As a small business owner, I immediately started to seek support and resources to just survive when the pandemic hit, and all work abruptly stopped. When I learned about BECEF, the funding portion sounded promising. Little did I know how extraordinary not only the funding, but the advisory support would be during these trying times. I was skeptical when I learned that a business consultant would also be aligned to work with me in addition to receiving the funds.
Crystal, my FBE business coordinator, reached out to me during the same period that the racial justice protests were happening in response to George Floyd’s murder. This just brought to the forefront again the systemic racism that our Black and Indigenous communities have experienced daily. This was another toll on our fatigued mental and health capacity. Yet, it made me reflect on the support that was being given through BECEF and that I had a rare opportunity to give time and space to work on my business during this period. It is the first time in 18 years as a business owner that I have this type of outside business development consultant support. This is an extraordinary resource to have again. It was more than the just the loan that I had acquired.
They are is very little Latinx representation in the architecture field. Recently a local group of minority-owned design owners and professional leaders came together to spearhead and advocate for more equity in this field.
On a personal note, everything that we have experienced from the pandemic, to the racial justice protests, to our BECEF loan and advisory support, has made me reflect on my personal commitment to connect and support other Latinx and Black business owners. At the end of the day, we all need to work together to address the systemic inequities that have resulted with our businesses being the most impacted during this pandemic.
We’re excited to grow our team and welcome a thoughtful, mission-driven leader into the role of Small Business Lending Director. This newly created position plays a key role in our next phase of growth, leading day-to-day lending operations, managing portfolio performance, and expanding access to capital for small businesses across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. If you’re passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening local economies, and advancing financial equity, we’d love to hear from you.
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The Nectar Community Investments residential team recently attended the 2025 MassEnergize Conference, which proved to be a thoughtful and impactful event full of advocacy, connection, and shared commitment to climate action at the community level. Residential Services Director Lissette Paukert spoke on a panel about funding residential decarbonization, joining representatives from Mass Save, the Community Climate Bank and Abode to talk about ways we can make energy efficiency upgrades more accessible and affordable for Massachusetts residents. Here are a few of her insights from the conversation.
What are the biggest challenges Nectar clients face in pursuing decarbonization projects?
These days, we see some fear of financial uncertainty and a lack of trust in the energy industry due to aggressive, predatory-like marketing behaviors. That’s also due to divisiveness and misinformation in our current environment, including whether climate change is real and if decarbonization efforts even matter. When you have limited cash flow, you invest carefully in products that are going to last and not cause issues. There needs to be clear and truthful messaging around the impact of decarbonization, from both an economic and environmental perspective. Not only do homeowners need education, but it’s just as important that the contractors and all professionals …
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for Nectar’s official launch in Rhode Island. We’re thrilled to be working in the Ocean State, and engaging with the entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners and other attendees at the event boosted our sense of excitement and community.
Since our founding in Massachusetts in 2008, we’ve made it our mission to invest in community and build generational wealth. We’re continuing that commitment in Rhode Island — today, tomorrow and well into the future. This launch event was only the beginning! We’re looking forward to working together, supporting dedicated small business owners, and collaborating with ecosystem partners to build on their successful efforts throughout the state.
