Financial Education First: The Key to Long-Term Business Success 

An Interview with Neysa Cruceta, Get Ready Program Manager 

For Neysa Cruceta, financial coaching isn’t just a job—it’s personal. 

Growing up, she watched her immigrant parents work tirelessly, yet struggle with a financial system that didn’t teach them how to build credit or manage debt. She saw first-hand how a lack of financial education can hold people back, and when she joined Ascendus in 2014, she knew she wanted to be part of the solution. 

Now, as the Get Ready Program Manager, she is leading a financial transformation—one small business at a time. As the program celebrates two years of impact, we sat down with Neysa to discuss why Get Ready was created, how it’s changing lives, and what’s next. 

A Program Born from Listening to the Community 

Ascendus: Neysa, tell us about the origins of Get Ready. What problem was it designed to solve? 

Neysa: When we tried expanding into Jacksonville, Florida, we quickly realized that our traditional loan products weren’t working for the small business owners in that community. Many of them were being denied funding—not because they lacked business potential, but because of credit challenges. 

That’s when we took a step back and listened. We saw that what these entrepreneurs really needed was a credit-building product that also provided financial education. And that’s how Get Ready was born—a program that doesn’t just offer funding, but helps entrepreneurs understand how to leverage credit as a tool for long-term success. 

Since launching, 164 entrepreneurs have participated in the program, with 139 successfully graduating to larger credit lines. That tells us something important: the need for financial education is just as critical as access to capital. 

The Impact: More Than Just a Loan 

Ascendus: So Get Ready is more than just a business line of credit? 

Neysa: Absolutely. It’s credit-building, financial literacy, and business coaching all in one. So many of our clients come in laser-focused on their credit score but don’t fully understand how credit actually works—things like timely payments, utilization rates, and credit history. 

This program helps them connect the dots so they can break free from what I call the “hamster wheel”—the cycle of poor credit, limited access to capital, and financial instability. 

I’ve had clients tell me, “I make $79,000 a year—why can’t I get a loan?” And when we look at their credit reports together, they have a 490 credit score, maxed-out cards, and a history of late payments. The issue isn’t their earning potential—it’s the lack of financial knowledge about how lenders assess risk. 

Financial Coaching: The Missing Piece 

Ascendus: Can you share a moment where you saw Get Ready truly transform a client’s financial habits? 

Neysa: There are so many, but one that stands out is a client who didn’t realize how damaging high credit utilization was. They had credit cards that were maxed out, and they assumed that making the minimum payments was enough to maintain a good credit score. 

Through the program, we taught them how to strategically pay down debt while keeping their utilization under 30%. After six months, their credit score shot up, their minimum payments went down, and they even became eligible for an increased credit line. 

The moment they realized that small, consistent actions could unlock financial opportunities—that was the game-changer. They said to me, “I never knew it worked like this. No one ever taught me this before.” 

That’s why this program matters. It’s not just about getting a loan—it’s about breaking generational cycles. 

Lessons from Those Who Didn’t Graduate

Ascendus: What about clients who haven’t been able to move past the initial $500 credit line? What have you learned from them? 

Neysa: This was one of our biggest learnings—it’s not just about credit, it’s also about cash flow stability. 

Many of the clients who struggle to graduate from the program have larger derogatory balances—old debts that continue to weigh them down. Others lack the income stability needed to stay on top of their financial commitments. 

That’s why, moving forward, we’re expanding our financial coaching efforts for all clients, not just Get Ready Clients. We’re introducing quarterly check-ins, additional technical assistance, and new tools to help business owners increase their revenue—whether through fintech solutions, better marketing, or stronger budgeting strategies. 

What’s Next for Get Ready? 

Ascendus: Two years in, what’s next for Get Ready? 

Neysa: We’re doubling down on financial coaching. What we’ve learned is that financial education is just as important as credit building. 

Moving forward, we’re focusing on: 

• Quarterly Executive Financial Reviews—so clients get structured, ongoing support. 

• More coaching on business cash flow—because financial stability is key to unlocking bigger loans. 

• Stronger partnerships to connect clients with fintech tools that can help them manage money more efficiently. 

The goal is simple: We don’t just want our clients to access capital. We want them to be financially strong enough to keep growing beyond our program. 

Advice for Entrepreneurs Considering Get Ready 

Ascendus: What would you say to a small business owner thinking about joining the program? 

Neysa: I would say: Don’t look at this as just a $500 credit line—look at it as preparation for a $50,000 loan. 

This program isn’t just about getting funding today. It’s about learning how to manage credit in a way that will open doors for you in the future. 

If you’re ready to break free from the financial cycles that have held you back, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. This is the first step toward your financial ascension. 

Are you ready to take control of your financial future? Learn more about Get Ready. 

The Get Ready 2 Years Anniversary Key Impact Numbers

📌 164 entrepreneurs have participated in the program.
📌 139 business owners successfully graduated to larger credit lines.
📌 $84,000 in capital deployed to support small business owners.
📌 475 jobs created or retained through Get Ready.
📌 Clients can expand their credit lines up to tenfold through the program.