What Does Your Business Do?
HellBent sells women’s clothing, including its private label brand and other brands that align with their aesthetic. It’s a clothing collective store with a curated style, home accessories, jewelry, and other items that fit their brand. Anna began HellBent 5 years ago as her senior thesis at the Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) and created her brand. After graduating, she was “recklessly determined” and started an online clothing store. During COVID, she took to Instagram for heavy marketing, which caused her business to skyrocket. She identified a need for clothing beyond screen prints and moved into private labels.
Over the last 2.5-3 years, she refined her approach and opened her own brick-and-mortar store. She moved to Raleigh in May 2022 from New York and enjoys the seasons of the South. Her leap of faith has led to success and happiness.
How Did You Know It Was Time to Seek Help & Access Capital for Your Business?
Anna realized it was time to seek help and access capital when her business was growing, and she was doing pop-ups. She saw the potential to have temporary moments of a real store at her pop-ups and decided it was time to take a leap of faith and go after a brick-and-mortar store. She needed financial support to move forward, and finding Carolina Community Impact (CCI) was like finding a gift.
Working with CCI helped her break down the barriers of intimidation she felt with traditional banks, which couldn’t assist her, whereas CCI guided her throughout the process.
Who Did You Work with at CCI?
Anna worked with Roxanne Reed, Brittany Hinds, and Atiya Ward, all incredible women!
What Type of Loan Product Did You Choose? Why Was This the Best Choice for Your Business?
Anna chose a microloan because she didn’t need an astronomical amount of money. As a clothing store aiming to create her vision and overall vibe, she only needed a small amount for a cushion to get started and personalize her brand and store.
What Opportunities Were You Able to Take Advantage of While Working with CCI?
The microloan allowed Anna to have a proper buildout in her storefront, customizing her store in a way she wouldn’t have been able to invest in upfront. It provided enough product for the opening and gave her the grace of knowing she had enough inventory to sell and purchase after opening.
