Client Success Stories – U.S. Businesses Funded by Nicolas Lescalier

Over the past decade I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of entrepreneurs across the United States access the capital they need to grow. Whether securing a merchant cash advance for a restaurant chain, arranging a fixed‑rate term loan for a manufacturer or structuring bridge financing for a contractor, each client’s success story highlights how creative funding solutions can transform a business. These examples illustrate the breadth of my work and show how tailor‑made financing can unlock opportunities in any sector.

Expanding a restaurant chain with a Merchant Cash Advance

Client: A family‑owned quick‑service restaurant group operating three locations in Texas.

Need: The owners found a prime site for a fourth location but needed $150,000 quickly to secure the lease and start construction. Traditional bank loans were too slow and required collateral they didn’t have.

Solution: I sourced a merchant cash advance (MCA) from a U.S.‑based finance company with a factor rate of 1.25 and a 9‑month term. Because the restaurant generated the majority of its revenue via credit card transactions, the MCA allowed daily payments to be drawn as a small percentage of sales.

Outcome: The new location opened within six weeks. The flexible repayment structure meant cash flow didn’t suffer; in fact, the daily repayment percentage adjusted automatically when sales fluctuated. After nine months the MCA was fully repaid, and the group’s annual revenue increased by 40%.

Modernizing manufacturing with a term loan

Client: A precision metal fabricator in Michigan with a 20‑year track record.

Need: To stay competitive, the company needed a new five‑axis CNC machine costing $500,000. Their bank only offered 50% financing and required a blanket lien on all assets.

Solution: I arranged a $500,000 term loan through a non‑bank lender at a 6.9% fixed rate amortized over five years. Collateral was limited to the new equipment, and we negotiated an option for early payoff without penalty.

Outcome: With the new machine, the shop reduced production time by 30% and captured several high‑margin aerospace contracts. Revenue grew 25% in the first year, and the company paid off the loan early using retained profits.

Bridging cash flow for a contractor

Client: A general contractor in California awarded a municipal infrastructure contract requiring substantial material purchases upfront.

Need: The municipality paid invoices net 60, leaving a cash gap that would have halted progress without financing.

Solution: I structured a $750,000 bridge loan with monthly interest‑only payments and a six‑month term. Collateral included progress payments and a secondary lien on equipment. The loan funded within 10 days, allowing the contractor to purchase materials and pay subcontractors.

Outcome: The project was completed on time. When the municipality paid its invoices, the contractor repaid the bridge loan with interest and secured a bonus for early completion. This success led to new contracts and growth from 12 to 20 employees.

Refinancing a Chicago commercial property

Client: A real estate investor owning a three‑story mixed‑use building in Chicago.

Need: Their existing mortgage carried a 9% interest rate with onerous covenants and was set to balloon in two years. The investor wanted lower payments and to free up capital for building improvements.

Solution: We refinanced into a 10‑year fixed‑rate loan at 6.3% with a 25‑year amortization, plus a $200,000 cash‑out component. The new lender allowed non‑recourse financing based on the property’s strong cash flows.

Outcome: Monthly payments decreased by 35%, and the investor used the cash‑out proceeds to renovate the apartments and storefront. Within 18 months, net operating income increased by 20%, and the property’s value appreciated substantially.

Establishing a working capital line for an eCommerce retailer

Client: A rapidly growing eCommerce seller in Florida specializing in wellness products.

Need: The business experienced seasonal surges and needed a revolving line of credit to buy inventory and maintain advertising spend during slow months.

Solution: I secured a $300,000 revolving line of credit from an alternative lender with an 18 month draw period. The line allowed draws as needed with interest only on outstanding balances and no early termination fee.

Outcome: The retailer smoothed cash flow, maintained ad spend, and doubled sales year over year. After repaying the line, the company qualified for a larger facility at a lower rate through a bank relationship I facilitated.

While each business and financing product is unique, a few themes emerge:

Speed matters: Quick access to capital can mean the difference between seizing an opportunity and losing out. Whether through an MCA or a bridge loan, I prioritize rapid approvals.
Fit-to-cash-flow structures: Repayment schedules match the client’s revenue patterns, ensuring financing supports growth rather than constraining it.
Transparency: Clients understand the cost of capital, including factor rates, interest, and fees.
Long‑term impact: Every deal is designed to strengthen the business’s financial position and open doors to future financing at better terms.

Next steps

If you’re ready to write your own success story, visit our U.S. services hub to explore options or contact me for a confidential consultation. You can also read U.S. funding reviews and see why U.S. clients trust Nicolas.

External resource: For more examples of how funding fuels small business growth, see the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Success Story archive.