Family-owned Mississippi Fruit Shop Purchases Building with CDFI Financing
Client: Kenesha and Jason, owners of Kay’s Kute Fruit, LLC
Client Location: Greenville, MS
CDFI: Communities Unlimited
CDFI Service Area: Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee
Financing and technical assistance, with support from the Google.org Grant Program
Kenesha loves fruit and wanted to share her passion with others, so she started a business from home. She began making fruit smoothies, baskets, and gifts that she delivered before and after work and often during her lunch break. As her business grew, she and her husband, Jason, engaged in a six-month business fellowship program with Higher Purpose Co. in Clarksdale, MS. When Kenesha and Jason were ready to give Kay’s Kute Fruit its own home, Higher Purpose referred them to Communities Unlimited for financing to buy a building.
Kenesha and Jason spent two years proving their business concept, engaging in training opportunities, and developing important mentor relationships. Once the opportunity came to move into their own space, they were prepared. To the delight of the city, Kenesha and Jason bought a building in downtown Greenville, MS, that had been empty for more than a year. Kenesha and Jason plan to use their business to promote other local small businesses, especially those that use natural products, such as soap and candle makers.
As Kenesha continues to build her business with her husband, she lives by the motto, “Life is what you make it, speak life into your life, and make it happen.”