Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Kellison.
Denise, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Woman-Owned Business Continues to Service Houston Restaurant Industry.
First Vision Financial, a company securing loans and leases finance contracts for restaurant owners needing new equipment, has entered its 20th year of business servicing restaurant owners specializing in Texas.
“I truly enjoy working with my clients to help them reach their full entrepreneurial potential and have worked hard with my team to curate a network of like-minded vendors,” says Denise Kellison, member of First Vision Financial. “We continue to receive new business from referrals and remain focused on quality, not quantity.”
First Vision Financial finds creative solutions to market challenges including labor issues and changes in real estate by offering new and existing restaurant owners an additional source of funds to open or grow their business and free up cash for working capital. The increase in real estate margins over the past 20 years has restaurants now requiring higher revenue in order to earn the same percentage of operating profit. The Houston market has also proved difficult with many neighborhoods focused on a specific restaurant type leaving more casual concepts relegated to the suburbs.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Kellison has secured her place in a high-risk industry and edged out the competition by finding a sweet spot working with startups and expansions where most finance companies require an establishment to be in business for at least a year. The process of securing a loan begins when a potential client fills out an easy online application which is reviewed within hours by Kellison and her staff. Applicants are quickly notified of the decision, and if approved, a contract is drawn and signed within 24-48 hours.
Over the past 20 years, First Vision Financial has kept up with the changing restaurant landscape including the mainstream of ethnic cuisine, tremendous growth of fast-casual concepts and the transformation of neighborhood bars into elevated spaces. With the influx of new restaurants opening, First Vision Financial’s portfolio continues to grow and currently includes Houston hot spots El Tiempo, Coltivare and Kung Fu, as well as Austin eateries such as Noble Sandwich Co. and Small Victory.
“The market had a need that we successfully continue to fill,” says Kellison. “Over the past 20 years, we have seen Houston grow from an emerging restaurant city to one of the nation’s leaders. It’s exciting to know that we have played a part in elevating the city’s concept variety, quality of offerings, value and annual guest spending.”
First Vision Financial – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
First Vision Financial launched in 1997 and offers equipment leasing and equipment, franchise and vendor financing for small businesses primarily focused on the restaurant industry. Operated by Denise Kellison, First Vision Financial uses creative solutions to help clients with financial challenges.
Contact Info:
- Address: denise@firstvisionfinancial.com
- Website: www.firstvisionfancial.com
- Phone: 713.203.7698.
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