Maternal Wellness

Six of the practice’s 16 jobs were added during the pandemic, and Wicklund said two additional clinicians will soon be coming on board.

She also launched “The Collective” as part of the practice, which provides the complementary cares services of several other local, women-owned businesses under one roof as well as additional resources.

As the deal started to move forward, Wicklund’s banker at Republic Bank recommended she meet with Seedcopa, a nonprofit certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration to assist with SBA 504 loans and promote economic development in communities in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

She worked with Marie Shires, vice president and relationship manager, Seedcopa. As a part of the Economic Aid Act signed into law at the end of December 2020, the loan request became eligible for SBA covered loan payments for three months, with no repayment necessary.

One of the advantages of the SBA 504 loan is its structure, according to Shires.

“The bank typically finances 50%, the SBA finances up to 40%, and there is a 10% down payment for the borrower,” she said. The SBA portion is a long-term fixed-rate, with borrowers able to lock in the rate for the life of the loan.

“Her specialty is extremely interesting and obviously during COVID so many people have been coping with emotional circumstances. Being a woman in this business myself, I am able to assist many of them and I feel a special connection.” Marie Shires, vice president and relationship manager, Seedcopa

Wicklund said the 10% down payment instead of 20% made a “huge difference.”

Shires said she found Wicklund’s personality “infectious.”

“Her specialty is interesting extremely and obviously during COVID so many people have been coping with emotional circumstances,” Shires said, adding she has a passion for women-owned businesses. “Being a woman in this business myself, I am able to assist many of them and I feel a special connection.”

Shires added that one of the benefits of the program is that clients like Wicklund can turn their lease payments into a mortgage payment “to help create wealth” for themselves.

Wicklund said she is already thinking ahead and is looking to expand as the reputation of Maternal Wellness Center grows.

“I will go back to Seedcopa to make another purchase — we will run out of room here in not too long,” she said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN BARONE PHOTOGRAPHY A view of Maternal Wellness Center, 67Byberry Road in Hatboro. Kellie Wicklund, owner and clinical director for the mental health practice, relocated the business in September. The new location is more than twice the size of its previous facility in Abington.