Randall Nixon

Ampley Heartstone Capital LLC

When Randall Nixon reflects on his multifaceted career, one thread that consistently emerges is a passion for driving change in minority business development. As the founder of Ampley Heartstone Capital, a firm providing non-bank access to capital and business consulting, Nixon has channeled decades of experience as an entrepreneur, attorney, and policymaker into facilitating opportunities for others.

From Law School to Professional Cycling

Nixon’s journey is anything but conventional. While pursuing a law degree, a knee injury led him to discover competitive cycling. What started as a rehabilitation exercise quickly became a competitive passion. Nixon trained rigorously, even while balancing the demanding schedule of law school, and excelled in domestic races. His determination paid off when he was invited to race professionally in Milan, Italy, as part of a pro-continental team. For several years, Nixon competed in some of the most challenging international cycling events.

“It was a culture shock, incredibly hard, and an unforgettable experience,” he recalls. Returning to the U.S. with an established name in the sport, Nixon was able to earn a substantial income racing domestically—enough to fund his MBA at Harvard. “I made more money racing on weekends than I did clerking for a trial judge,” he says, laughing.

Building a Career in Advocacy and Business

Nixon’s professional journey began on Capitol Hill, where he worked as a Congressional assistant to U.S. Representative Parrin Mitchell (D-Md.), a champion for minority businesses and the first African-American chairman of the House Small Business Committee. Under Mitchell’s mentorship, he developed a lifelong commitment to advocating for equity in business.

This commitment continued during his tenure in the Maryland Governor’s Office, where he served as Gov. Larry Hogan’s senior business ombudsman and later as the executive director of the Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance. His job involved ensuring fair treatment for minority contractors and creating innovative business strategies to support entrepreneurs.

“These roles allowed me to combine my expertise as an entrepreneur, lawyer, and academic,” Nixon explains. “It was exhilarating to help businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes.”

Nixon founded Ampley Heartstone Capital to address one of the most pressing challenges he observed minority-owned businesses facing while he was on Capitol Hill: access to capital. “I had seen countless minority businesses struggle to secure the funding they needed to fulfill contracts or to grow,” he says. “All too often, the issue wasn’t a lack of expertise but a lack of relationships in boardrooms and financial networks.”

Taking inspiration from the strategic naming of Berkshire Hathaway, he chose the name “Ampley Heartstone” to evoke a sense of tradition, stability, and professionalism. The firm focuses on providing alternative financing solutions through a network of over 100 lenders.

“There’s about a trillion dollars in non-bank financing available each year,” Nixon notes. “We help businesses tap into that capital at competitive rates, quickly and efficiently.”

Beyond financing, the firm offers consulting services to help businesses optimize their operations, develop strategic plans, and build financial structures that enable long-term growth.

Expanding Financing Opportunity: A Mission-Driven Approach

Headquartered in Montgomery County, Ampley Heartstone Capital is well-positioned in a dynamic, diverse, and resource-rich environment. “The County’s commitment to minority business growth aligns perfectly with Ampley Heartston’s mission,” Nixon says. “It’s an exciting place to be.”

The company is guided by a commitment to building relationships and fostering growth. “We’re not transactional brokers,” Nixon emphasizes. “We don’t drop you off at the corner. We want to become part of our clients’ success stories. Whether it’s a $50,000 deal or a $50 million project, our goal is to see the business thrive.”

The firm has facilitated projects ranging from office developments to federal government contracts. They recently secured $10 million in financing for a minority-owned business servicing a Department of Defense contract in Texas.

Looking ahead, Ampley Heartstone Capital is eager to expand its impact. “Access to capital remains the biggest challenge for minority businesses,” he says. “We’re here to change that narrative.”

Ampley Heartstone Capital LLC

Professional Services

We are boutique firm specializing in commercial non-bank financing for small and medium-sized businesses. We work with over 100 different lenders to provide entrepreneurs with term loans, lines of credit, contract financing, real estate financing, equipment financing, and merchant cash advances.

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