FINANCING SUCCESS: Chakema

FINANCING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Chakema Clinton-Quintana on co-leading a new small business center

by Beth A. Klahre photo by Terah Wilson

CHAKEMA CLINTONQUINTANA is passionate about building a better community and a stronger entrepreneurial class in Wilmington.

And, that’s why she has accepted a leadership position as vice president of inclusive small business at Live Oak Bank’s new inclusive small business center. The center will serve underserved small business owners and individuals who aspire to become small business owners when it opens at 106 Market Street in downtown Wilmington in the fall.

The new collaborative hub will provide access to coaching, community, and capital including microloans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, and grants.

“Our goal is to ensure local small business owners have what they need to succeed in our community,” Clinton-Quintana says. “Live Oak Bank has done a great job of helping small business owners across the country realize the American dream, and we hope to replicate that success right here in Wilmington.”

Clinton-Quintana brings a degree in business management with a concentration in management from Strayer University in Herndon, Virginia, plus nine years of experience as a bank compliance officer to her new role.

She has held compliance and security positions at both Live Oak Bank in Wilmington and RBC Bank in Raleigh.

“A degree in business management translates across almost any role or industry,” she says.

But, she credits both of her grandmothers with having a major impact on her career choice and her passionate work ethic.

“My maternal grandmother, Vivian, is a retired educator. She believes in working smart, making the right choices, and learning from your mistakes. Her advice and love are free. Everything else must be worked for,” Clinton-Quintana says. “My paternal grandmother, Catherine, went above and beyond to help anyone in need. She purchased and overstocked her pantry with food just in case someone needed groceries.”

Clinton-Quintana’s new role enables her to serve entrepreneurs in her own backyard, especially the underserved, with equitable access to financial resources and services. The center’s main customers will be women, minorities, veterans, and indigenous small business owners who have historically been underserved.

“What I love most about this position is that I get to collaborate with small business owners, understand their desires, and guide them to the resources they need to build a successful business and legacy,” she says. “Working at Live Oak Bank matches my burning passion and desire to help others succeed. That’s what gets me up every morning.”

JAMAR JENKINS, inclusive small business specialist, will join Clinton-Quintana in leading the new center.

Clinton-Quintana has watched women take leadership roles over the time she has been in the banking industry.

“Live Oak is half-female and there is strong commitment to bridge gaps and identify growth opportunities to increase opportunities for women and people of color,” she says.

Live Oak recruits at historically black colleges and universities in North Carolina and has established corporate affinity groups to support minority employees in the workplace.

“It is an exciting time to be part of the change,” Clinton-Quintana says.

She advises young females to “learn everything, always sell yourself, but never sell yourself short.”

About the new facility, she says, “If our new center can play a part in helping entrepreneurs succeed in our town, then we want to be part of those efforts to create a new measure of economic success.”

It’s the “hurry up and wait” that is most challenging for Clinton-Quintana.

“I want the growth and success for our underserved business owners now. However, there is a process that we must go through,” she says. “I am excited to become a part of someone’s dream and watch it come to life.” W

WILMA ONLINE

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DIGNITY MEMORIAL

PLANNING AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO ENSURE LEGACY PROTECTION

In the middle of a crisis, the last thing anyone should have to do is make an important financial decision, a choice about healthcare or the future of dependent children. Let’s face it: most of us are not as good at decision-making as we could be when facing a stressful situation, such as the death of a spouse.

When dealing with the passing of her husband, Keith, who lost his battle with ALS in 2014, Megan Kopka realized that preparation is the key to helping the survivors. Kopka, who was only 38 at the time, was suddenly faced with the reality of being a single mom to her two children, aged 18 and 14.

Though she and her husband took the time to plan while dealing with his terminal illness, the experience made Kopka realize that many people do not have the time to plan or make arrangements. “Death is hard on the survivors, therefore planning truly is an act of love,” said Kopka, who started the Cape Fear Community of Modern Widows Club to provide the widows with a means of emotional support and healing. “I understand how challenging the cacophony of emotions are when death happens, along with ‘being responsible’ to have tough conversations while in shock.”

Analyzing those important decisions beforehand can be an effective means of alleviating the stresses that survivors experience. Many procrastinate and do not set aside the time for pre-planning, partially because they think their situation will change and the decisions they make are final. However, this is not the case, as the majority of final decisions and preparations can be changed based on current needs or circumstances.

“Make the decisions you think are best now and change them when they no longer suit you and your needs,” advises Kopka, who also launched her financial planning firm to help people dealing with tough situations cipher through their options. “It is good to have trusted professionals to consult.”

Of course, having a trusted professional on your side is also essential if you are suddenly forced to deal with the unfortunate reality of having to pre-plan a funeral or celebration of life. Our compassionate Dignity Memorial experts get all the details set ahead of time, so when a loved one passes all of the most difficult choices have already been made.

A proper memorial begins with pre-planning final arrangements. This is a way to help relieve the emotional and financial burdens that survivors and families experience. “On my own, I rewrote my plans for the fifth time,” added Kopka. “When Keith was dying, I noted his wishes. As an example, this included who he wanted to speak at his funeral. I have pre-planned to great extent for myself and I have written down my choices. My children know where I keep my ‘Letter of Intent,’ which contains my final wishes and intentions along with where to access my other important documents.”

Planning ahead for memorialization is a great way to ensure that your final wishes are met and your loved ones will have to deal with as little uncertainty as possible. For more information on how to establish a truly memorable place or means of celebrating a remarkable life, call 910-799-1686 or visit www.DignityMemorial.com.

910.799.1686 | DIGNITYMEMORIAL.COM

Michael Higgins is Sales Manager for Dignity Memorial®, which cares for more than 300,000 families each year through its network of more than 2,000 providers throughout North America. Learn more at www.dignitymemorial.com, or call Greenlawn Memorial Park, Oleander Memorial Gardens and Coble Funeral and Cremation Services at Greenlawn Memorial Park, (910) 799-1686.

JAMES E. MOORE

GAINING PEACE OF MIND IN TURBULENT TIMES

Severe weather, political and social turmoil, unemployment, a global pandemic…this past year has been a challenge. One thing is for sure, all the time spent at home and out of our usual routines has helped us distinguish “wants” from “needs.”

Understanding what’s really important in life — like good health and the welfare of loved ones — brings clarity and empowers us to set goals to achieve a satisfying life. Add to that the right insurance coverage and you will also have peace of mind while pursuing those goals.

Are you downsizing to a smaller home, purchasing a new car or perhaps need new glasses? Do you need help paying medical bills or want to offset the cost of assisted living? Are you starting or expanding a business?

Whatever your goals, James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc. can streamline the process of finding the right personal or business insurance to care for yourself, your family, and even your business.

Make an appointment to talk with us. Share your goals and concerns and we will identify what will meet your specific needs. We take time to answer your questions without all the jargon because we want to get it right for you. Working together, we’ll help you choose the best coverage within your budget. The last thing you need is to overpay to be underinsured!

Our agency represents toprated national and regional carriers, including those that offer wind and hail coverage on their homeowner’s policy. In addition, we are one of the largest coastal agents for flood insurance.

As this year unfolds, and we all create the “new normal” for our lives, think how relieved you’ll be to know you have the right insurance products in place. Think how good you’ll feel knowing you can deal with life’s stresses — and have the resilience to bounce back from adversity.

We at James E. Moore Insurance Agency believe that is truly peace of mind. And you deserve to have it. Adrienne Moore is COO and 3rd generation owner of James E. Moore Insurance Agency, Inc. Established in 1954, it has become one of the most trusted independent insurance agencies in North Carolina. It is a family-owned business offering homeowners, automobile, life and health, employee benefits, and commercial insurance products. For more information, call 910.256.5333 or visit the agency’s website at www.jamesemoore.com.

910.256.5333 | JAMESEMOORE.COM

MARKRAFT CABINETS

REMODELING YOUR BATHROOM? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

Whether you’re planning on staying in your current home or listing it for sale, a bathroom remodel – when done correctly – can payoff significantly. Renovations to any part of your home can be stressful, but with the right team helping to organize the steps and guide you through the process, your new space will increase in functionality, reflect your personal design style, and boost your property value as well. Consider these simple tips when taking the first steps to remodel your bathroom.

Storage Is Essential

On top of the wish list for many homeowners is a longer vanity with extra counterspace or an extra spacious walk-in shower. While these upgrades are certainly luxurious and sought after by many, don’t forget about your storage needs. If taking up extra space for a soaking tub or adding a window is important, try to choose one or the other so that there is still room in your design plan to incorporate space for storage cabinets. Things like towels, toiletries, and beauty products will still need to be easily accessed, organized, and out-of-sight. Adding storage space with custom bathroom cabinetry is exactly what the design professionals at Markraft are experts in. They can help you incorporate your wish list items into your new bathroom along with plenty of clever cabinet storage space.

Color Can Change the Size of Your Space

With so many different paint colors to choose from, deciding on just one can be a challenge, however when choosing paint colors for a bathroom, your color palette should stay within the light color spectrum. This not only helps narrow down your color choice by removing hundreds of other colors, but it will also help your space feel larger. While you might be attracted to a deep navy blue, golden yellow, or an earthy brown, these dark, rich colors can make small spaces feel closed-in and claustrophobic. Instead, look at color pallets that include white, ivory, and light grey. Many of these light colors can have undertones of purple, green, and blue giving a bit of depth to your light color choice.

Making a Statement with Countertops

Granite countertops provide durability, stain resistance, and are long lasting. They also come in a variety of colors to tie into almost any bathroom design. Many homeowners choose granite for its durability in comparison to marble, which is a softer stone and more prone to stains, chips, and cracks with heavy use. However, if you are inclined to use marble in your home, using it in your bathroom is a better option than in a kitchen because the general wear and tear on bathroom countertops doesn’t compare to what we put our kitchen countertops through. Manufactured quartz is another countertop option that mimics the look of granite, marble, and limestone. This is a

910.793.0202 | MARKRAFT.COM

synthetic material that is made up of mostly quartz particles. Manufactured quartz is available in a wide selection of colors and is more durable than natural stone.

The designers at Markraft have the knowledge and experience to make any of your bathroom remodel dreams come to life – from a simple powder room to an elaborate en suite. They are looking forward to talking with you about starting your customized design plan, so give them a call today at 910-793-0202 or stop by the showroom.

President and General Manager Cee Edwards and his team of talented designers invites you to visit Markraft’s Design Studio, 2705 Castle Creek Lane, just off Castle Hayne Road. Markraft’s professional kitchen and bath designers consult by appointment.

MCKEE HOMES

HOMEBUYING IN 2021

If you have become frustrated trying to find a new home in this crazy 2021 real estate market, you are not alone. A number of factors have combined to create the “perfect storm” seller’s market leaving homebuyers scrambling to submit bids on the shrinking available inventory of homes for sale.

New Construction

With less than two months’ supply of available homes on the market, many homebuyers are looking at new construction as an alternative to pre-owned homes. Homebuilders are constantly developing new communities and homesites, and putting new homes on the market, adding to the available inventory of homes.

Between the unpredictable price of materials and land coupled with supply-chain issues caused by the pandemic, many homebuilders are taking homes off the market, or not listing them until their homes are far enough along that the builder’s cost can be accurately assessed. This has led to even more homebuyer frustration with buyers scrambling to find new homes in the areas they want to live.

Solutions For Homebuyers

To help meet the increasing demand for new homes and help their buyers meet their closing date, many homebuilders are temporarily changing how they do business. Homes and homesites in new communities are under limitedrelease restrictions as builders can’t accurately predict how much the homes will cost them to build a few months down the road. To solve some of these common issues, McKee Homes is starting to choose specific floorplans, options and upgrades for each available homesite in most of our new and upcoming communities and phases. That way the materials can be ordered far enough in advance to get the home completed without major delays. This allows our homebuyers to feel confident they can close and move into their new homes according to the preset dates and schedules set when the contract is signed. Find A New Home

McKee Homes has quick move-in home inventory in select communities in their Raleigh, Wilmington, Pinehurst and Fayetteville area markets. With new communities and phases in existing communities opening soon, we are doing our best to help our homebuyers find the home of their dreams in this crazy housing market. Our award-winning designs are built with quality in mind and backed by our 2-10 homeowner’s warranty. Our warranty includes 10 YEARS of structural warranty, 2 YEARS of distribution systems such as

910.672.7296 | MCKEEHOMESNC.COM

electrical, HVAC and plumbing, and 1 YEAR workmanship and materials defects. Financing Your New Home

In the current real estate market, being able to quickly get prequalified and know you can obtain a mortgage by a certain date can be the difference between owning a new home or missing out on the home of your dreams.

Our in-house lender, Vision Lending Services, was created to do all that and more for McKee Homes’ homebuyers. The Vision Lending team is available seven days a week and makes sure that every step of the home buying process is simple, easy to understand and as transparent as possible.

Brenna started working for McKee Homes back in 2016 as a New Home Sales Consultant and was recently promoted to the Wilmington Area Sales Manager!

PATHFINDER WEALTH CONSULTING

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH CHANGE FOR RETIREMENT?

When I was 7 years old, I wanted to be a veterinarian. In high school, I set my sights on journalism and becoming the next Katie Couric. At 19, I declared a major in Psychology, then pursued an MBA. Today, I have a career I love in the financial services industry and I teach writing classes in my free time. My professional ambitions evolved significantly over the past 30-something years.

While the details of my story are unique, the idea of our dreams changing is common. It is highly improbable to believe you will maintain the same vision for your future over the next several decades. Preferences change, personalities evolve, and experiences shape the course of our lives. We learn more about ourselves every day.

There was a study conducted that explored self-perception. It started with a group of 18-year-olds, and they were asked how well they felt they knew themselves, on a scale of 1-10. Most scored themselves at 7-8.

When the same group was 40 years old, they were asked “how well did you know yourself when you were 18?” Most people said 4-5. Then they were asked, “how well do you know yourself now?” Most scored themselves at 8-9.

Finally, as they were turning 70, the group was asked, “how well did you know yourself when you were 18?” Most said 1-2. And “how well did you know yourself at 40?” Most said 4-5. And “how well do you know yourself now?” Most said 8-9.

The point of this study is not to say that 18- or 40-yearolds lack true self-perception; rather, that as we age, we continuously change. My dreams of being a veterinarian evolved into being the world’s best dog mom, and my love of words led me from journalism to a career in marketing and writing. The core of who I am has not changed, but the way my professional passions manifested look very different than I would have guessed.

At Pathfinder, our mission is to get you thinking about your perfect retirement. You may assume you will figure it out when you get there, but by not taking the time to intentionally prepare, you are doing yourself a great disservice. Making your retirement years a “success” goes beyond having enough money in the bank.

When planning for a holistic retirement, it is wise to start early. We are urged to start early on the financial side, but we are not necessarily taught to start early in other areas, including maintaining strong health practices, having meaningful activities, sustaining relationships, living with a sense of purpose, and yes, having the financial security that allows us to live out the next phase of life in a meaningful way. This stage of life requires courage and the commitment to live big. If you are ready to start planning for the next best years of your life, give us a call at 910.793.0616 or visit our website. We are here to guide you forward.

Katie Henderson is Marketing Director for Pathfinder Wealth Consulting, an independent financial planning and investment management firm in Wilmington. Pathfinder’s comprehensive financial planning process is driven by a step-by-step process that will direct each individual down the path of developing their financial goals and putting them into

910.793.0616 | PWCPATH.COM 4018 OLEANDER DRIVE, SUITE 102, WILMINGTON, NC 28403

TEACHINGHORSE

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER

Hi. My name is Beth Hyjek, I am one of the co-founders of TeachingHorse, LLC. TeachingHorse is a leadership development company that offers virtual and in-person experiences with horses. Our approach to leadership development is inspired by how horses lead their herds.

The draw that often brings people to TeachingHorse is discovering how horses share leadership and collaborate to move through uncertainty. However, they are often surprised to learn that gender roles are a social construct that do not exist the same way outside of human culture.

All the horses contribute to the health, harmony, and unity of the herd. Equality is not an issue. There is no preassigned narrative or expectation to what role a horse will play. What horses do so exquisitely is take on the role that is in the best interest of the whole herd in the present moment.

One of my fondest memories of watching horses share leadership is when we started the weaning process between our mare, Yani, and her foal, Grace. We had only two other herd members at that time, Harley, Yani's "main squeeze" and Rocky, the loveable but cantankerous "grandpa" of the herd. When you wean a foal from its mother, they must be in separate locations. We knew that Yani would be best served during this process to be with Harley. However, we didn't expect how beautifully Rocky would step into his role as the primary caregiver of Grace. Through our "human lens" including the biases of gender, we had doubts of how Rocky would respond to this new role. Rocky never balked at the request, no muttering under his breath that this is "women's work," no bruised ego...Rocky stepped right in and took Grace under his "wing" and started teaching her how to be a part of a herd.

Interestingly, what was equally fascinating was the "conversation" between Yani and Rocky when they all came back together as a herd. Yani charged into the pasture to reassert herself as Grace's mom, and Rocky placed himself in between Grace and Yani as if to say, "Now, hold up, this is my baby too.” Over a few days, Yani and Rocky worked out how they would individually and collectively contribute to Grace's nurturing and harmony was restored.

Horses do not cling to "titles" or "expertise" or even the "plot of land" they are standing on; to do so would be a waste of the herd's energy and would comprise their well-being. The willingness to go to where you are needed makes a herd agile, adaptable, and resilient. We, as a human species, are searching for ways to find agility, adaptability, and resilience in the new normal. The wisdom we need is here and horses are the perfect teachers.

919.333.9961 | TEACHINGHORSE.COM

Beth Hyjek’s background is in writing for the stage and screen. She holds a MFA from St. Mary’s College of California and a BFA from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. Beth brings her passion for narratives to her work with TeachingHorse by creating experiences with the horses where people can identify stories that are no longer serving them and start to explore new stories that expand their leadership possibilities.