Owner Tina Hake started Allegiant Oil back in 2007, and hasn't looked back since, expanding the headquarters, creating jobs and growing the communities she is now a part of. She also now owns three convenience stores, where Allegiant Oil is able to provide the fuel to. With a lot of hard work, having the right employees in place, and a little assistance from the SBA 504 loan program, Tina has achieved success throughout Southwest Wisconsin, and is primed to continue that success well into the future.
WBD offers a big "thank you" to Mrs. Hake for letting us know more about her business, keys to success and her experience working with WBD.
WBD: Tell us a little about your business - getting started, the challenges and successes.
Tina: "Allegiant Oil began in 2007. The fuel industry in Southwest Wisconsin was missing a company that made a connection to the customer. Customer relations is very important to us. We also wanted to provide great service with competitive pricing, with no hidden charges or extra fees.
The main challenge was getting the right employees in place. Also keeping up with the demand of new customers with little fuel storage and the small number of trucks."
WBD: What projects, both real estate and equipment, has WBD and namely the SBA 504 program worked with you on and how has it enabled you to meet your expansion goals – production, new products, better serve customers?
Tina: "SBA has helped us in many ways. They helped us to buy and build our headquarters in Lancaster so that we could expand our business. To have extra storage tanks for our products. And more room for the new office for people we had to hire to keep up with the fast growth.
Then in 2020 SBA helped me to purchase the Montfort Convenience store. With their help, I was able to give the store a major makeover. With many updates and improvements inside and out. It also gave me the capability to hire more people. It was necessary due to the fact that the number of customers had increased. The business there increased so much, especially in the food service, that I had to buy a food delivery car for them to use."
WBD: Did you have a good experience working with WBD? Would you work with us again?
Tina: "The experience was great working with WBD. The people were so helpful and worked with me along the entire way of both projects. I would definitely work with WBD, alongside the SBA again in the future."
WBD: What have been your keys to success so far – employees, timing, hard work? Challenges?
Tina: "Our key to success is still the great customer relations and the excellent service we provide to them. We know our customers by name and not by just a customer number.
The employees work hard to make sure the customer gets the satisfaction they expect and deserve in receiving their products."
WBD: Do you have any advice for other business owners in taking that next step to growing their business?
Tina: "Look at what other businesses in your field are not providing or providing incorrectly. Expand or grow where needed."
Congratulations Tina, we wish you continued success well into the future!
Make sure to visit Allegiant Oil convenience stores in Montfort, Lancaster, Platteville and Rewey, and contact Allegiant Oil for any of your fuel, propane or lubricant needs. For more information visit www.allegiantoilcompany.com. And remember to support your local small businesses!
