Bridgeway in Action!
The Bridgeway in Action! series presents our impact through the lens of the people we serve (our clients) while highlighting the tools (our loans and programs) and the Bridgeway team members who support them along their business growth journey.
For today’s spotlight, we chatted with Bridgeway’s Small Business Loan Officer Jennifer Jackson about the versatility of Small Business Loans and how this loan product helped Tabytha Bates to open Pittsburgh Pilates, a boutique fitness studio featuring reformer, tower, and mat Pilates.
Four Questions with Jennifer Jackson
With more than a decade of experience in banking, Jennifer Jackson excels at building strong relationships with small business clients by guiding them through the loan application process and helping connect their business growth goals to the right capital solutions.
As a board member for the Women’s Business Network, the Three Rivers Business Alliance Foundation, and the Rosedale Beach Club, Jen is deeply engaged in supporting her local community and the small business and professional networks she serves.
Here’s how Jen worked with Tabytha Bates on a small business loan to support the development of an intentionally community-focused wellness studio in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.
At the core of Bridgeway’s mission is the belief that lending for positive local impact improves the lives of our clients and the communities they serve. How does this loan to Tabytha Bates and Pittsburgh Pilates reflect that impact?
Wilkinsburg’s commercial corridors are a key community strength, and Bridgeway has intentionally invested in revitalizing its storefronts. Pittsburgh Pilates adds a new, wellness-oriented service for local residents while bringing fresh energy to the corridor. This is the first Pilates studio in Wilkinsburg! Even more meaningful, Tabytha’s father owns the building—locally owned real estate supporting a locally owned business. That’s Bridgeway’s definition of community economic development. The mayor’s presence at the ribbon cutting reflected the strong community support behind this project.
In her interview, Tabytha talked about the entrepreneurial spirit that extends across generations of her family and how supportive her family is of this endeavor. What does that passion and community support signal to you as a lending professional?
You often hear words like “dream” and “passion” associated with entrepreneurship—and while that kind of dedication is essential, it also takes real skill. Growing up in a family steeped in entrepreneurship can be a significant advantage, offering a kind of lifelong, informal education in how to build and sustain a business. Just as important is community: At Tabytha’s grand opening, her mentor was there, along with 20 consistent clients—early proof points of both demand and support. That belief from others is incredibly valuable. It’s exciting and heartwarming to see her pursue what she loves with the backing of both her family and her community.
Small business loans are like a Swiss Army knife; they offer a variety of solutions in one product. As a small business lender, can you comment on this versatility?
That’s a great analogy. Small business loans really are versatile. They can be tailored to meet a range of needs within a single financing structure. In Tabytha’s case, the loan supported equipment purchases, renovations, and working capital. By securing the loan with the building, we were able to extend the term so her payments are more manageable. Just as important, this is the start of a relationship. As Tabytha’s business grows—whether that’s expanding services or opening a second location—we already understand her model and can continue to support her with the right capital at the right time.
And how is Bridgeway’s process different from that of a mainstream lender?
We can come up with solutions: We’re saying how can we do this? It’s more of having a conversation with all the parties. At a bank, it’s, “Does it fit the mold, yes or no?”
Featured Client: Pittsburgh Pilates
Learn More
Read our article Community-Minded Wellness in the Heart of Wilkinsburg to learn more about Tabytha Bates and Pittsburgh Pilates.
Bridgeway Capital offers wrap-around support to small businesses, from access to financing to technical support, cohort opportunities, and more. Reach out today to see how Bridgeway can help you grow.