Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. We love sharing stories where one “yes” makes all the difference, especially when everyone else was saying “no.”
For Jonnie and Reo Rea, owners of Mama Tig’s Wood-Fired Pizza in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the path to entrepreneurship wasn't easy. They had a vision and plenty of drive, but getting financing started wasn’t easy. As Jonnie puts it, “Literally nobody would take a chance on us.”
The young couple worked hard to avoid debt early on, sticking to a cash-only mindset. But that smart approach left them with a thin credit history, making it tough to get the business loans they needed to grow.
Finding the Right Partner
Things started looking up when the Reas met with an Arvest commercial lender who informed them about the Arvest Opportunity Fund, a wholly owned non-bank subsidiary of Arvest Bank. The mission of the Arvest Opportunity Fund is to provide lending and financial education to small business owners who fall just below the qualifications for traditional lending. To ensure small businesses are set up for long-term success, the program also requires specialized financial education through Money Management International (MMI).
In November 2022, the Reas were approved for their first loan through the Arvest Opportunity Fund and began working with MMI to learn how to use credit as a strategic tool for their business. Arvest associates were there to guide them every step of the way, helping them move from specialized financing to traditional banking solutions.
From Food Truck to Brick-and-Mortar Success
Today, the heat from the wood-fired oven is matched only by the Reas’ success. Just 2 ½ years after their first Arvest Opportunity Fund loan, Jonnie and Reo were able to refinance their original loan and now hold multiple traditional loans with Arvest. This support has allowed them to purchase the very food truck where Jonnie worked during her student years and fund significant improvements to their brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Your Success is Our Mission
The Reas' journey is the perfect example of why we do what we do. At Arvest, we’re committed to helping our customers access the resources and products they need to succeed.
As Jonnie puts it: “It was a long journey, but a journey well-worth taking.” We couldn't agree more. We’re proud to support all the small business owners who make our communities a better place to live and work.
To learn more about the Arvest Opportunity Fund, visit arvest.com/opportunity.
