Growth rarely follows a straight line — especially for businesses in the Wilmington area, which must navigate seasonal demand, project-based revenue, and periods of rapid expansion. For many owners, success depends not just on winning new work but on having the capital to cover payroll, materials, and reinvestment during uneven cash flow cycles. That’s where a relationship-focused community bank like Southern Bank can play a critical role. 

That reality is familiar to Jennifer Robbins, owner of Backyard Specialist, a Wilmington-based outdoor living design and installation company. With projects that fluctuate by season and scope, Robbins knows that access to flexible banking support can make the difference between managing growth confidently and feeling overextended. It’s what led her to Southern, where relationship-driven business banking is designed to support long-term growth. 

Robbins met community banker Brad Merritt in a local networking group, where they chatted about how Southern could support Backyard Specialist’s business banking needs. It set the foundation for their partnership, which has evolved alongside Backyard Specialist. 

“It just feels good to know that if I have a question, if I have a problem, all I have to do is pick up the phone, do a quick email, and [Merritt] quickly respond and help me figure it out,” says Robbins. 

Managing Cash Flow When Revenue Isn’t Even 

For project-driven businesses like Backyard Specialist, working capital isn’t only about borrowing. It’s about optimizing everyday cash flow — earning on balances, reducing friction in deposits, and maintaining visibility into incoming and outgoing funds. Southern Bank tools, such as remote deposit capture and interest-bearing business checking, help smooth gaps between customer payments and operating expenses. 

“When I saw all that you could offer — it was incredible to get interest on my business checking account. It’s like found money,” Robbins says. 

Planning for Growth Without Overextending 

Southern Bank’s relationship-first approach becomes especially valuable as businesses grow and financial decisions become more complex.  

Merritt says that early conversations around working capital often focus on what’s coming next — not just what’s needed today. Part of that continuity comes from the fact that Merritt and Robbins are still in the same local networking group, meeting regularly and staying closely connected as her business evolves. 

“That allows us to continue those communications going about how banking is going, how your business is going, how your financials are,” Merritt says. “Then we can have a future-looking insight into what we can do to help you — whether that’s needing a line of credit or looking at a building.” 

For many Wilmington businesses, working capital planning also means avoiding unnecessary risk. Rather than pushing one-size-fits-all solutions, relationship banking creates space for honest conversations about timing, fit, and readiness. 

“One thing that’s important about Southern is that it’s not just transactional all the time,” Merritt says. “It’s not just a product, it’s not fixed and done. We really roll with you the whole time.” 

Confidence Built on Continuity 

That mindset has helped Backyard Specialist manage growth without sacrificing stability. Robbins says the move to Southern Bank felt less like a disruption and more like a reset — one designed to support where the business was headed. 

“I can’t believe how easy the transition was,” she says. “I was a little hesitant because I thought it was going to be so much work.” 

As Wilmington continues to grow, businesses across various industries are reevaluating their cash flow management strategies to accommodate expansion, seasonal fluctuations, and reinvestment. The takeaway is simple: Working capital works best when it’s paired with guidance — not guesswork. 

For Robbins, that confidence comes from knowing her bank is built to last. “I can’t believe y’all are going to have 125 years [of business],” she says. “That makes me feel good as a customer because I know that you’re going to continue to be around.” 

Visit our website today to find out what Southern Bank can do for your business. You’ll find testimonials from business owners like you, be able to explore account options, and get the individualized guidance you need to move forward with confidence. 

Southern Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern BancShares (N.C.), Inc. Founded in 1901, Southern Bank has served its communities for 125 years. With its corporate headquarters located in Mount Olive, North Carolina, the bank has total assets over $5 billion and operates more than 60 locations throughout eastern North Carolina and Virginia.