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2008, and I started looking for commercial real<br />
estate. It took much longer than I expected, but<br />
I stuck with it and found a great location—that<br />
could be my advice for other young entrepreneurs:<br />
stick with it.<br />
What do you think is the key to your<br />
success? Lots and lots of research. I did two to<br />
three years of nonstop research.<br />
What has been your biggest challenge?<br />
Financial issues were somewhat challenging in the<br />
beginning, but if you have a good enough business<br />
plan to bring to a banker, you will get funded. I<br />
walked in and said, “Here is my business plan and<br />
I will not take no for an answer.” I was willing to do<br />
what I needed to do to get the money to start my<br />
business.<br />
As a veteran, I was also able to access the <strong>Pat</strong>riot<br />
Express program through the Small Business<br />
Administration. A loan program like this should<br />
be expanded because it makes sense for all small<br />
businesses.<br />
What keeps your company on the leading<br />
edge? The Pita Pit’s friendly employees (we have<br />
around 30), customers that keep coming back, and<br />
our healthy menu.<br />
If you could go back in time and do<br />
something differently, what would it be?<br />
Nothing.<br />
What is your favorite part of the day?<br />
Lunchtime at The Pita Pit.<br />
Where do you see your company in the<br />
future? More Pita Pits. All I see are pitas.<br />
Any final advice? Here’s a quote that I live<br />
by: “Start by doing what is necessary, then what<br />
is possible, and suddenly you are doing the<br />
impossible.” ~St. Francis of Assisi.<br />
About the Y.E.S.S. Awards<br />
<strong>City</strong> <strong>Magazine</strong> and Dickinson State University’s Strom<br />
Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation presents<br />
a Young Entrepreneur Success Story (Y.E.S.S.) Award<br />
winner each quarter.<br />
Selected entrepreneurs are those who personify the<br />
entrepreneurial spirit of our state and offer advice to<br />
others facing similar challenges.<br />
If you know an entrepreneur who is under 30 and<br />
making a difference, please email: thecitymagazine@<br />
unitedprinting.com, or call 701.223.0505.<br />
> Our Advice:<br />
The United States Small Business<br />
Administration is dedicated to helping<br />
small businesses and offers many creative<br />
programs. The <strong>Pat</strong>riot Express program<br />
mentioned by Chris Volk offers SBAguaranteed<br />
loans to small companies owned<br />
by veterans, reservists and their spouses.<br />
The loan program offers preferred interest<br />
rates and terms and can be used for other<br />
business purposes including equipment<br />
purchases, inventory and capital. <strong>Pat</strong>riot<br />
Express loans are available in amounts up<br />
to $500,000. Since the program began in<br />
2007, it has provided more than $633 million<br />
in SBA-guaranteed loans to 7,650 veterans.<br />
For more information visit www.sba.gov/<br />
patriotexpress.<br />
> Big News: Chris recently received<br />
approval to open a Pita Pit in Dickinson.<br />
Watch for it coming soon!
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