Discovering Entrepreneurship After Retirement

Stevie Uhlir of Uhlir Designs Partners with Lakota Funds to Expand Her Growing Small Business

After a full career at the Farm Service Agency, Stevie Uhlir retired–but she wasn’t at all ready to slow down. Even before retirement, Stevie had started a small side business making vinyl-printed t-shirts for local businesses, schools, and organizations. When friends and family encouraged her to expand, she took the leap. Today, her small business, Uhlir Designs, is growing faster than she could have ever imagined. And Lakota Funds has been there to support her every step of the way. 

“I realized that no one in the area was doing embroidery work, so I went ahead and purchased an embroidery machine–and the orders came in so quickly, I was barely keeping up,” said Stevie. “Lakota Funds not only helped me find another machine to purchase, but they also helped me finance it in a way that worked for me. And now I’m probably busier than I ever was during my first career!”

For Stevie, one of the primary benefits of working with Lakota Funds was their focus on local businesses seeking the resources to grow. The Lakota Funds team understood her specific needs and challenges and supported her throughout the process of applying for a business loan. 

“I’ve never run a business, so that support was essential,” said Stevie. “They made everything easy–working through phone and email so I could be at home focusing on my work. And it was just nice to have people to talk to who were on my level–and understood what it’s like to be a small business owner.”
Though Stevie only fully launched her business this summer, the orders are flying in faster by the day. While she still makes vinyl printed t-shirts and sweatshirts, her two embroidery machines are producing non-stop; hats are a local favorite. She also does specialty work like engraving on leather patches, cups, and mugs–and even creates memory totes to carefully preserve cherished mementos like a child’s artwork. 

Marcus Heath, Stevie’s loan officer at Lakota Funds, is excited to see small businesses like Uhlir Designs grow and serve local communities. 
“Stevie was so upbeat and positive about the loan process, and now her revenue is already increasing exponentially with this new equipment, which is so great to see,” said Marcus. “So many people in our communities are already entrepreneurs and just want to take their businesses to the next level. And that’s exactly what Lakota Funds is here to help with.”

As she looks to the future, Stevie is welcoming the chance to stay busy and creative. She’s still operating from her home, but starting to explore the idea of her own studio and storefront–a space where she could have more inventory on hand and welcome people in to see what she does.
“I hope that we just keep expanding, and having more space would allow that to happen. So that’s the next step,” she said. Expanding may also give her the chance to hire more help and create positions for others–a significant move in any business owner’s journey. 

Whatever steps come next, Stevie is confident that she can call on Lakota Funds for support. 

“They're so easy to work with, provide good interest rates–and they’re local, so they understand the needs of local business owners,” she said. “I’d encourage any new business owner to reach out to them.”