Small Business Week: Ohio

The first week of May is National Small Business Week, and Peoples Bank is recognizing all small business owners.

In 2013, Ryan Ford decided to start his own Tire & Auto repair facility in Cambridge, Ohio. He felt deflated after being denied at other banks, until his dad suggested he go see Mike Yanico, Senior Business Banker at Peoples Bank. “I figured one more rejection couldn't hurt,” Ford said.

“To my surprise, from the first time I stepped into Mike's office I knew I was at the right place. Mike made me feel as if he was ‘invested’ in my vision of success,” he said. “He provided me with a check list of what I would need to get started, and fast forward a few months, Peoples Bank financed the construction of my new four bay service center.”

In 2019, more capital was needed to help grow his business, and Business Banker Matt Dolan was ready. “We added three more service bays with an additional storage room for more inventory,” he said. “Matt also provided the funding for the equipment we needed to expand our service offerings, which helped create several new jobs within the newly expanded operation.”

In 2020, Ford Tire added a second location in Newcomerstown, OH. “Once again, Peoples Bank was by my side when financing was needed,” he said.

“To this day my business has grown to 13 employees, and I know that would not have been possible without the team at Peoples Bank,” he said. “My local branches are friendly and extremely helpful with our day to day operations, from the teller line and beyond. Cambridge Branch Managers Mark Oliver and Amanda Shockley have been great advisors and partners to do business with.”

“We have faith in Nathan Larrick, Financial Advisor at Peoples Bank, to manage our 401k plan for our staff at both locations, and we use Peoples Bank Merchant Services for our Credit Card processing,” he said. “However, my relationship with Peoples goes much deeper than just business deals; they have financed my home that my wife and I raise our family in, as well as our personal vehicles.”

“Peoples Bank is not like other banks, because you are dealing with decision-makers in your area, not someone that doesn't know you personally, or the needs of your business,” he said. “That's why I choose Peoples Bank.”