Schulz Fitness GmbHMatthias Schulz, Managing Director of Schulz Fitness GmbH, successfully applied for a “Hamburg Loan Micro”.
Actually everything was perfect: Matthias Schulz’s fitness studio in Rahlstedt has been firmly established on the market since 2013 and the number of members is stable. But shortly before the company’s tenth anniversary, investments were made – in the ventilation system, in new training equipment and in the drinks bar. Normally, Schulz, managing director of Schulz Fitness GmbH, would have covered the costs from on-board funds. But rent increases and high energy prices also caused problems for him, and: “We were closed for nine and a half months during Corona. “That set us back, even though we had hardly lost any members,” he reports.
Finally, his studio offers EASYFITNESS Hamburg-Rahlstedt offers a wide range of equipment and courses for fitness enthusiasts on 1,500 square meters. Due to the location near the A1 motorway, sports fans also come from the surrounding area, and there are also cooperations with hockey and football clubs that regularly train here. Since Schulz runs the studio as a franchise, members can also use all classic sports clubs of the same label. “Ten years ago I was the only one, today there are eight studios in Hamburg – with lively exchange between the districts,” says Schulz.
Despite the good conditions, his bank refused a new loan for the planned investments. However, she recommended that he take out a “Hamburg loan micro”. Hamburg Investment and Development Bank (IFB Hamburg) to apply, a relatively new offer for Hamburg businesses that was launched during the Corona crisis. The loan program is aimed at small businesses that want to further develop their business model and the self-employed.
Start-ups and company takeovers are also supported. From the fifth year of business onwards, a company can receive funding of up to 40,000 euros; for younger companies, the amount is between 5,000 and 25,000 euros. The term of the loan is six years, the interest rate is fixed over the entire term, and the first six months are repayment-free.
The “Hamburg-Kredit Mikro” is aimed at small companies, the self-employed and members of the freelance professions. He supports them in starting up businesses, expanding and taking over businesses, and in purchasing operating resources. For start-ups and businesses up to their fifth financial year, the funding is between 5,000 and 25,000 euros; for longer-standing businesses, up to 40,000 euros is possible. Projects that have already begun are excluded from funding. The interest rate is subject to change; on November 2nd it was nominally 3.27 percent per year. Applications can be submitted digitally. The Chamber of Commerce advises its members free of charge on all aspects of the application process. The contact person is Sven Gabriel, telephone 36138-433.
In addition to the negative decision from a credit institution, the prerequisite for the loan application is advice from a cooperation partner such as Chamber of Commerce. It offers its members free conversations – in person or via video call. “We prepare a two-page statement and prepare the decision,” explains Sven Gabriel, consultant in the “Foundation and Promotion” team in the “Innovation and New Markets” division.
The members that Gabriel advises are as diverse as the Hamburg economy: from sports studio operators to wine wholesalers, kiosk owners and booksellers to service providers from a wide range of industries. The majority of consultations generally concern companies that are somewhat larger but have been founded up to five years ago and have up to 50 employees. “Anyone who has been on the market for a few years,” says Gabriel, “has proven themselves and also has a business plan. Please be sure to bring it with you.”
In any case, the advice led to success for Matthias Schulz. After a few weeks he had the loan approval in his pocket, and the anniversary celebration could start in October – in the newly renovated studio and with the Hamburg bench press championships taking place on the same day.
2024-01-29 23:43:12
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