balloon payment, which means you can plan your finances with confidence.
  
  
• Strategic Uses: SBA 504 loans are designed for major, long-term investments such as purchasing commercial real estate, renovating or expanding facilities, acquiring long-lasting equipment, or making energy-efficient upgrades.

Why Now Is the Time to Act

It’s no secret that many players in the wine industry are struggling. But downturns create opportunities. Here’s why securing an SBA 504 loan now is a strategic move:

• Build a Foundation for the Future: Ownership of your space—be it a tasting room, production facility, or vineyard—creates long-term value and can serve as a crucial asset in turbulent times.
  
  
• Upgrade and Modernize: With the current market conditions, financing energy-efficient renovations or essential equipment can cut operating costs and set the stage for a sustainable future.
  
  
• Refinance for Better Terms: Refinance existing debt that was used for fixed assets, lower your debt burden, and free up capital to reinvest in your business. By locking in a fixed-rate loan, you also mitigate risks associated with variable interest rates, ensuring that you’re not left vulnerable when economic tides change.

Case in Point: Turning Crisis into Opportunity

Imagine a winery that has weathered the downturn by investing in modernizing its production facility. By taking advantage of the low down payment and fixed-rate structure of an SBA 504 loan, the business not only reduced operational costs through energy efficiency improvements but also positioned itself for growth once consumer demand rebounded. In the long run, this winery transformed a period of uncertainty into an opportunity for lasting success.

The TMC Financing Advantage

At TMC Financing, our mantra is simple: Your Success Is Our Success. We don’t just provide loans—we partner with you to advocate for your business success. Our SBA 504 loan program is designed with the challenges of small business owners in mind, giving you the tools to own the business, own the building, and ultimately, own your future.

If you’re ready to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities, now is the time to explore how an SBA 504 loan can be the cornerstone of your strategy. Let’s navigate this storm together and set the stage for a stronger, more resilient future in the wine industry.

Contact Us Today to learn how you can secure the financing you need to keep your winery thriving, even when the market is tough. After all, the smart moves you make now can create a legacy of strength and success for years to come.

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The Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA offers a plethora of advice about planning, launching, managing, and growing a small business. They offer a useful guide to writing your business plan. The SBA’s Create Your Business Plan section of its website is an excellent place to start when drafting your business plan. This free resource will walk you through each section, telling you what to include and how to make it stand out.

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Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Every state runs its own small business development center, which is a very valuable free resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Resources vary by location, but typically include things such as assistance with business planning, access to financing, counseling services and classes.

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SCORE

The nation’s largest network of expert business mentors dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve goals. Since 1964, we have provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs. SCORE’s Business Plan page is another fantastic and free small business resource loaded with online business workshops and podcasts. Free mentoring is also available – both in person and via email._________________________________________________________________

Not only do we help small businesses purchase or construct real estate, but we also can with with other financing needs via our Community Advantage Program.

We’re thrilled to share that we just closed a $150,000 Community Advantage loan for a wine service company in San Jose! 🍷🎉 The loan will help them purchase equipment to improve their operations and continue serving their customers more efficiently.

The Community Advantage loan is an affordable financing option designed to support small business owners at any stage of their journey. Whether it’s for inventory, equipment, working capital, tenant improvements, or other business expenses, this program provides the funding needed to grow and thrive.

Learn more.

We are excited to attend this year's 24th Annual Wine Industry Conference by North Bay Business Journal.

Is anyone else attending? We'd love to connect!

Link for tickets: https://mynorthbaytickets.com/events/wine-industry-conference-4-23-2024?pupeml=218741

We just closed on another vineyard! 

We helped a winery and event space in Sacramento purchase a new facility for their growing business for $1.317 million. 

By utilizing the SBA 504 Program, we were able to help the owners obtain 85% financing and a below-marketing interest rate, fixed for 25 years.

They will also be switching from renting to owning!

Learn more at www.tmcfinancing.com

Celebrity-owned Cottonwood winery receives funding from California-based financial company

Maynard James Keenan, renowned as the frontman of the iconic rock band Tool, has embarked on an ambitious expansion of his Verde Valley winery and vineyard located in Arizona. To...

Thrilled to see one of our borrowers gain some much-deserved positive press from the Napa Valley Register:

Renteria Vineyard Management: Growing Great Success from Humble Beginnings

🎉We are honored to have played a part in Renteria Vineyard Management's incredible journey! 🍇🌱 Our partnership with them has been truly fulfilling, and we are proud to have contributed to their success.

At TMC Financing, we help small businesses switch from leasing to owning or help businesses expand their reach. Businesses in the wine industry particularly appreciate the program because of the 10-15% down payment option and the below-market, fixed interest rate. We can finance land/building acquisitions, construction costs, and even heavy equipment.

Our collaboration with Renteria Vineyard Management was instrumental in providing them with the financial support they needed to purchase a building for their business - and reach new heights. We believe in their vision and commitment to producing exceptional wines, and it's been a pleasure to support them.

👉 Check out the link below to learn more about how we helped Renteria Vineyard Management achieve their goals:

Longtime Leasee Purchases Building with SBA 504 Loan administered by TMC Financing

We look forward to witnessing even more growth and success for Renteria Vineyard Management in the future! 🚀

Refinance Your Winery or Vineyard with the SBA 504 Loan Program: Here's Why!

Attention winery owners! Discover the benefits of refinancing with the SBA 504 Loan Program:

1. Financing up to 90% of the appraised property value. For cash-out projects, up to 85% financing is available.
2. Cash out up to 20% of the value of the property for working capital needs
   • Pay salaries, rent, utilities, inventory or other obligations of the business with cash previously trapped in equity
3. Below-market interest rate, currently, fixed for 25 years
4. The ability to consolidate multiple loans
5. Existing equity often fulfills the down payment requirement
6. Enjoy enhanced cash flow for growth and profitability.
7. Contribute to local economic development and job creation.
8. Access expert guidance and support throughout the process.

Refinance with the SBA 504 Loan Program and uncork the potential of your winery! 🍷🌱🚀

Learn more: https://www.tmcfinancing.com/sba-504-loans/refinance-commercial-mortgage-debt/

We just closed on another vineyard! 

We helped a winery in Mendocino purchase over 100 acres of rural property, currently used at a vineyard for +$2.3 million. 

By utilizing the SBA 504 Program, we were able to help the owners obtain 80% financing and a below-marketing interest rate, fixed for 25 years.

Learn more at www.tmcfinancing.com

TMC Financing Helps Les Lunes Wine Secure $3.8M for Building and Equipment Purchase with only 10% Down

The SBA 504 loan program was clearly the best option for us. In fact, conventional loans just weren’t even feasible, given the much higher owner equity that they require,” states vintner Shaunt Oungoulian, owner of Les Lunes.

Conventional commercial mortgages typically require 20-30% as a down payment, while most SBA 504 loans only require 10%.

SBA 504 financing for commercial real estate and essential equipment

Another advantage that was important for Shaunt and Diego Roig was that the SBA 504 loan program allowed them to roll the cost of equipment into the loan package – something that’s not available through conventional real-estate loans but was critical for them. In this way, the Les Lunes team also benefits from the longer amortizations available with the SBA 504 loan program, with more affordable monthly payments.

“A key benefit for us was that TMC Financing and the SBA made it possible for us to purchase used equipment from another winery,” Shaunt explains. “This was a bit of an outlier for the program, but the seller worked with us to get the appraisals that we needed and TMC and the SBA made it work. Because we were able to do that, we got a lot more than we would have if we had to purchase new equipment. That’s made a huge difference in what we’ve been able to do with our winemaking operation.”

With their acquisition, Les Lunes can process, ferment, and bottle the wines without a third-party, giving them total control while stabilizing occupancy costs for the long term.

“The SBA 504 loan process is complex, but not any more so than you’d experience with other commercial loans,” says Shaunt. “We also had Anna and the TMC Financing team behind us, which kept things moving. Working with the TMC team was great for us. Now, we have everything together and do the work in house, which saves time and expense.”

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