EDC CLIENT STORIES

In their bartending, business and restaurant experience, Fluid State co-owners Aaron Duncan and Jen Schwertman have learned how crucial it is to be present for your community through times of uncertainty. Learning from back-to-back personal and professional challenges before opening their restaurant and bar in Ventura in 2016, the team has become known across the county for their fast-paced recovery during disruption.

After being denied by another lender, Jen describes that “The big thing EDC SBDC provided for us was the opportunity to get the business loan that we absolutely needed to make this happen.” In working with EDC SBDC financial advisor Gonzalo Fernandez and restaurant specialist Eric Zackrison, Fluid State addressed their strategic plan and gained the financing that supported the restaurant and bar through their opening.

When COVID-19 impacted the region, Aaron and Jen quickly shifted their strategy, offering takeout and implementing an online ordering system. “It was a huge change for us to overnight go from being a bustling bar, that happens to have really great food to being pretty much at that point 100% food.” The couple strived to keep their doors open and successfully prevented laying off their employees. While ensuring the well-being and safety of their employees, themselves and the public, Fluid State continues to provide a sense of normalcy for their community through today’s challenges.