Katie Taylor, Main Street’s Assistant Vice President – Communications, interviews Maopepe “Mao” Gaoteote. Mao has over ten years of lending experience in wholesale and Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Click here for Mao’s bio.
- In what ways do you think Main Street Launch brings value to our communities?
Aside from our ability to deploy capital, the resources Main Street has to offer in both pre- and post- loan technical assistance are not only beneficial to our clients, but to the communities in which we serve. Sometimes is more than just access to capital: small business owners are empowered by those that listen and understand their needs. We see transformation in entrepreneurs, small businesses, investors, and partnership, which builds stronger communities in return.
- In what ways do you work with our clients?
My first encounter with a clients is through the Relationship Manager, who is assessing the eligibility of his/her client for an SBA loan product. With 8+ years of SBA and over 10+ years in lending, my role at Main Street focuses on loan closing, compliance, SBA Loan Modifications and Liquidations. I work with both the borrowers and the SBA in all of these cases.
- What inspires or motivates you about your work with clients?
What’s inspiring is when I am sitting across the room with a client, ready to sign, seal, and deliver! It does come with great reward to see smiles of those borrowers, to know that we, Main Street, have made dreams a reality. Then, to walk down the street for lunch in cities in which we serve, and see our borrowers operating is a motivation. It’s a true testament of what we do within our communities.
- What do you enjoy about working at Main Street Launch?
Diversity is strength, and it’s why I enjoy working at Main Street. We are one family, united in our mission. We have different objectives, but the same goals: to empower and transform businesses and communities.
