LeAF: Legal & Financial Support that Opens the Door to Capital

Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles a small business owner has to face. It's rarely a matter as simple as finding a lender willing to say yes. Before a business begins the loan application process, they need to be able to show clean books, sound contracts, and a legal structure that can support growth. That’s where the NH SBDC’s LeAF program steps in. 

With expert legal and financial guidance, the LeAF program empowers New Hampshire entrepreneurs to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Through LeAF, New Hampshire's State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) program connects eligible small businesses with up to five hours of free, one-on-one consulting from experienced attorneys and financial professionals. Unlike a loan or grant, this lays the groundwork for making those things possible for NH businesses. For many of the entrepreneurs NH SBDC works with, that solid foundation can be the difference between a business that's bankable and one that’s not. 

Clean Books for a Smoother Loan Process

For Susan Chung, the support was financial. Working with LeAF bookkeeper, Lydia West, Susan was able to get her 2024 taxes filed correctly and apply for grants through NH Community Loan Fund. With accurate financial statements in place, she's now pursuing an additional loan through NH CLF to sustain the business as it grows, something that would have been out of reach without the financial clarity LeAF brought. 

Fully Funded thanks to Solid Legal Footing

Heather Servant has spent the past year working with LeAF on the legal side of opening a bar in downtown Keene. She’s worked on structuring her company appropriately, negotiating equity, forming contracts, and navigating a lease. With a strong foundation, Heather recently raised $140,000 through friends and family. She hit her $7,500 goal on Kiva (a crowdfunding site) and fully funded the next stage of her business. She begins renovation on her new space October 2026. 

In the words of Legal Advisor, Amy Cann, “As an attorney, one of my core responsibilities is helping business owners identify, avoid, and minimize legal and financial risks before they become costly problems. That’s why being a part of the LeAF program is so meaningful. With this support, we’re able to offer proactive, strategic guidance that empowers small businesses to grow with confidence. It’s incredibly rewarding to see entrepreneurs gain access to the tools and funding they need, while also understanding how to protect what they’re building.”  

As with many other businesses, LeAF gave Heather the legal structure and confidence to take her business to funders.

Getting Contracts Right Before Applying for Growth Capital

SBDC client, Stephen Bogan, is launching Friends4Life LLC, a support services business for individuals with disabilities. Through LeAF, he worked with an attorney to draft contracts and think through the legal risks of starting a business in a high-stakes field. The work changed Stephen’s timeline. Rather than applying for an SBA loan right away to expand into residential services, he's holding off until the business is further along, a decision made with the guidance of his SBDC advisor.

"LeAF is a critical part of the journey when it comes to navigating business," Stephen said. "Working with the LeAF attorney helped me gain clarity on regulations around my business and form a necessary document for one of my business plans. I also plan to apply for an SBA loan to expand my business and the services we provide."

That pattern shows up across LeAF advisors' client rosters. Business owners who intended to apply for financing immediately often decide to wait, not because the opportunity isn't there, but because LeAF gives them the chance to build even stronger financials and legal footing first. This puts them in a far better position when submitting loan applications to lenders. 

Three Kinds of Expertise 

For Phelister B. Ongwae, Owner & Clinical Director of BP Nursing Services, LeAF's value hasn’t been a single connection, it’s been a network of assistance. Through this program, she was connected with attorney Kristin Mendoza for contract review and legal guidance, bookkeeper Lydia West for ongoing financial support, and CPA Hollis McGuire for a thorough look at the company's financial position. 

"There are many decisions to make, and you don’t know what you don’t know," Ongwae says. "Having experienced professionals available to review, advise, and guide us has helped BP Nursing Services make more informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, strengthen our business foundation, and position ourselves for sustainable growth."

Most small businesses can't afford a bookkeeper, CPA, and legal assistance on their own when getting capital ready. LeAF gives her access to three areas of expertise and various professionals contained within one resource. 

Growing More Sustainable New Hampshire's Small Businesses

The advisors who deliver LeAF services see stories like these play out again and again. As LeAF financial consultant Carolanne Caron puts it, "This program gives small business owners access to experts who can help them set up and clarify their accounting and money habits, so they’re working with numbers they can make [long-term] decisions from." 

Eric Costa of Sea Eagle Advisors touts the program’s role in reducing risk before it becomes costly. “These small businesses represent the heart and soul of our communities with owners who are pursuing their dreams, but often who don’t have adequate training on important aspects of running a business. The LEAF program gives them a risk-free and affordable opportunity to gain new perspectives and insights on the challenges and decisions they face.”

Together with the many services and resources of the NH SBDC, LeAF supports NH small businesses in pursuing growth with assurance instead of risk.