Lisa Hulett, owner of Infinity Tan in Waterloo, Illinois, understands firsthand the value of having a community bank that stands by your business - especially when the unexpected arises.
Lisa Hulett has banked locally for most of her life. After all, she opened her first account at State Bank when she was just 16. But it was when she was a small business owner during the Covid-19 pandemic that she truly recognized the value of having a local business banking partner like State Bank.
“When Covid hit, and we had to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, Amira was a great help to me,” Hulett says of State Bank Vice President and Relationship Manager Amira Kujundzic. Hulett, who owns Infinity Tan in Waterloo, built her new building at 736 North Market Street in 2019. The new location opened in Suite A in June 2020, during the height of the pandemic.
Hulett credits State Bank with helping her business survive, ensuring the PPP funds were available quickly so she could continue to pay her employees during the shutdown.
“They were so efficient. I feel like had I banked somewhere else, I probably wouldn’t have been in a good position. Because State Bank still has that small town feel I got my funds a lot quicker than some other people did.”
— Lisa Hulett, Owner of Infinity Tan
Hulett also credits State Bank employees with putting in the extra time and effort to help her business survive and eventually thrive.
“It was like having a big bank with a small-town vibe,” Hulett said.
“Amira gave me the support that I needed. Any time I needed her, I had her personal cell phone number, and she was there for me during that whole time. She gave me advice and helped push things through.”
Hulett and her husband, Bill Hulett, originally started their tanning business in February 2008 as a Tan Co. franchise at 875 North Illinois Street in Waterloo. After 10 years, they worked with lenders at State Bank to build a new mutli-business space on North Market Street.They reopened Infinity Tan at their new location as an independently-owned tanning business. Infinity offers tanning, spray tanning and a variety of infrared therapy.
“We’ve built such a good rapport with our clients, they just kept coming back and referring to friends,” Hulett said. “We’ve built a very well-oiled machine.”
In 2022, the Huletts opened a second business, Serenity Massage & Spa. Located in the same business complex, 736 North Market Street, Serenity offers massage and full aesthetic services like facials, hydrafacials, peels and waxing.
The Huletts partnered with State Bank once again to fund construction of Serenity.
“I feel like their support through lending and customer service has helped us over the years. Their customer service is second to none. Whether we need to make a deposit with Kayce or go in and talk to a loan officer, it's just easy.”
— Lisa Hulett, Owner of Infinity Tan
Over the years, the Huletts have had both their personal and business accounts at State Bank, from checking and savings accounts to business loans. Now, their children have accounts at State Bank, and they often refer friends and business associates.
Kayce Schaefer, branch manager at State Bank’s North Pointe Branch in Waterloo, says that partnering with small business owners like Hulett is one of the most fulfilling aspects of community banking.
"Helping local businesses manage their daily banking needs is incredibly rewarding," Schaefer explains. "It allows us to play a role in keeping their operations on track."
As for the Huletts, they happily spread the word about their relationship with State Bank.
“Any time anybody asks ‘who do you use for your banking?’ we always recommend State Bank,” Hulett says.
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