Prosthetics Clinic Gets a Leg-Up with SBA Loan

Plano, TX - Certified prosthetist Gary Strobel started his clinic, Strobel & Associates Prosthetics of Plano, Texas, with his practitioner assistant, Candy Paquette, in 2001. Both had spent some years working for a large multi-state company before striking out on their own. Fears of failure and competition with large companies for insurance approvals were overcome once they finally began working autonomously.

Access to capital becomes such a key factor to the success of any business. That is where PMC Commercial Trust, Dallas, Texas, became a critical partner for Strobel. In 2001, PMC Commercial Trust made a U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan of $100,000 to Strobel & Associates.

SBA loans are made by commercial lenders and the SBA provides a guarantee to the lender for a participation of that loan. This is a great deal for small businesses because it provides the lender with an opportunity to extend the terms when they have an SBA guarantee in place. For any new business start-up, extended terms means lower monthly payments and that is so critical when a small business is trying to get off the ground.

Strobel’s interest in the field began as a boy when he noticed a ‘shiny foot’ in the grocery store checkout line. In high school, art and shop classes were his loves, and prosthetics now allows him to use his gifts in both areas. Paquette became an amputee at 12 years of age, and one of her early mentors sent her to visit with new amputees to explain the process and quiet their fears. Between her connections with prosthetics-wearers on a personal level and Strobel’s clinical ability and originality, the business has prospered. Fortunately for the company, many of Strobel’s weaknesses are also Paquette’s strengths; therefore, the team balances each other in areas such as organization.

Leaving a corporate environment where numbers projections were ‘all-important’ to become an entrepreneur has been a challenge. Patience and understanding of the clients has been rewarding, as Strobel’s considerate approach is vital for prosthetists. Close involvement with amputee groups has been a source of business and friendships within the community. Strobel and Paquette’s relationship, both personal and professional, has been a main source of their continuous success and something their competition has tried to emulate.

Strobel & Associates has maintained consistent levels of business since its inception, and its future growth is very promising.

For more information about all of the SBA’s programs for small businesses, visit the SBA’s extensive Web site at www.sba.gov.

Gary Strobel, Owner
Strobel & Associates Prosthetics
221 W. Parker Road, Suite 510
Plano, TX 75123
972-516-9538