GULFPORT, Miss., June 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- During an employee
breakfast at the Mississippi Aquarium, Shaggy's owners Ron Ladner and Rimmer Covington Jr., announced a
new program to help Shaggy's employees purchase their first home
and get back on their feet financially.
"We are creating real careers for people and making long-term
dreams come true!"
"We decided that as we continue to strengthen our 'culture of
appreciation,' we wanted to do even more for our people," says
Covington. "So Ron and I are introducing the Shaggy's staff to our
team at Bancorp South, in a partnership, to help them reach their
dreams."
Chris Romano, Market President
for BancorpSouth, brought along a contingent of representatives who
specialize in second-chance checking, secured credit cards,
savings, auto loans, and home loans. They explained the various
programs available to help the Shaggy's team reach their financial
and life goals.
When the question was posed, "Will you raise your hand if you
want to buy a home but can't currently qualify," almost 30 people
raised their hands!
"We want everyone to understand that if you want to buy a new
home or car and have the commitment, Rimmer and I WILL make
it happen," said Ladner, as he addressed his staff. "We
recognize that for most of you, the biggest hurdle is the up-front
down payment. But we want you to know that we stand ready to
provide cash for 100 percent of your down payment…whatever it
takes to make this happen. Have hope!"
Covington added, "Every situation will be different, some of you
will need credit counseling…and we will provide that; some of you
will need to pay charge offs, and we will help you pay them off;
some of you will need cash, and we will provide that also."
Ladner and Covington committed to standing behind their
employees through the underwriting process, including a pledge of
their own personal credibility, to make sure all Shaggy's employees
have a chance. In many cases, a "second chance" that they can't get
from just walking into a local bank branch. "We are vouching for
our employees," says Covington. "We intend to provide guarantees to
help make them more credible in the eyes of the bankers."
Speaking to the group, Romano said, "Shaggy's is a very solid
and strong business. We have a lot of confidence and respect for
Ron and Rimmer and the Shaggy's operations and have been banking
them for ten years. We also have confidence in each of you because
you are part of what makes Shaggy's so successful."
In 2020, Ladner and Covington made a bold move to raise the
internal minimum wage to $15 per hour
and raise the tipped base rate to an average of $7-8 per hour, plus they pay for full
health/dental/vision benefits for all full-time employees. The
average non-manager employee at Shaggy's makes between $35,000-$55,000 per
year.
"We want to give our people more than a job," says Ladner. "We
want to give them 'a life,' hope, a future not just for them, but
for their entire family."
Adds Covington, "We are creating real careers for people and
making long-term dreams come true!"
For more information about Shaggy's, visit www.shaggys.com
Media Contact:
Collin
Caranna
504-909-4244
collin@shaggys.com
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SOURCE Shaggy's