Getting to Business

A Healthy Relationship with the RehabGYM

The RehabGYM's History

Sharon Gutwin had envisioned a place where Physical Therapy and Athletic Training professionals could work together to treat the full spectrum of physical health. In 2002, she opened the RehabGYM a hybrid facility with a gym as well as a physical therapy clinic. The name "RehabGYM" was chosen to combine both aspects of physi­cal health and rehabilitation.

As a Physical Therapist, Sharon's experience and passion for health and fitness has made her a leader in promoting a healthy lifestyle and health care reform. The RehabGYM's mission is to enable and empower individuals to good health and to prevent injury and dis­ease through safe, effective exercise and nutrition.

Sharon's first location was designed to easily expand to new loca­tions. The RehabGYM enterprise has grown and now has three locations - Colchester, Barre, and Williston, Vermont. The Rehab­GYM's newest location is in Kismet Place in Blair Park, Williston. Sharon chose Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender Will Hamilton and Community National Bank to provide financ­ing to suit her specific needs.

Building on the Vision

"At my first meeting with Sharon at her Barre lo­cation, I could see she has spent years building something special. The setting of her Barre loca­tion is welcoming; it doesn't feel like a gym at all, and it doesn't feel like any sort of medical facility either. The RehabGYM is much different than I expected of a place to recover from an injury or surgery; it's Sharon's creative vision for wellness.

The plan for her Williston location built on that vision. At that first meeting, she told me she wanted to build a much larger space and provide suites for other health care providers. It was a big project with a lot of moving pieces. But one piece was certain: Nothing would stop her! 
We learned more about her story and her direction, and were able to offer a broad financing bundle, which included construction financing using the SBA 504 program. The construction of Kismet Place was such a fun and unique project, bring­ing together different aspects of health care to create something great.

Supporting entrepreneurs in our communities is what drives our bank. We are grateful to Sharon for letting Community National Bank be involved in this amazing project, and appreci­ate her continued efforts to keep people healthy:" 

— Will Hamilton, CNB Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer

Helping the RehabGYM Thrive

"Community National Bank sets itself apart from other banks in its passion to take an active role in business development. Will Hamilton expressed a genuine interest not only in my business, but in my vision of what the RehabGYM and Kismet Place would become. The process of acquiring financing was remarkably comfortable with Will's abundant support, knowledge and a bit of good humor.

I have found everyone from Community National Bank a real plea­sure to work with. It is as if I have become "family" and with that a feeling of authenticity in the relationship. I know I can trust that they are committed to helping me and my business thrive.

I am deeply grateful for Community National Bank's sincere inter­est and investment in the RehabGYM and Kismet Place. I feel the sense of community as we partner in the vision of improving health and fitness. Together we are changing lives!" 

— Sharon Gutwin, Owner of the RehabGYM and Physical Therapist

MacAuley's Foodservice

Wednesday, November 13, 2019, marked a major milestone for Angela MacAuley and MacAuley's Foodservice as she officially purchased the business. Her grandfather Roger MacAuley started the business on August 1, 1969. Roger reminisced, "When I started the business it was a peddle-truck operation. It was just me and one other employee and we worked out of a cellar on Brook Street with just 3 chest freezers." Celebrating their 50-year anniversary in August, MacAuley's Foodservice has grown to be a $12 million business, employing 27 full-time workers and two part-time workers. The company dispatches eight delivery trucks out of a 30,000 square-foot distribution center headed to make deliveries to loca­tions all over Vermont and into western New Hampshire.

Angela started working for MacAuley's and her grandfather right after graduating from high school. During her  22 years, she left the company a couple of times to explore other pursuits, only to return knowing Mac­Auley's Foodservice was where she really wanted to be. Roger mentored Angela and coworker Jim Gallagher suggested taking college classes to learn about business management. In 2008, she and enrolled at Vermont Technical College and then transferred to Community College of Vermont where she earned an A.S. in Business.

Earlier this year, Angela and her grand­father started talking about her  prospects of taking over the company and, in July 2019, they invited Community National Bank's (CNB's) Dave Rubel for a meeting to learn about financing opportunities. Angela recalls, "Dave joined us, listened to what we wanted to do and left saying he thought he could really help us out." Dave left to find the best deal that he could to help An­gela continue in her grandfather's footsteps. Angela stated, "Dave made the process easy and painless for us, but I know he did a lot of leg work to make this happen. My grandfather and I couldn't believe how great the rates were, which made making this big purchase a little less scary for me. I have so much pride in how my grandfather started this business and respect our roots starting with the delivery of fresh meats. This has been my entire life, and it's important to me to make my family members proud by bringing the business forward for the next generation." About half of the workers at the company are family members. While staying true to MacAuley's es­tablished business model, Angela is hoping to increase the company's offerings from local farmers and food producers. She strongly supports the mindset of local businesses supporting other local businesses.

Finding the Best Deal

Exploring all of the best financing options, Dave reached out to cowork­er Thad Richardson to learn about any member programs being offered to help small businesses. As luck would have it, Angela's situation was the perfect fit for funding being offered through FHLB  Boston's  Jobs for New England (JNE) initiative. JNE offers FHLB Boston members below market-rate financing for small business loans that create or pre­serve jobs, expand woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned businesses, or otherwise stimulate the economy in New England communities.

Dave Rubel shares, "As a community banker, I consider it a great privilege to work with local, family-operated businesses. I grew up in the Barre area and strive to be a trusted resource to my clients. I've gotten to know Mr. MacAuley over the years, and respect him immensely for his hard work and integrity, not to mention his great sense of humor. When Roger (Mr. MacAuley) introduced me to Angela, I was thrilled at the opportunity to finance the purchase of the business. She is street-smart and knows the business inside and out. MacAuley's, under Angela's leadership, and through the efforts of the company's capable team, is well positioned to
continue to grow and thrive in the years to come."

Vermont's Community Bank - In Our Communities to Serve

CNB is committed to helping businesses in our communities grow. We have a team of experienced Commercial Lenders and support staff to accommodate businesses' unique borrowing needs. To learn more, please call a CNB Commercial Lender today.