Key takeaway: Anton SV Patisserie secured an SBA 7(a) loan to open a flagship retail location, create eight new jobs, and dramatically increase brand visibility, while maintaining ownership and scaling responsibly.
SBA 7(a) Testimonial At A Glance 
- Business: Anton SV Patisserie (upscale bakery)
- Challenge: Scaling to serve demand without losing quality or ownership
- Solution: SBA 7(a) loan for storefront expansion
- Results: 8 new jobs, increased revenue, enhanced brand visibility
Anton SV Patisserie in California is known for exquisite Mille Crepe Cakes, each hand-crafted with more than twenty delicate layers, and a curated menu of macarons, chocolate tarts, and panna cotta. But behind the scenes, founder Anthony Tam faced a challenge familiar to many small business owners: how to scale without sacrificing quality or losing control of his vision.
The Challenge: How Can a Boutique Bakery Scale Without Sacrificing Quality or Ownership?
Tam started his business in 2016 after he left the corporate world, trading structure for uncertainty. “Letting go of ‘perfect plans’ for fast, accountable action was the biggest mindset change,” Tam said. “In the corporate world, success is hitting a KPI with lots of approvals. As a one-man shop, I serve customers today, learn by tonight, and adjust tomorrow. I had to trade seeking permission for taking ownership and treating uncertainty as normal.”
For several years, Anton SV Patisserie operated from a central kitchen, relying on online orders and a network of pickup locations at local coffee shops and restaurants. Demand was strong, but without a storefront, the business reached a ceiling to accommodate it. “We needed funds to complete a professional storefront and upgrade equipment so quality stayed consistent at higher volumes,” Tam said. “We identified a mall location that would deliver instant discovery and credibility with steady foot traffic, stronger trust, and a showroom effect that also lifted corporate gifting.”
What his business faced:
- Limited growth potential without a physical storefront
- Need for professional equipment upgrades
- Requirement for steady foot traffic and credibility
The Solution: How An SBA 7(a) Loan Fit The Bakery’s Strategic Expansion
To make this storefront a reality, Tam said he explored several financing options, including taking on outside investors, leasing equipment, and traditional lines of credit (LOCs) for expansion financing, but an SBA 7(a) loan made the most sense.
“Investors meant diluting ownership, leasing fragmented costs across multiple contracts, and a standard LOC didn’t match construction timelines,” he said. “The SBA 7(a) loan let us bundle build-out, equipment, and working capital into one facility with longer amortization and manageable payments, so we could keep ownership in-house and scale responsibly.”
Working with First Business Bank’s SBA Lending team proved to be a turning point for the bakery. “First Business Bank’s SBA team was clear, pragmatic, and responsive,” Tam said. “They turned requirements into a concise checklist, flagged potential slowdowns early, and coordinated smoothly with our general contractor and landlord. It felt like a team that understands food/retail projects, not just paperwork.”
From final approval to opening the new location took about a year, including permitting, build-out, equipment commissioning, and staff training. The result is a stunning retail space at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto, California, a high-profile, upscale mall that instantly elevated the Anton SV Patisserie brand.
The Results: SBA 7(a) Loan Drives Expansion And Revenue Growth
The impact of the new location was immediate. The business, which needed to grow to capitalize on the growing customer demand, is seeing several positive results from the new storefront.
“Revenue is up, our customer mix is broader beyond the original footprint, and corporate inquiries have increased,” Tam said. “The store also functions as a brand showroom, which shortens the partnership sales cycle.” In the first six months, Anton SV Patisserie created eight new jobs across storefront and production, fueling both growth and local employment.
What Should Business Owners Know About SBA Financing?
Tam recommends doing thorough homework on scope, budget, and timeline before choosing a lender who understands your industry. He credits First Business Bank's SBA Lending team with keeping the project organized and on schedule, which proved crucial when coordinating construction timelines with cash flow needs.
"The right financing should buy time and focus, not just equipment," he explains. "Match payments to your ramp-up, protect ownership, and invest in the pillars that compound—product quality, team, and brand—so growth is repeatable, not a one-off push."
Anton SV Patisserie's story demonstrates what strategic financing can achieve. With an SBA 7(a) loan, Tam scaled a beloved bakery into a thriving retail destination, proving that small businesses can reach ambitious goals with the right partner and strategic decisions and planning.
