Jen and Chris Mannering have owned and run an inflatable party/play center for kids for seven years, so they’re used to ups and downs in their business. But nothing could have fully prepared them for the challenges of the pandemic. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, they were forced to close Bounce Down Under, located off North Beneva Road in Sarasota, for six weeks. Their future was uncertain, so they turned to their financial partner - Achieva Credit Union.

Achieva has been there during two key times in Bounce Down Under’s history – first, when they got their business started with an SBA loan, and then, when the pandemic shut them down during their busiest season. As the Mannerings sought out resources to help navigate the unknown, they were also keeping on top of the news. “I applied for everything in terms of possible financial help,” said Jen Mannering. “Thankfully, I was in touch with Achieva Credit Union early on and their customer service was incredible.”An Achieva employee walked her through the Paycheck Protection Program application, and Mannering still remembers her appreciation in that moment. “He just brought me to tears,” she recalled. “He was just so supportive and reassuring.”

It took some time, but the Mannerings got funding in the first round of the PPP, which Mannering attributed, at least in part, to the responsiveness and help of the Achieva team. The funding helped them keep all of their employees at full pay through their closure.

Now, Jen Mannering is optimistic. Bounce Down Under reopened in early June, and the Mannerings are working on special promotions to attract customers while educating them on the safety procedures the facility has put in place. “The kids had been bouncing off the walls at home before we reopened,” she said, “so the people coming in have been very cooperative and grateful.”

Read More from the Achieva Credit Union BrandStory Here