During each meeting, the Business Banking Team at Greylock Federal Credit Union takes some time to highlight their “mission moments.”

A mission moment, coined by Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, is when a Business Banking Officer goes the extra mile to help a client achieve their dream. This could look like walking a small business owner through every step of the application process, coming up with creative solutions to help them succeed or simply taking the time to answer questions. 

For the Business Banking Team, composed of Chris Barry, Assistant Vice President, Business Banking, and Christopher Moon, Vice President, Business Banking, who combined have many years of experience, this focus keeps the team’s attention on what matters the most:  providing their business clients with lending opportunities that have life-changing results as well as a positive impact on the broader community.  

The personal approach may feel special to their clients, but for this dedicated team, it’s just how they do business. “Mission moments are part of our DNA at Greylock,” said Michael Barbieri, Vice President and Manager of Business Banking. “They are part of why we work at Greylock.”  

Their work makes a difference you can see and feel throughout the Berkshires: In 2023, Greylock originated 75 Business Banking Loans for $13 million, and has provided $1.6 million in Small Business Administration (SBA) loans over the past three years.

In honor of Small Business Month, three of Greylock’s business banking clients sat down with The Eagle to discuss how working with Greylock — and the power of mission moments — has impacted not just their businesses but their lives.

Salon Luna: A Place of Her Own

Lauren Germain-Pratt, originally from Alford, gave her first haircuts to her Barbie dolls, and has been styling hair ever since. She worked in the salon at Cranwell Spa and Golf Resort and then in a location in Sheffield, among other jobs. After being let go during the pandemic, she rented a chair at a salon in Great Barrington — that was like “dipping my toe into entrepreneurship,” she said. “And I was killing it!” With the confidence boost, and the support of her husband, she decided it was time for her own salon.

Germain-Pratt found a great location but it needed work—plumbing, sinks, signage, furniture—and for all of that, a loan was necessary. She went right to Greylock. Germain-Pratt already had an account with them and had always had amazing experiences. “I walk into my Great Barrington branch, and they all know my name,” she said.

Given that, she wasn’t surprised by the personal service she received from Greylock for her business. “They walked me through every single thing, the whole process. And they were so supportive and honest and transparent. It was obvious that they wanted me to succeed.”

Succeed she did. Germain-Pratt now needs to hire another stylist. The salon is welcoming and unpretentious, with size-inclusive chairs and a ramp out front. “Everyone who comes in feels comfortable. It’s a really great space.”

She’s steadily busy but being her own boss makes all the difference. “I am able to finally go to all of my son's games. When I was a single mom and working three jobs I could never go to any of those things. This has been a game-changer.”

Off Course Recreation: Perseverance Pays Off

Dan Evangelisto grew up in Pittsfield, and when he came back to the Berkshires from Boston during the pandemic, he saw an opportunity to start a business: a local recreation center featuring golf simulators and ax-throwing lanes. 

Learning the ropes in a new industry and investing in high-end equipment wasn’t easy.

“If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right,” Evangelisto recalled thinking at the time. He was already putting his savings into the business, but it wasn’t enough. “That’s where Greylock came in,” he said. “And where Chris [Barry] really helped out. We went through hurdle after hurdle,” said Evangelisto.

Throughout the process of obtaining the SBA loan, Barry stuck with him, and admired his client’s determination. “Dan was the quintessential example of someone continuing to push and ‘keep after it’ despite hitting some roadblocks,” Barry said. “To me, this was the essence of what we do and why we do it.”

The teamwork paid off. Evangelisto opened Off Course last fall and is already thinking about what other recreational offerings might be next. 

Roots Rising: Room to Grow

Accessibility is central to the work of Greylock and Roots Rising.

“We are always listening to the community’s needs,” said Jessica Vecchia, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Roots Rising, whose goal is to empower local youth through meaningful work in the food system. The shared devotion to community made Greylock an “amazing partner” when Vecchia needed a mortgage that would enable her to help Roots Rising grow. 

The organization’s two primary programs are the Pittsfield Farmers Market — the first teen-run market in the region — and Youth Crews, employing teens to work on farms, in food pantries and at their market. And now the third initiative is underway: A youth farm in Pittsfield. 

It took several years to find the right property, but when they did, Greylock was their first call. Roots Rising already had a longstanding relationship with Greylock and had also heard from many of their community partners that Greylock was great to work with on loans, mortgages in particular. “Chris [Moon] really wanted to know about us,” Vecchia said. “He wanted to know all about our plans and how they could help us. He was really open and flexible.” 

For his part, Moon enjoyed the collaboration, too. “I worked with them from the beginning through the closing and after, as well,” he said. “They were planning to launch a capital campaign, and we thought out of the box to come up with something that would really match their needs.” 

They closed on the property earlier this year, and big plans are underway—for vegetable farming, a commercial kitchen for culinary workshops and much more. “We’re hoping to have pick-your-own fields so our community can really get their hands in the soil, connect with the land and connect with nature.”

Quite the mission indeed.

For more information about Greylock’s Business Banking Team, call 413-236-4000 or visit greylock.org.

By the Numbers

In 2023, Greylock originated 75 Business Banking Loans for $13 million and 17 Business Banking Loans for $3.4 million to women-owned businesses.

Over the past two years, Greylock provided $3.5 million in Small Business MicroLoans and Community Development loans.

Over the past three years, Greylock provided $1.6 million in Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.