Credibly Story: Mark VanderZanden, Owner of Surround Architecture [Video]

Over the past 16 years, Portland-based architectural firm Surround Architecture, Inc., has brought its user-focused design aesthetic to retail spaces, public parks, residential houses, and the corporate headquarters of companies like Dakine and Keen.

But as with any company that relies on large contracts, uneven cash flow was a regular challenge for Surround. “When we get new projects, we need to be able to pay our employees and buy equipment, and often times we won’t get paid for months,” explains owner and creative director Mark VanderZanden in this Credibly Story video.

After going through the difficult process of trying to borrow capital from banks, VanderZanden became a Credibly customer in 2015. “I turned to Credibly because it seemed as though it was going to be simple and easy, and it turned out to be quite easy,” VanderZanden says. “For me, it was a great learning experience, to see that there’s alternatives to conventional banks to get capital.”

Building a relationship with Credibly paid off immediately, and allowed VanderZanden to grow his business. “When I turned to Credibly, we had just received a new commission for a pretty large hotel project, and I was able to feel comfortable hiring staff and buying equipment that we needed.”

VanderZanden recently renewed his funding, and expects Surround Architecture to exceed $1.5 million in revenue this year, thanks in part to the funding support he got from Credibly.

“I found it super effective for us, and would recommend Credibly to other architects or other small business owners in a heartbeat,” VanderZanden says.

Get to know Mark VanderZanden’s story in the video above, and follow Surround Architecture, Inc. on Pinterest and Tumblr for a look at their current work and inspirations.