“Buying a commercial building wasn’t part of our original plan,” explains Hamna Tayyab, the Founder and Director of Advanced Behavioral Specialists. “It felt overwhelming and out of reach. But once we understood our financing options, property ownership became a realistic next step and gave us the freedom to design a space that truly supports every family we serve.”
When Advanced Behavioral Specialists first opened its clinic, the goal was to create a functional environment where children with autism and other developmental needs could receive high-quality, individualized care. What owner Hamna Tayyab didn’t anticipate was how quickly demand would grow or how limiting their space would become as the practice expanded.
Tayyab turned to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 504 commercial real estate loan program to purchase a 7,000 square foot property in Riverside, California for $1.5 million. The acquisition allowed Advanced Behavioral Specialists to invest in a permanent facility designed to evolve alongside the needs of their clients.
A Growing Business Facing a Space Constraint
Advanced Behavioral Specialists provides applied behavioral therapy services to children with developmental needs, focusing on individualized care that supports communication, independence, and positive daily interactions. Because the work is highly personal, the environment in which care is delivered plays a critical role in how children engage.
As more clients registered, the constraints of their initial location became increasingly evident.
“We were bursting at the seams,” Tayyab recalled. “Parking was a constant issue, hallways were tight, and the layout just wasn’t designed for the volume of families we were supporting. I knew I needed to find a way to move us into a larger facility.”
That realization led Tayyab to explore TMC Financing’s SBA 504 loan program, which is specifically designed to enable business owners to purchase, refinance, or construct commercial real estate to help promote economic development.
Why the SBA 504 Program Made Ownership Attainable
Traditional commercial financing would have required a significantly higher down payment, pulling capital away from staffing, programming, and client care. In contrast, the SBA 504 loan program offered Tayyab a financing package that aligned with her business’ needs at a critical moment.
SBA 504 Program Benefits:
- As little as 10% down payment requirement
- Below market, fixed rate financing
- 25-year term, with no balloon payment
- No additional collateral required
- Majority of for-profit businesses are eligible
“The 10 percent down payment requirement changed everything,” Tayyab said. “The numbers made sense and it gave us the confidence to move forward.’
With the help of SBA 504 financing, Advanced Behavioral Specialists nearly doubled the size of its previous space and moved into a facility designed to support long‑term growth.
A Strategic Partnership with TMC Financing 
What made Advanced Behavioral Specialists’ financing approach especially strategic was Tayyab’s decision to leverage two SBA programs, each designed to support business growth.
Tayyab connected with Andrew Erickson, Business Development Officer at TMC Financing, who worked closely with her to structure financing that supported both long-term ownership and operational needs.
“As a parent of a son diagnosed with autism, the mission of Advanced Behavioral Specialists is deeply personal to me,” said Erickson. “Being part of a project like this goes beyond business growth or job creation. It’s about supporting a mission that serves families and children in a meaningful way. From a business perspective, this was also an owner thinking strategically about growth. By pairing SBA 504 financing for the acquisition with Community Advantage proceeds for business expenses, Hamna was able to position the business for long-term success.”
While the SBA 504 loan supported a longterm real estate investment, access to working capital through the Community Advantage loan helped support day today operations.
Community Advantage loans are designed to fill gaps for growing businesses,” said Anna Lavanger, Vice President, TMC Financing. “In this case, the additional working capital was critical as the business moved into a space more than twice the size of its previous location. It allowed Hamna to quickly hire 10 new staff members, clear the client waitlist, and continue growing without disruption.”
TMC Financing, a Certified Development Company (CDC) licensed to administer these SBA loan programs, helped Tayyab navigate the entire loan process from beginning to end.
The Impact: More Space, Better Care 
Advanced Behavioral Specialists’ new space includes additional restrooms and larger therapy rooms. Children can move, play, and engage in therapy comfortably, while staff benefit from a layout designed for collaboration and efficiency.
“We were able to set the rooms up exactly how we wanted,” Tayyab shared. “The kids love the space. We created themed rooms and a dedicated sensory gym that makes each session fun and engaging.”
Staff morale improved as well. A proper break room, better flow throughout the clinic, and adequate facilities made the workday more manageable.
The Bigger Picture for Behavioral Health Providers
For behavioral health providers, securing a permanent location can provide long–term stability in an industry where demand continues to grow and consistency is essential. Greater control over space can reduce uncertainty and allow clinicians to focus on delivering exceptional care to valued clients.
For Hamna Tayyab, moving into a permanent location brought immediate peace of mind.
“Purchasing our building gave me a sense of
security,” Tayyab concluded. “I don’t have to worry about rent increases or being forced to move. The SBA 504 program made this transition possible. Andrew Erickson and the TMC team guided me throughout the entire process all while advocating for my business – that kind of support made all the difference.”
Ready to explore how the SBA 504 program can help take your business to the next level? Contact TMC Financing today.