Yonah

I’m Yonah Bastomski, CEO of The Sukkah Store, where we believe every Jew should be able to celebrate Sukkot under a sturdy, affordable Sukkah– without the headache. We’re a growing business now, but like many startups, we had our challenges in the beginning.

We needed a loan for one major reason: upfront costs. When you’re buying inventory and manufacturing products like Sukkah kits, the expenses pile up fast. Getting that initial push from JFLA’s Small Business Loan Fund was a game-changer for us because it was interest-free. This meant we didn’t have to take on high-interest loans or give up equity in our company. No breaking the bank here, just building Sukkahs!

Before the loan, things were tight. We were trying to figure out how to expand while keeping costs under control. The JFLA loan allowed us to take the plunge, make those big purchases, and grow our business without drowning in interest payments. Plus, the manageable monthly payments, spread over 36 months, made it easier to balance our cash flow, and much easier to avoid sleepless nights over huge monthly bills.

Fast forward to 2024, and thanks to that initial boost, we’ve sold thousands of Sukkah kits to customers from Orlando, FL, all the way to Teaneck, NJ. We’ve partnered with over 15 stores nationwide, making it easy for our customers to browse models in person, chat with experts, and find the perfect Sukkah for their space and budget. And don’t worry– we deliver nationwide too, just in case you prefer your Sukkah to arrive at your door like an Amazon package (just a little holier).

Thanks again to JFLA for helping us build not just Sukkahs, but a thriving business!