Walk into any small business across America and you'll find passion, hustle, and heart. From early-morning bakers and family-run caf s to contractors, salons, and tech start-ups, small businesses keep our communities alive. They're where people gather, where jobs grow, and where dreams take shape through hard work and perseverance.

At Chartway Credit Union, we're proud to stand beside the entrepreneurs who make those dreams real. Because when small businesses thrive, our communities do too.

Fueling Growth, One Pizza at a Time

In Chesapeake, Virginia, the scent of fresh dough and bubbling cheese greets you before you even reach the door at Street Side Pizza. Inside, owner Kaher "Joe" Brothers is busy crafting pies that taste like home -- a mix of New York style and local flair.

Joe's journey to entrepreneurship wasn't a straight line. He spent years in other ventures before deciding to "retire" into something he truly loved: pizza.

"I love it, and nobody makes a good pie anymore," Joe says with a grin. "So I started Street Side, and it's been going strong."

Behind that success is a decade-long relationship with Chartway. What began with a simple car loan for his daughter grew into something much more meaningful: trust.

"They're decent people, honestly," Joe explains. "Every time I went out there, they took care of me. They're always there if I need anything. They really go out of their way to help."

For Joe, that personal connection is what makes Chartway different. "I'm going to stay with them," he says. "They've been very, very good to me."

Now, Joe's thinking about expanding into the space next door, adding a bar, maybe even introducing pasta to the menu. "People keep asking me to grow," he says. "So I'm hoping and praying to see what the future brings."

His optimism captures what small business ownership is all about: persistence, hope, and partnership.

From a Sidewalk Caf to a Utah Favorite

Across the country, in Northern Utah, Hug-Hes American Kitchen & Catering shows a similar story of community roots and steady growth.

Founded in 1988 by Blake and Kathryn (Hughes) Hawkins, Hug-Hes began as a single sidewalk caf in Ogden. Now, more than three decades later, that charm has grown into multiple caf locations across northern Utah. "Our goal is to provide more than just food," said Jordan Hawkins, now the owner. "It's about giving people a place to come together with friends and family and feel like they belong."

That philosophy mirrors Chartway's. As a not-for-profit credit union embedded in Utah's business landscape, Chartway proudly supports entrepreneurs like the owners of Hug-Hes who invest their lives into the places they love.

"We bank with Chartway Credit Union," Hawkins says. "They've been a great business-banking partner since 2021. You get all the benefits of a credit union but for business--that local, homegrown feel rather than a big bank."

That sense of personal connection extends to the team who handle the restaurant's day-to-day banking. "When I walk in, I feel like family," says Missy Garbowitz, general manager of Hug-Hes' Stansbury Park, UT location. "They know me by name, they know what I need, and they always take care of me. It's like visiting friends."

Growth like theirs takes more than good recipes. It requires the right financial tools: accounts that simplify daily operations, effective cash-flow management to keep vendors paid, and merchant services that make transactions seamless for guests. Chartway's Business Banking solutions help restaurants like Hug-Hes continue to expand while staying true to their community roots.

The Human Side of Business Banking

When small business owners talk about what matters most, one word comes up consistently: relationships.

Interestingly, recent research from The Financial Brand found that more than 60% of business owners still prefer to communicate with their financial institution by phone or in person. So, even as digital tools become indispensable, meaningful connections remain the cornerstone of lasting loyalty - and that's where credit unions stand apart!

Chartway's Business Banking blends digital convenience with personal connection, creating an ecosystem with modern tools to save time and has real people available to answer questions, solve problems, and celebrate milestones alongside our members. We make it easy for them to open accounts quickly, handle transactions from their mobile phones, and access real-time financial insights.

Our Chartway business members enjoy Premium Checking accounts to help them manage cash flow online or through mobile banking, and ACH origination and online wire transfers to simplify payroll and payments. Merchant services and point-of-sale tools make it easy to process transactions and get funds fast. And for those businesses ready to invest in growth, Chartway offers flexible commercial loans and equipment financing that keep them moving forward.

The balance between technology and humanity is exactly where Chartway shines. Each of our solutions is designed around how business owners actually work -- balancing efficiency, security, and personal service. We're a financial partner who knows their names, celebrates their wins, understands their challenges, and makes doing business just a little bit easier every day.

Why Supporting Small Businesses Matters

Every local business tells a story -- of courage, creativity, and community. When you buy a meal from a neighborhood caf or pick up takeout from a family-run pizza shop, you're not just making a purchase. You're investing in someone's dream, in local jobs, and in the character of your community.

Chartway is proud to play a part in those stories. Whether we're helping a new entrepreneur open their first account, guiding an established business through expansion, or celebrating long-time members who've built legacies of service, we know that small businesses are the foundation of thriving communities.

They create opportunity. They spark innovation. They make our neighborhoods vibrant and unique.

Let's Build What's Next -- Together

At Chartway, we believe every small business deserves a financial partner that sees its potential and shares its vision. Our business banking team is here to help you manage cash flow, simplify payments, and plan for what's next, with the same local focus and personalized care that defines everything we do.

Because when small businesses dream big, we all win.

Learn more about Chartway Business Banking at Chartway.com.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided reflects product details available at the time of publication and is subject to change without notice. Because blogs may be outdated, please verify current product availability and terms before making financial decisions.