Katie Whitecotton and Billy McGuigan had a vision in 2021. Unfortunately, the banks they worked with didn’t see things the way they did.
“As we were getting ready to open the McGuigan Arts Academy, we needed a little financial help,” Whitecotton said. “Dundee Bank was the last place we reached out to, and the first to respond with more than just a generalized email.”
Within a few hours of reaching out to Dundee Bank, the academy had secured its business loan. Fast forward to 2022 and the McGuigan Arts Academy has blossomed into a studio providing art, theater, music classes and lessons for people of all ages to pursue their passion in the performing arts.
The pair had found their banking partner, and the show could go on. “The decision was easy,” Whitecotton said.
Whitecotton is the CEO and Bookings Direction for Rave On Productions, which is home to the McGuigan Arts Academy. McGuigan is an award-winning touring musical performer and instructor well known in the Omaha community. They joined forces and founded the academy in 2021. “If this year taught us anything, it’s the need to connect and nurture one’s soul,” McGuigan says on the academy’s website. “Art is essential to that.”
And even though Whitecotton is from Canada and McGuigan is an internationally touring jetsetter, Omaha was an easy choice for the academy to call home.
“Support Local means to shop at the places in your community run by the people in your neighborhood,” Whitecotton said. “It means creating relationships with the people and businesses that make your community unique.”
Working with businesses like the McGuigan Arts Academy is both an easy decision and an honor for Dundee Bank.
When a local business shares your values and cares so much about fostering positive local relationships, we’re inspired to go above and beyond for them.
“We had used other banks, both national and local, but we never had a team of people surrounding us who genuinely cared about us and how to best serve our business,” Whitecotton said. “It isn’t ‘banking as usual’ with them. It feels more like a partnership.”
For Whitecotton, supporting local doesn’t stop and banking locally. She’s a homeowner in the Dundee area and is a big supporter of Exist Green, Marks Pantry & Bottle Shop, and Good Lookin’ in downtown Dundee.
“Personally, I always shop at local, independent stores first,” she said. “All of our productions with Rave On Productions are cast and hired from local talent. The McGuigan Arts Academy is located in Countryside Village, which is a hub for locally owned and operated businesses who all support each other through things like community events, coffee in the morning, and a drink after work!”
For a bank that’s founded on the idea of supporting local, that’s music to our ears.
To learn more about how we’re supporting local businesses and the Omaha community, visit dundeebanking.com/support-local
