Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
When Cornelio García arrived at LCCU, he wasn’t just looking for a loan, he was looking for someone to believe in him. “I think I found the right person,” he says with a grateful smile. “Someone who helped me from the beginning and continues to help me today.” That person was José Perez, our Charlotte University loan officer who became much more than that, a trusted guide and friend. “When I first came in, I wanted to buy a house,” Cornelio recalls. “I had gone to other banks, but they asked for too many requirements. I didn’t have enough documents, so I couldn’t qualify. Then someone told me about LCCU.”
With José’s help, Cornelio began to build his credit, save, and prepare for homeownership. “At that time, I had no credit history, nothing,” he says. “But José took the time to explain everything, step by step. I followed his advice, and little by little, I reached my goal. I bought my home.” That was just the beginning. Over time, Cornelio financed his truck, then reinvested in his future, this time, opening a restaurant of his own in Mooresville, North Carolina. “José helped me again, explaining the process, helping me get another loan” he says. “Thanks to that support, I was able to start my business.”
Cornelio’s restaurant, Happy Egg, will serve classic American breakfasts and lunches, a reflection of his years of experience in the kitchen, and his desire to bring something new to his community. His wife adds, “We worked for over 12 years in a Chicago-style restaurant, and people loved the food. We wanted to bring that flavor here, something different, something we’re proud of.” But for Cornelio, his story is not just about business. It’s about gratitude, loyalty, and paying it forward. “If someone helped me,” he says, “why wouldn’t I help others? Now I can give opportunities to people who, like me, just need someone to believe in them.”
He hopes his story will encourage others not to give up. “Don’t be afraid,” he says. “Sometimes banks close their doors, but you have to keep looking. If one door closes, another will open. I took the risk, and I don’t regret it. If I hadn’t tried, I’d always wonder, ‘What if?’”
José, who first met Cornelio in 2018, says he’s proud to see how far he’s come. “He started from zero, no credit, no history, and now he has his home, his car, his business, his savings. He’s a true example of what’s possible when we work together to help our members achieve their dreams.”
Today, Cornelio stands inside his restaurant, surrounded by laughter, warmth, and the aroma of home-cooked food. “I feel happy,” he says.