A calling shaped by experience

Before Nema ever imagined owning a business, she spent two decades working in veterinary offices across New York. She supported doctors, comforted animals, and developed a deep understanding of the people and pets who came through the door. Over time, that experience gave her more than knowledge. It gave her clarity.

She wanted something she could shape on her own terms. Something rooted in care.

A friend who owned several dog daycares told her, simply:
You could do this too.

That sentence stayed with her.

Choosing her own path

In April 2019, Nema opened Roosevelt Pups, her own dog daycare. It was her first business. She had no partners and no playbook. What she did have was purpose – and a clear desire to do things on her own terms.

“It is like the best thing ever to own a business,” she said. “You schedule your own time. You have no one over you.”

For Nema, independence was not just about flexibility. It was about claiming full responsibility over her time, her work, and her future. Building Roosevelt Pups from the ground up gave her the freedom to lead with her values, make her own decisions, and create a space that reflected who she is.

A storm she could not plan for

Just one year after opening, the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. Client visits disappeared. Bills did not. The business she had built with focus and care stood at risk.

“That was like so depressing. It was really, really bad.”

Nema stayed open. She worked with her landlord. She kept showing up. But she knew she could not keep going alone.

A moment of connection

Through TD Bank, Nema was referred to Ascendus and connected with Jose V. Made, Director of Lending in New York. In 2024, she received a term loan through the New York Forward Loan Fund. The loan helped her pay back taxes and stabilize Roosevelt Pups.

Looking back, she describes that experience as a lifeline during a difficult time. With the funding in place, she was able to regroup and focus on moving forward.

“With that money I got back in there and got me going and still have me going.”

In 2025, she secured a line of credit to better manage her working capital. Around the same time, she implemented a new client booking system that helped her simplify day-to-day operations.

“It is so much easier for the clients.”

These tools did more than solve short-term needs. They gave her greater control, efficiency, and confidence to keep building her way up.

What she built, and what she carries

As her business became more stable, Nema noticed something else shift: herself.

“I am very independent. I do not depend on anyone. I am a very strong woman. This made me really strong. Standing firm as a woman business owner.”

She also felt the difference at home. The loan improved her household financial stability.

At Ascendus, this is exactly how we aim to work – by supporting entrepreneurs in ways that strengthen not just their business, but their entire foundation. Nema’s experience shows that when the right resources meet determination, the results extend far beyond the walls of a storefront. Her business became more than a job. It became a source of confidence, stability, and pride – for herself, for her household, and for the people who trust her every day.

Built on trust, moving with purpose

Roosevelt Pups has become a trusted space in Nema’s community. Her clients return not only because she knows their pets, but because she remembers their stories and treats each visit with genuine care.

“The people and their pets… I would say like the extended family.”

That trust is rooted in her deep commitment – not just to running a business, but to showing up for others with consistency and purpose. Today, Nema is focused on reinforcing what she has built: paying down debt, refining her operations, and preparing to expand.

“My dream is to open this location in the city itself where I think there would be more growth.” She says it with conviction.

At 52, she is not slowing down. “I would work until I am 65, 70. I always like to be on the move.”

A journey of ascension

“You guys are amazing. Very reliable. I can rely on you all. Like if I need help I could definitely depend on you guys.”

Nema’s story reflects the purpose behind financial ascension. She took a leap. She faced uncertainty. She stayed rooted. And now she leads with clarity and care.

Her journey is not about starting over. It is about building forward – with intention, resilience, and trust.

This is what ascension looks like. It begins with experience, deepens through challenge, and continues with every choice to keep going.