Microfinance at Work in Boston: Video Success Story Series
Meet Adam Lantheaume, owner and founder of The Boston Shaker Inc., in the second post of our video borrower success story series, brought to you as part of our “Microfinance: It’s Not Charity, It’s a Chance” holiday awareness campaign and fund drive.
Adam is sprucing up the “specialty cocktail” industry by selling imported garnishes, hard to find cocktail bitters, staple barware and cocktail books. The Boston Shaker provides the ingredients and classes to build the ‘know how’ for hosting a cocktail party, or enjoying cocktails from the comfort of home.
How is Adam’s business making a difference?
The Boston Shaker Inc. is working to be ‘economy friendly’. “My business is helping people who, in this soft economy, are starting to do more things themselves at home rather than spending money going out.” Customers of The Boston Shaker are hailing from all over and latching to this idea! “That enthusiasm and the excitement I get from my customers is what keeps me going”, says Adam.
Adam is working hard to start small and expand his business, and opportunities for future employment. Adam recently moved into his own storefront space, after finding an innovative way to share rental space with a local retail store. “It was a really positive experience for both parties. [After sharing space], I better understand my future business goals and now, with my own four walls, I can do a lot more for the community that I’ve been trying to help.”
Encounter with ACCION USA
Adam learned about ACCION USA’s business loans by attending one of our free financial education seminars, The Fundamentals of Running a Successful Small Business. When he was ready, he applied for a small business loan to purchase materials for his classes and attend an annual gathering of the top individuals in his industry. As a recipient of the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream Loan Fund at ACCION USA, Adam has taken advantage of the program’s speed coaching events, meeting one on one with experts to gain valuable advice.
Cheers to that!
Check out The Boston Shaker for your holiday shopping needs.