How One Physical Therapist’s Dream Took Shape With a Little Help From CCI
In a quiet pocket of Asheville, North Carolina—where mountain air meets ambition—Dr. Dan Carmack was doing more than treating pain. He was transforming lives. His clinic, Breakthrough Performance PT, specializes in sports, orthopedic, and pelvic health physical therapy, delivering deeply personal, hands-on care that treats the root of a patient’s problem, not just the symptoms. But in the early days, his dream was squeezed into a sublet corner of a local gym, staggered with the schedules of 1-2 other team members. Growth wasn’t just needed. It was overdue.
“We knew it was time to move into our first solo clinic space,” Dan recalls. “But after seeing that first contractor estimate… it was clear we’d need outside support to do it right.” That support came in the form of a small business microloan from Carolina Community Impact (CCI).
CCI, a nonprofit community development financial institution, exists for entrepreneurs like Dan—those with grit, talent, and vision, but without long lending histories or deep financial backing. With the rising costs of Asheville’s real estate market and a healthcare facility to outfit, traditional lenders weren’t a fit. “We’d explored other financing options, but the doors just weren’t opening. Either it was a no because we were too new, or the terms felt predatory,” Dan explains. “Working with CCI was different. They weren’t just interested in our business—they were invested in our mission.”
Guided by CCI’s Roxanne Reed, who came recommended by one of Dan’s own patients, the clinic secured an SBA microloan to cover their buildout. The funding—paired with lower interest rates and personalized communication—meant the dream of an independent clinic was no longer on the horizon. It was happening.
Then Hurricane Helene hit.
The interruption delayed their grand opening, but CCI didn’t step back—they stepped in. “Even post-loan, the support never stopped,” Dan says. “Roxanne and the team helped us navigate our next steps. That kind of help isn’t just rare—it’s unforgettable.”
Since moving into the new space, Breakthrough Performance PT has expanded its staff, hired two new physical therapists, and is planning another hire by the end of 2025. “I truly don’t think we’d have made this leap sustainably without CCI. They’re a friend to the little guys in business,” Dan reflects.
For CCI, this story is more than a win. It’s a blueprint for why continued funding for our organization is critical. It ensures that passionate, community-rooted businesses like Dan’s don’t get lost in the noise. They get a voice, a clinic, a team—and the tools to keep going.
