A Home with Heart: How Craft3 Financing Helped Pinecrest Deliver Essential Care

When Julia and Stephen Romero decided to open Pinecrest Adult Family Home in Vancouver, Washington they weren't just starting another business; they were continuing a family tradition of compassionate care. Growing up, Stephen’s parents ran adult family homes, which give older adults the chance to age with dignity in a warm, residential environment. These facilities are typically offered in single family homes and provide an alternative to large institutional settings.

Julia and Stephen started in this industry by opening Pacific Springs in 2019 and Pacific Meadows in 2022, alongside Stephen’s brother and sister-in-law. They were able to do this with the help of Craft3 financing. Shortly after they opened the doors, their adult family homes earned a strong reputation for quality care and began operating at full capacity with wait lists for new residents.

The success of these businesses encouraged Julia and Stephen to branch out from the four-person team and open Pinecrest together. However, despite Julia’s extensive and successful track record, traditional financing remained out of reach for Pinecrest's startup phase. This challenge is common for the industry. While state licensing won’t be granted until the home is fully furnished and operational, most banks won’t lend until that license is in place.

Thanks to the strong relationship Julia had built with Craft3, as well as her proven experience running these homes, she was able to access financing. Craft3 provided Julia with a loan to complete renovations, install accessibility features, and prepare Pinecrest for certification and state approval.

“What makes this partnership special goes beyond the financing,” Senior Business Lender, VP Ana Inclán explains. “When we work with a borrower, we see it as taking risk together. Knowing Julia’s history and having built a relationship with her over the years, we knew she had a deep understanding of what makes a good adult family home.”

For Julia, Pinecrest isn’t just another business. It’s where her father spent his final days, surrounded by the love and comfort of a real home.

“Building my adult family home has been more than a business—it’s a reflection of my passion for compassionate care, my drive for excellence, and a deep commitment to making a meaningful difference,” Julia says. “Along the way, Craft3 has enabled my creativity and mentored me as businessowner.”

Julia’s journey with Craft3 has spanned multiple adult family homes and several years. Over time, the partnership has grown stronger. For entrepreneurs like Julia, who are providing essential community services, Craft3 offers more than funding—it offers a relationship built on trust, flexibility, and shared purpose.

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