The company’s film “Dream” won the “Best Mid-South Film” award for 2020 at the Midsouth Black Film Festival. Tyson has already seen success with his production company. Thanks to the purchase, Tyson no longer had to pay to rent equipment, saving money for his business at a time when cutting costs was vital to surviving the pandemic. With the money, he was not only able to purchase equipment, but he also was able to cover salaries for five subcontractors.

The Reboot Loan is for businesses looking to reopen or stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic.Įxactly one week after Tyson applied for a Pivot Loan, he was told that he had received the $5,000 loan. The Pivot Loan is for businesses looking to offer additional products or services to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. The Pivot Loan was one of two Recovery Loan products created to assist small businesses through the COVID-19 crisis, the second being the Reboot Loan. Tyson applied for a Pivot Loan from Communities Unlimited on Aug. With the pandemic rapidly taking its toll on small businesses, the elimination of his main expense and the addition of a second income stream could keep his business from being one of the estimated 6 0% of businesses whose closures during the pandemic have become permanent. That way, not only would he be able to save expenses from leasing equipment from others, but he would be able to lease some of his own equipment to provide additional income. He wanted a loan to purchase his own equipment. He came to Communities Unlimited with a plan. Tyson heard about Communities Unlimited and the assistance it provides to small businesses, including offering several loan products.

Even worse, the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading rapidly across the country in Spring 2020, curtailing businesses nationwide. The practice allowed him to complete his film projects, but the rentals cut into any profit he might receive. Because filmmaking equipment was so expensive, Tyson leased the equipment he used for his business. A big part of the issue was the equi pment Tyson used. Tyson planned to use his experience as a screenwriter and film producer to create content for clients as well as his own original content.īut as his business got off the ground, Tyson struggled with the overhead costs. The business created content during annual film festivals. Tyson McClain started the Gentle Giant Creative Agency in January 2019 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Such was the case of the Gentle Giant Creative Agency, a filmmaking business based in Mississippi that serviced northern Mississippi and nearby Memphis, Tennessee. Communities Unlimited provides services for those who take a more creative turn in business. Not all small businesses fit into that mold, but they may still need guidance or financial assistance to weather the tough times. Communities Unlimited has assisted a variety of small businesses through out the years, from retail shops to restaurants and caterers.

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