Success Stories
Donna Mahan
Fine Glass Artist and Sculptor
 Five years ago Donna Mahan, a fine artist and sculptor specializing in glass and found objects, was working out of her home studio and unsure how to take her work to the next level. She’d been doing art all of her life, but lacked the confidence to call herself an “artist”. She knew she needed to find her own niche and learn how to better market her work. Then she took the Smart Markets for Artists Workshop at the CDC, and found the validation, support and knowledge to define herself as a true artist and a successful business woman.
“Smart Markets taught me to always be open to new possibilities and opportunities, and to continuously seek out resources that can support my goal of getting my artwork out there more,” said Mahan. Her participation in the workshop also gave her the validation as an artist that she’d been lacking. “As a part of the workshop, each artist presents their work and discusses it with the presenters and other workshop participants. It was such a high. So affirming,” said Mahan. And she’s still reaping the benefits from her participation. “We created a support network amongst each other. We still talk and get together to share ideas and inspiration.”
Since participating in the Smart Markets for Artists Workshop, Mahan has continued to grow as an artist – developing new lines of artwork (everything from desk lamps and bookends to window installations and custom made tables), expanding the number of locations where her art is exhibited and sold, and being a Founding Member of the Guild of Fine Glass Artists, an open working studio at the Truro Tradesman Park off of Route 6A in North Truro, MA.
Visit her website to learn more about Donna Mahan and her work.
Mary DeAngelis
Clothing Designer & Wholesaler
 Mary DeAngelis has achieved tremendous success as a clothing designer and wholesaler, but she says she wouldn’t be anywhere without the Lower Cape Cod CDC’s Micro Loan Program. “In the mid-90s I was working out of my house and driving around in my car to visit stores and show them my goods. I knew that if I was going to get my business off of the ground I needed to be showing at the New York trade shows, where buyers from boutiques and stores all over the country come to purchase goods.” But DeAngelis knew it was going to take more than creativity and drive to get to New York – it was going to take money. She wrote a business plan and approached all of the local banks, but was always turned away due to lack of collateral. “Every bank turned me down. I went everywhere, but they wouldn’t give me the time of day.” Then a friend told her about the Lower Cape Cod CDC.
DeAngelis was able to get some much needed funding through the CDC’s Micro Loan Program, as well as an introduction to SEED, who provided additional funding. DeAngelis used these loans to grow her business – purchasing a design studio in Provincetown and increasing her wholesale distribution from 2 stores to over 40. In 1997, SEED presented the Mary DeAngelis Clothing Company with the Start-Up Business of the Year Award.
“I wouldn’t be anywhere if it wasn’t for the CDC. I am a true small business. I don’t want to leave the Cape. I use as many local resources as I can. I employ as many local people as I can. But if you’re a small business person and you don’t own property, there is no way to get money. The banks just won’t take a risk. The CDC is the only thing we’ve got.”
View her website to learn more about The Mary DeAngelis Company.
Rory Nickerson
New Homeowner – Balfour Lane Condo, Chatham
 A lifelong resident of Chatham, Rory Nickerson is working as a shellfisherman and looking for a teaching position in physical education. When his mother called him with an opportunity he couldn’t ignore – the possibility of owning his own home in Chatham – Rory jumped at the chance.
Homeownership opportunities for four income-qualifying individuals and families with ties to Chatham were available with the CDC’s new Balfour Lane condominiums. After pre-qualifying for a mortgage and meeting affordable housing income eligibility requirements, Rory was the first of six individuals chosen during the lottery held to determine who the lucky homeowners would be. “Without the opportunity to purchase an affordable home through the CDC, it would have taken me many more years of saving a down payment before I could have purchased my own home”, says Nickerson.
The Balfour Lane condominiums were developed by the CDC with private funds received from the Friends of Chatham Affordable Housing (FoCAH), funding through Chatham Community Preservation Act monies, and a construction loan from TDBanknorth. These condominiums will add four more affordable home ownership opportunities to people with ties to Chatham and the Lower Cape – another generation of locals working in our towns, studying in our schools, and retiring in their home community.
Dan Sullivan
Painter, Musician & CDC Board Member
 Dan Sullivan became aware of the Lower Cape Cod CDC before he even moved to the Cape. While completing a rehab program off-Cape for alcohol and drug addiction, Dan saw a flier for the Canal House – a minimum supervision sober living facility in Orleans, owned and operated by the Lower Cape Cod CDC. He called the CDC, set up an interview and was accepted into the facility. After successfully completing his rehab program, Dan moved into the Canal House.
During his year and a half in the facility, Dan focused on his recovery and his transition into the community. “The Canal House gave me the opportunity to get my feet under my head,” said Sullivan. “It doesn’t work for everyone, but it did work for me.” He started his painting business, After Five Painting and Wall Coverings, during the last 6 months of his stay, and was inspired to start paying the saxophone again after 7 years. “As I transitioned into the community and started my business, started making money, and started to get my health back, I was able to pursue a normal life. And the CDC gave me that opportunity.”
After his time at the Canal House, Dan continued his association with the CDC. “As I learned more about the CDC, I found that they were very action oriented. And I am all about action. Since I became sober, my life is all about taking action and getting positive results. So it was a perfect fit for me to work with the organization.”
Dan utilized the CDC’s 1-on-1 business consulting when making some important strategic decisions regarding a new project for his music business, regularly attends the CDC’s professional development and small business workshops. “The CDC is there when I need it. It’s my CDC. It’s an ongoing relationship.”
And the CDC has benefited greatly from Dan’s expertise and talents. The Dan Sullivan Trio has provided entertainment at a number of CDC Events, and Dan was invited to serve as a CDC Board Member in 2008.
“I’m happy with the way things are going and I work hard at it. My new CD is called Night and Day because I work hard night and day. And the difference in my life, because of the effort, is night and day too. It’s a totally different Dan Sullivan, and the CDC is a huge part of that.”
Brawnwyn Jackett & Family
Affordable Housing Tenant – Old Firehouse Rd., Truro
 It’s an all too familiar story for young families here on the Cape. Brawnwyn Jackett, her partner Nathaniel McKean and their 3 children were struggling to find permanent, affordable housing on the Outer Cape. “I can’t even tell you how many times we moved – from place to place, rental to rental,” said Jackett. “The Cape Cod Shuffle. We’d had it. We couldn’t find a year round place to live, so we were going to move.”
Three weeks before they were scheduled to leave the Cape, they heard about the Lower Cape Cod CDC’s lottery for an affordable rental home on Old Firehouse Rd. in Truro. “We thought we would apply, and if it was meant to be it would be.” Four families applied and Jackett & McKean were one of two families who qualified for the unit. “The lottery drawing was so nerve wracking. I lit a candle that morning and said a prayer to my grandmother,” said Jackett. “When our name was picked I thought to myself, ‘Is this real?’.”
With stable housing at an affordable price, Jackett and McKean were able to focus their energies on building a future for their family. “The affordable rental home gave us security and reduced the fear. It also allowed us to get on our feet and put money aside to buy our own home. We knew from the beginning that we weren’t going to stay in the rental home. We wanted to own our own home.” Three years later they’ve closed on their own home in North Truro. McKean was also able to leave his job with a local builder and fulfill a lifelong dream of going into business on his own – founding Sundance Builders in 2007.
“Now it’s time for another family to get the same affordable housing opportunity,” said Jackett. “When we moved into the Old Firehouse Rd. rental it really felt like home. We had the freedom to plant in the yard, put up a swing set, and really make it ours. It’s a wonderful place and we really enjoyed it. We are so grateful for that opportunity from the CDC.”
Page last updated: March 31, 2008
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