Lance Jehn, Encompass Inspections, Phoenix, Arizona
Lance Jehn is one of the many entrepreneurs across Arizona, a state hard-hit by the economic downturn, who is working undauntedly to create new sources of commerce. As new construction slowed across the Phoenix area, Lance noted that increased activity in the renovation and remodeling of large existing buildings required concrete scanning. Already the owner of a masonry company, Lance learned more about concrete scanning and decided to launch Encompass Inspections, a new venture providing ground-penetrating radar services to the construction industry.
Lance approached a local bank for a startup loan and they referred him to ACCION.
“I had enough cash in the bank to purchase the equipment,” said Lance, “but I wanted a loan to protect my cash position, build business credit, and have peace of mind that I still had money in the bank.” Lance found the loan he sought at ACCION and Encompass Inspections became the 3,000th business to be financed by the organization. The young business is doing well—Lance’s sales projections for 2011 were realized by mid-year and he is making plans to bring a third employee on board before the end of the year.
Lance’s motivation is simple and powerful, “I want to provide for my family. I launched the masonry company when my daughter turned one. Now, with my second business, I want to earn the ability to spend more time with my family,” he says. Lance doesn’t shy away from the hard work entailed. He says, “I love the freedom of being in business—the fact that the future depends on how hard I work.”