Veterinary Services in Southeast Alaska 

Rachel Berngartt consulted Juneau Small Business Development Center in 2005 for help planning her new veterinary practice providing services for large animals using the first portable horse x-ray machine in Southeast Alaska.  Director Jackie Stewart assisted with business plan development, understanding her financial needs and identifying potential sources of financing.

Two years later Rachel visited the center as Mrs. Dziuba.  The business was thriving; she had taken on a business and a life partner, her new husband, Mike.  They needed help financing a pet crematorium, which was desperately needed by loving pet owners.

Again Jackie helped Rachel create a professional business plan with detailed financial projections, this time earning loan approvals from three local banks.  Before accepting one, she mentioned her plan to a friend, who surprised her with the offer of a private loan for $100,000 with terms she couldn’t turn down.

Rachel gives Juneau Small Business Development Center high marks: “Jackie made such excellent use of my time and her help was an absolutely critical step in making the dream of this business expansion come true.”  Now veterinarians throughout the region are referring their customers for this ultimate pet service.