A familiar place where people with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and/or psychiatric disorders feel at home. That is what Margriet Wiering and Jelmer Nanninga have in mind with Samen Sterk Wonen Wagenborgen BV. With the help of, among others, the Groninger Growth Fund, the acquisition and renovation of the Wagenborgen location was made possible. 'The Groninger Growth Fund was really the last piece of the financial puzzle for us,' says Margriet.
Margriet and Jelmer are taking over the locations of former care facility De Factor. The two locations will be merged into one in Wagenborgen. There the former day care center will be renovated and made more sustainable into a location with fifteen residential units and space for day care. In the short term, all clients will move to this renovated location. 'We wanted to continue at one location,' Margriet explains. 'That is more efficient, clearer and also fits with our vision: a small-scale place to live where everyone feels safe and comfortable.'
Renovate, preserve and improve
In Wagenborgen, renovations are now in full swing. The building will be adapted to provide space for fifteen residents, including a day care room and a barn for activities such as woodworking and gardening. Outside there will be chickens, ducks and a herb garden, so that clients can also take responsibility for animals and plants.
'We want people to come into their own here,' says Margriet. 'That they can learn, develop and be as independent as possible within their capabilities. The staff must also feel comfortable. We find that just as important.' The team consists of 12 employees and a manager, mostly the same staff that was already associated with The Factor. Margriet and Jelmer immediately set to work on professionalization: everyone has been reclassified according to the collective bargaining agreement, protocols have been tightened and new quality guidelines are being worked on.
'You notice that this gives people confidence,' says Margriet. 'We don't just go for bricks and mortar, but mainly for quality. You can also see that in the enthusiasm of the team.'
Getting funding
Funding the acquisition was quite a challenge. Margriet and Jelmer brought in money themselves, and in addition the Rabobank and the Fonds Nieuwe Doen were willing to finance. But that didn't cover everything. 'The Groninger Growth Fund jumped in as the final piece,' Margriet says. 'Their subordinated loan ensured that the other financiers also dared to do it. That really made the difference.' Gijs Vermeer of the Groninger Growth Fund immediately had confidence in the plan: 'These are entrepreneurs who complement each other well, and their qualities and background match what is needed to run a successful business.' Margriet appreciated the personal contact with fund manager Gijs Vermeer, among others. 'They really look beyond numbers at the Groninger Growth Fund,' she says. 'They visit you, want to know who you are and what your social and local motivation is. I found that very valuable. With Gijs the lines were very short, he always thought along - very quickly too - with small and larger issues.'
Gijs also looks positively on the funding and its impact: 'A beautiful funding in which we were able to complete it together with funding partners Fonds Nieuwe Doen and Rabobank. SSWW fills an important role regionally with care needs, which fits in with our social and regional goal as Groningen Growth Fund.'
Dreams and plans
For the future, Margriet sees opportunities mainly in strengthening care at this location. There are no immediate expansion plans to other locations, but there are ideas to offer outpatient counseling in the region. 'I believe we can still achieve a lot in Wagenborgen,' she says. 'Once everything goes well, we can look further. But first I want this place to be absolutely right. That the premises are beautiful, that the care is in order and that the staff feel appreciated.'
Advice for other entrepreneurs
Margriet knows better than anyone how intensive a takeover and transition can be. Her tip: "Take your time. These kinds of processes take time. What can you do in advance? Collect as much information as possible in advance. What does the municipality ask, what does the bank want to see, what figures do you need? The better your preparation, the easier the process will be.'
Where others see risks, the Groninger Growth Fund sees opportunities. Do you have a good business plan and do other financiers not dare to lend or not enough money? We continue where others stop! Because our fund takes the greatest risk and thus provides confidence, other lenders also dare to step in. This is how we help make your plans come true. Would you like to know more about how the Groninger Growth Fund can help realize your plans? Scan the code and check out the possibilities.