The case focuses on the required financing for a new building for Wabanaki Maple, founded by Jolene Johnson and located in Tobique, New Brunswick, Canada. Johnson had to prepare financial information in advance of a meeting with an economic development officer from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) from which she was seeking a loan. ACOA had unique lending programs with more favourable terms (e.g., interest-free, non-repayable loans) for Indigenous businesses. To prepare for the meeting, Johnson had to evaluate the impact of Wabanaki Maple’s production capacity, as it could limit sales growth potential in the near future; assess changes in customer type (e.g., boutique store, big-box retailers) including the impact of cultural priorities and awareness; determine improvements in inventory management; and assess the firm’s ability to pay for financing while generating profits.

The case focuses on the required financing for a new building for Wabanaki Maple, founded by Jolene Johnson and located in Tobique, New Brunswick, Canada. Johnson had to prepare financial information in advance of a meeting with an economic development officer from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) from which she was seeking a loan. ACOA had unique lending programs with more favourable terms (e.g., interest-free, non-repayable loans) for Indigenous businesses. To prepare for the meeting, Johnson had to evaluate the impact of Wabanaki Maple's production capacity, as it could limit sales growth potential in the near future; assess changes in customer type (e.g., boutique store, big-box retailers) including the impact of cultural priorities and awareness; determine improvements in inventory management; and assess the firm's ability to pay for financing while generating profits.