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Eddie Panozzo is an entrepreneur through and through. His mom and dad each owned their own businesses and Eddie always dreamed of opening his own restaurant. After working his way up in various fine dining restaurants, he achieved that goal. Later on, he decided to take a job in the corporate world and become a supplier. Still, there was a nagging notion in his mind that he should start something for himself. When a friend, who owned several Nothing Bundt Cake franchises, brought one of his cakes to an event, Eddie says, he “was hooked.” So, he applied online to become a franchisee and is in the process of opening 10 stores. The rest, as they say, is history.
“As a business owner, there are never enough hours in the day,”
Eddie said. “You are constantly busy running your business, serving your customers, and taking care of your employees. You don’t have time to make a lot of phone calls or chase people down when you need something.”
“I was getting increasingly frustrated with our bank for that very reason,” he explained. “I had some accounts at a large bank and went there to open new accounts for the bakeries, but they were taking forever to get it done. A couple of weeks later, the accounts still weren’t open. So, I went to another large bank to open the accounts, and 7 to 8 days later, they still weren’t opened. It was time to try something different.”
"Karen, from Northern Bank, had come into my store to buy some cakes,"
he continued. “She introduced herself and handed me her business card and said, ‘if you ever need a personal banker or ever need to open bank accounts, give me a call.’ She came back in several times after that to purchase more cakes. So, when I was having issues opening my accounts at these other banks, I finally gave her a call.”
“My business partner and I talked to Karen on the phone and she sent all the information over to us right away. We had all of our accounts opened quickly at Northern Bank. Now I can just pick up the phone and call Karen and get anything I need without delay. That makes such a huge difference when you own a business. I’m a relationship person. Northern Bank is a relationship bank. They show up, follow up, and do what they say they are going to do. It’s phenomenal and we couldn’t be happier with their service.”
"The great thing about Northern Bank is that in addition to being attentive and efficient, they support my business, too,"
Eddie explained. “Many of their employees have come in to purchase cakes and have referred other people to my business and that speaks volumes.”
“Right now, we’re in the process of opening 10 stores. We opened three this year and we’ll be launching the other new stores next year. As we expand, it definitely gives me peace of mind knowing Northern Bank is there to take care of anything I need.”
Eddie Panozzo has worked hard his whole life and taken any opportunity that came his way. “If I thought it was a good opportunity, no matter the pay, I would take it,” he said. That’s a formula that has clearly worked for him. He’s been a restaurant owner, corporate executive and now a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisee launching 10 new stores in the Boston area in 2 years. His key to running a successful franchise business is simple: “You have to stay involved,” he said. “You have to have your hands in your business every day. It’s the only way.”
After 11 years with Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership - including a transformative start as a first-time homebuyer herself - Cathy Mercado now leads the organization as Executive Director. When her longtime community bank announced a merger, she needed a new partner who would show up for the community the way she does every day.
After 14 years of teaching at Puddle Duck Day School, Brittany Lupo had the opportunity to take over as owner. With her business degree and deep passion for education, she just needed a partner who understands small businesses and the best financing options available to make ownership a reality.
When a 25-year-old entrepreneur walked across the street from his auto repair shop to make daily deposits, he had no idea he was beginning a partnership that would span four decades. Jim Welch's journey from accounting student to successful automotive business owner illustrates how the right banking relationship becomes more than financial support. It becomes the foundation for sustained growth, unwavering trust, and generational success.
Contact us now to learn more about how Northern Bank can help you realize your goals and dreams.