Summer at Thrive: Real Stories. Real Impact. Real Opportunity

Thrive Community Lending Update 
Summer 2026 

FROM A FRESH START TO A NEW BUSINESS - BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN A DREAM AND A BUSINESS - TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP - BUSINESS BOOST IS BACK - SAVE THE DATE: MAXIMIZING GLOBAL TALENT - THANK YOU, WELLS FARGO - ADVOCATING FOR ACCESS TO CAPITAL - HELP AN ENTREPRENEUR THRIVE

As summer winds down and we look toward fall, there’s a lot happening at Thrive Community Lending!

From helping entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality to expanding access to affordable capital, providing practical training and launching new resources, we’re continuing to invest in small business owners—and the communities they call home.

Here’s a look at what’s happening at Thrive.

FROM A FRESH START TO A NEW BUSINESS

In Guatemala, Juan Carlos and his wife, Karla, built a successful business creating customized luxury hats for fashion events. But as their business grew, so did threats of extortion and persecution, eventually forcing them to leave behind the life and business they had built.

After safely resettling in the United States through the U.S. refugee program, Juan Carlos and Karla are beginning again—and bringing their entrepreneurial experience with them.

The couple is now relaunching their business, Numa Hats, in the Atlanta area, and Thrive is proud to be part of their journey.

Through Thrive, Juan Carlos and Karla received the initial capital they needed to build inventory and strengthen their marketing and sales efforts. They were also connected with Thrive volunteer business coach Dave Adelman, who is providing guidance as they navigate a new business environment.

Like so many Thrive borrowers, Juan Carlos and Karla already have the drive, experience and vision to succeed. Sometimes, what’s missing is simply access to capital, credit-building opportunities and a trusted partner to help take that next step.

We can’t wait to see where their journey takes them—and we look forward to sharing more of their story!

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN A DREAM AND A BUSINESS

Entrepreneurship is a powerful pathway toward economic opportunity, but accessing the capital needed to start or grow a business remains a major challenge for many immigrant entrepreneurs.

A recent survey found that Georgia is home to approximately 124,000 immigrant-owned businesses, yet 42% of immigrant entrepreneurs surveyed did not know how or where to secure business financing.

That’s where Thrive Community Lending comes in.

Thrive provides affordable loans and personalized support to refugee and immigrant entrepreneurs working to build stronger financial futures through small business ownership. Since Thrive began, we’ve supported 41 small businesses and invested nearly $500,000 into local communities.

Each loan represents more than capital. It represents an entrepreneur taking another step toward turning an idea, skill or dream into a sustainable business.

TAKE YOUR FIRST STEP

Have a business idea but need a little help getting it off the ground? Thrive has launched a new lending option designed specifically for entrepreneurs in the early stages of starting a business.

Our new First Step Loan provides $3,000–$4,000 in start-up capital at 6.5% interest with a two-year term.

Funds can help cover early expenses such as obtaining a business license, completing required business training and other costs associated with getting a new venture started.

Ready to take your first step? Contact thriveinfo@weinspirit.org to learn more or apply.

BUSINESS BOOST IS BACK!

Our virtual Business Boost series continues to equip entrepreneurs with practical information and tools they can put to work in their businesses.

Following our May session exploring AI tools for small business owners, our next Business Boost will tackle another important topic:

Tax Preparation & Financial Tips for Small Businesses
Tuesday, August 18 | 7:00–8:30 p.m. ET | Virtual

A tax professional will share practical guidance to help small business owners better understand tax preparation and financial management. Business Boost sessions are interactive, and participants will also have opportunities to win gift cards!

Interested in joining us? Contact thriveinfo@weinspirit.org for more information and the link to participate.
 

SAVE THE DATE: MAXIMIZING GLOBAL TALENT

Thrive Community Lending is proud to support and help plan the BIG Partnership’s upcoming Maximizing Global Talent event—and you’re invited!

Join us on the morning of October 9 in Decatur, Georgia, for breakfast and an engaging panel discussion exploring how current policies are affecting immigrants and refugees, as well as the important contributions they make to our economy and communities.

More details, including event time and registration information, are coming soon. For now, save the date and stay tuned!
 

THANK YOU, WELLS FARGO!

We’re grateful to Wells Fargo for recently awarding Thrive Community Lending a $50,000 grant to support lending capital and technical assistance.

This investment will help provide small business owners with both the financial resources and guidance they need to move their businesses forward.

Thank you, Wells Fargo, for investing in entrepreneurs and helping create opportunities for small businesses to thrive!

ADVOCATING FOR ACCESS TO CAPITAL

Access to affordable financing is essential for entrepreneurs working to start and grow successful businesses. Recent changes to U.S. Small Business Administration eligibility requirements, however, have limited access to SBA-backed financing for some immigrant entrepreneurs.

Since new SBA rules took effect in June, SBA lending has reportedly declined by 30%, resulting in approximately 24,000 fewer loans to small businesses.

Thrive believes all entrepreneurs should have a fair opportunity to access the capital they need to build successful businesses and contribute to their communities.

The recently introduced Investing in the American Dream Act seeks to expand access to SBA-backed loans for certain legally present immigrants who are currently excluded under SBA eligibility requirements.

We encourage you to learn more about these changes and, if you choose, contact your U.S. Senators to share your perspective on the legislation.

HELP AN ENTREPRENEUR THRIVE

You don’t have to own a business to make a difference for a small business owner.

Become a volunteer business coach. If you have business expertise or coaching experience, consider sharing it with a Thrive entrepreneur. Coaches can be paired with an entrepreneur for ongoing support or provide one-time guidance based on a specific area of expertise. Contact david.redd@weinspirit.org to get started.

Donate a $25 Walmart gift card. Gift cards help us encourage participation and engagement in Thrive’s basic business classes and Business Boost events. Please consider donating a $25 Walmart gift card to support these programs by clicking the button below. 

You can also contact us thriveinfo@weinspirit.org with any questions about donating.

Whether you lend your expertise, support our programs or simply help spread the word, you can play a part in helping entrepreneurs build businesses, create opportunity and strengthen their communities.

Thank you for being part of the Thrive Community Lending family.
 

Warmly, 

John Arnold 
Executive Director
Thrive Community Lending
 

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Features Inspiritus Refugee Story

Lviv Croissants' first United States location is in Roswell, Georgia.

Dear Friends,

Inspiritus is proud to share the inspiring story Petro Dudnyk, featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lviv Croissants, a cherished Ukrainian eatery, is opening its first U.S. location in Roswell, GA thanks in part to the support of Thrive Community Lending, an innovative new program launched by Inspiritus this year. Petro, a Ukrainian pastor and franchisee, has brought this beloved brand to our shores, blending culinary tradition with a commitment to raising awareness for important causes. We invite you to read the full article from the AJC, which captures the spirit of this venture and the impactful work being done through Inspiritus. Read Petro's full story below.

Ukrainian restaurant Lviv Croissants set to open its first U.S. location in Roswell

By: Yvonne Zusel

A Ukraine-based eatery that’s gained popularity since debuting in 2015 is set to open its first U.S. location in Roswell.

Lviv Croissants will open at 11 a.m. Aug. 10 at 610 W. Crossville Road, with the official grand opening Aug. 14.

Founded in the city of Lviv, Ukraine, the chain has since expanded to 189 stores across Ukraine, Poland and Slovakia.

The store is majority-owned by Lviv Croissants corporate and Brett Larrabee, CEO of Lviv Croissants USA. Ukraine native Petro Dudnyk also serves as a franchisee for the location. Dudnyk, a pastor who also co-owns a Lviv location in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, came to the U.S. in 2022 for his son’s wedding and stayed after war broke out in the country. He funded his portion of the U.S. location through Thrive Community Lending, which provides microloans for refugees and immigrants.

Larabee, who has been in the food franchising business for nearly 40 years, said he and co-founder Andrii Galytskyi have been wanting to bring Lviv to the U.S. for years. Larabee was traveling in Ukraine for work when he began noticing the long lines that would form outside Lviv restaurants.

“Every time I went by a Lviv, they were packed,” he said. “After 37 years, I know what works and what doesn’t, what consumers want and don’t want. Lviv has a high-quality product and offers great coffee, great food and a great ambience where people can go and hang out and be part of a community.”

Petro Dudnyk (right) with Inspiritus President & CEO John R. Moeller Jr. (left) at the opening of Lviv Croissant in Roswell, GA.

While the menu for the Roswell restaurant will be very similar to European locations, some minor tweaks have been made, including removing the cheeseburger and teriyaki croissants.

Savory sandwiches on the American menu include the pastrami croissant; the Lviv croissant with salami, ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, cucumber, tomato and garlic sauce; roasted pepper chicken; Italian charcuterie with salami, prosciutto and capicola; and a turkey avocado BLT

Sweet croissant offerings including a strawberry and mascarpone croissant and an option filled with pistachio cream, while savory breakfast croissants include one filled with cabanossi sausage, Swiss cheese, egg and Sriracha aioli and another with lox and cream cheese

Rounding out the menu are a handful of salads, soups and sides, as well as an extensive beverage list with espresso drinks, teas, lemonades and smoothies.

In addition to bringing a flavor of his home country to the U.S., Dudnyk also hopes to bring awareness to events unfolding there

The cups at the Roswell location will feature a QR code enabling guests to get information on United for Ukrainian (U4U) Kids, a program that Dudnyk and his wife started to connect orphans from Ukraine to host families in America for one month. Last year, they connected 100 kids — many of whom lost a parent to the war— with host families in the U.S.

Larabee said Lviv “checks all the boxes” when it comes to brands that are set up for success, and he has plans, along with Galytskyi, to open hundreds of Lviv locations across the U.S. in the coming years

“One of the things I look for are brands that can withstand challenged and work in tough environments,” he said. “What this chain has proved to me is that it’s a very resilient brand and product that consumers really appreciate.

To support micro-loans for refugee small businesses like Lviv Croissant, click the button below and select the "Thrive Community Lending" fund.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Virginia Spencer
Chief Development Officer
Inspiritus