Episodes

  • Inside the Mind of SBA Loan Broker And Expert Ryan Smith | Ep. 23 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    Inside the Mind of SBA Loan Broker And Expert Ryan Smith | Ep. 23 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Nov 7 2025
    Ryan Smith, Principal and Founder of ThinkSBA and host of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, sits down to share his journey from a banking background to becoming a highly successful, niche SBA loan broker. In this deep-dive, Ryan discusses how a single declined loan was the catalyst for starting his own business, why he chose to focus exclusively on SBA loans, and the massive advantages of being a specialized expert versus a generalist. He also offers invaluable advice for small business owners and acquisition entrepreneurs on navigating the complex world of SBA lending and how he ensures his clients get the lowest interest rate and best terms for which they qualify.Key Takeaways:• The moment a single loan decline led to the creation of ThinkSBA.• Why niching down from "Holistic Lending" to SBA was the crucial decision for success.• The advantage of being the "Speedboat" that can pivot quickly, unlike the "Titanic" big banks.• How his personal experience of acquiring a business and signing a $5 million SBA loan adds unmatched credibility.• Why the market is shifting from real estate to business acquisition and franchising.• Powerful strategies for using the SBA 504 loan program to buy real estate with zero capital injection.• The future role of AI in enhancing analysis to free up human talent for revenue-generation.• The importance of a client-first culture and why bigger isn't always better for service quality. If you're looking to finance a business acquisition, buy commercial real estate, or just want expert advice on SBA lending, this episode is a must-watch!Key Chapters:• 0:00 - Introduction• 0:47 - What Inspired You?• 1:51 - Defining the Niche• 4:21 - Traditional Lending Problem• 8:38 - Mission Definition• 11:39 - Biggest Transition Challenges• 14:41 - Problem Solving• 18:23 - Loan Volume Products• 19:54 - Differentiation• 22:42 - Borrower Profile• 27:35 - SBA Misconceptions• 29:56 - Lending Trends• 32:00 - Capital Allocation• 34:03 - Pre-Qualification Timing• 36:58 - Lessons Learned• 39:56 - Future LandscapeMore ThinkSBA Resources • Subject Matter Experts Face to Face Interv... ⁠More ThinkSBA Resources⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Callhttps://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviewshttps://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questionshttps://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
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    53 mins
  • Exit Planning and Income Wealth Distribution with Scott Chelberg | Ep. 22 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    Exit Planning and Income Wealth Distribution with Scott Chelberg | Ep. 22 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Oct 24 2025
    Many business owners focus on building wealth (accumulation) but neglect the crucial final phase: wealth distribution. In this podcast, expert wealth advisor Scott Chelberg, President of Retirement Solutions , dives deep into exit planning which is really just strategic planning for business owners who are nearing retirement.Learn the essential steps to maximize your business's value and ensure you have the income to support your ideal retirement lifestyle. Scott explains how to quarterback your financial team, coordinate your experts, and why you need to think about taxes now—including how your money will be taxed when it comes out of your investments.What you will learn:Why exit planning should start 5 years or more before you plan to sell.The difference between a typical investment advisor (accumulation) and a true wealth advisor (holistic planning and distribution).The 4 C's of value that drive a business's worth, beyond just the balance sheet.How to structure your income distribution into different 'silos' to manage risk and tax burden in retirement.Strategies for "Tired Ted"—the business owner who is near retirement but hasn't prepared.Don't wait until the last minute! Start planning for a successful exit and a secure, tax-efficient retirement today.If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:Instagram: ⁠⁠ / mysbapro ⁠⁠Twitter: ⁠⁠ / mysbapro ⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠ / ryanpatryck ⁠⁠Key Chapters:⁠00:00⁠ - Introduction⁠01:45⁠ - Attraction ⁠03:57⁠ - Ideal Client ⁠05:43⁠ - Value Gap ⁠07:12⁠ - Timing ⁠09:21⁠ - Unprepared ⁠12:44⁠ - Dream Client ⁠19:27⁠ - Taxation ⁠25:27⁠ - Foxes ⁠32:57⁠ - Four Cs ⁠3⁠⁠7:58⁠ - Second Opinion 40:34 - Success StoriesMore Subject Matter Experts Playlist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Subject Matter Experts Face to Face Interv... ⁠⁠⁠ More ThinkSBA Resources⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba⁠⁠ - Schedule Call⁠⁠https://g.page/thinksba⁠⁠ - Google Business Page & Reviews⁠⁠https://thinksba.com/faq⁠⁠ - Frequently Asked Questions⁠⁠https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠⁠⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @thinksba - ⁠⁠YouTube Channel
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    40 mins
  • How to Prepare Your Business for an Exit with Joshua Donnelly | Ep. 21 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    How to Prepare Your Business for an Exit with Joshua Donnelly | Ep. 21 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Oct 10 2025
    Joshua Donnelly, founder of Stone Canyon Advisors, shares his incredible journey from running a cattle operation in his teens to becoming a leading M&A advisor. He reveals why he left a successful investment banking career to build his own "platform business" and explains his unique "Acquirable Platform" designed to help business owners maximize their exit value.In this conversation, we dive deep into:- The "Acquirable Framework": The four pillars (Efficiencies, Financials, Culture, Scale) that determine a company's sale readiness.- The Power of Preparation: How a 2-3 year preparation plan can double a company's sale value and create generational wealth.- Counterintuitive M&A Insights: The "un-Googleable" strategies, like why not all revenue is good revenue when preparing for a sale.- The Founder's Journey: Joshua's personal story of taking the leap, dealing with anxiety, and building a company worth copying for his sons.If you're a business owner considering an exit or an entrepreneur on the precipice of a big decision, this episode is packed with actionable advice.If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:Instagram: / mysbapro Twitter: / mysbapro LinkedIn: / ryanpatryck Key Chapters:0:00 - From Cattle to Banking2:30 - Founding Stone Canyon5:15 - The "Acquirable Platform"8:10 - Ideal Client Profile10:45 - What Makes a Company Saleable14:20 - Renovate for the Buyer17:50 - Case Study: Illuminating Value22:00 - Un-Googleable M&A Secrets26:30 - The 3-Year Engagement Process30:10 - Taking the LeapMore Subject Matter Experts Playlist • Subject Matter Experts Face to Face Interv... ⁠ More ThinkSBA Resources⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Callhttps://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviewshttps://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questionshttps://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast / @thinksba - YouTube Channel
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    50 mins
  • How To Conduct Due Diligence on SBA M&A Transactions with Andy Cox | Ep. 20 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    How To Conduct Due Diligence on SBA M&A Transactions with Andy Cox | Ep. 20 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Sep 25 2025

    Andy, a former San Francisco Police Sergeant Inspector, spent 20 years investigating crimes and uncovering the truth. Now, he uses those same skills to help business owners and investors perform deep due diligence for M&A deals. In this episode, he reveals:

    • The biggest red flags that a person or company is not who they claim to be.

    • How to spot fake testimonials and fabricated business credentials.

    • The psychological reasons buyers ignore glaring warning signs (it's not just greed).

    • The real-world sources he uses to investigate executives and businesses.

    • Why trusting your gut feeling may save you time and money.

    Learn how to protect yourself from costly mistakes by seeing the world through the eyes of a detective.


    If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanpatryck


    Key Chapters:

    0:00 - Introduction

    0:50 - Career Pivot

    2:15 - Detective Skills

    3:10 - Changed Perspective

    4:15 - Daily Routine

    6:10 - Retirement Decision

    7:45 - Becoming a PI

    9:30 - Company Introduction

    11:15 - Investigation Sources

    13:00 - Red Flags

    15:45 - Client Reactions




    More Subject Matter Experts Playlist

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1v-z-ZlTQ4FuSfq8GRuV9jJY3dd5vw9p&si=04XGGOYICU8pngKN⁠

    More ThinkSBA Resources

    ⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Call

    https://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviews

    https://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questions

    https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel
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    51 mins
  • How to Buy Commercial Property with SBA 7(a) with Kalen Foster | Ep. 19 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    How to Buy Commercial Property with SBA 7(a) with Kalen Foster | Ep. 19 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Jul 18 2025

    Want to stop renting and own the building your business operates in? In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, Kalen Foster shares how to use the SBA 7(a) loan to buy owner-occupied commercial real estate with as little as 10% down. Learn the key differences between SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, how rent replacement works, and what lenders look for when approving real estate purchases. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or expanding to a second location, this episode offers expert guidance to help you control your future through property ownership.


    If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanpatryck


    Key Chapters:

    0:00 – Podcast Introduction

    0:13 – Owning vs. Renting

    2:55 – SBA Rent Replacement

    4:34 – Variable vs. Fixed Rates

    6:00 – Low Down Payments

    7:12 – Business + Real Estate

    10:58 – 7(a) Loan Features

    12:42 – 7(a) vs. 504 Loans

    17:23 – Appraisals & Compliance

    23:42 – Expanding Your Business


    More Subject Matter Experts Playlist

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1v-z-ZlTQ4FuSfq8GRuV9jJY3dd5vw9p&si=04XGGOYICU8pngKN⁠

    More ThinkSBA Resources

    ⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Call

    https://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviews

    https://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questions

    https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel
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    40 mins
  • How to Use SBA 7(a) Loans to Buy a Business With Kalen Foster | Ep. 18 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    How to Use SBA 7(a) Loans to Buy a Business With Kalen Foster | Ep. 18 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Jul 4 2025
    Thinking about buying a business? This episode of the MySBA Loan Pro Podcast features Kalen Foster, a leading expert in SBA business acquisition financing. Discover how SBA 7(a) financing works for acquisition entrepreneurs and self-funded searchers looking to close deals with confidence. Kalen breaks down the SBA loan process, lender expectations, and keys qualifying for an SBA 7(a) loan. Learn how to structure your deal, avoid common financing mistakes, and stand out to lenders. Whether you're just starting your acquisition journey or deep in due diligence, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you secure the SBA loan you need to buy a business.If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:Instagram: ⁠ / mysbapro ⁠Twitter: ⁠ / mysbapro ⁠LinkedIn: ⁠ / ryanpatryck Key Chapters:0:00 - Podcast Introduction 1:09 - Banking Transition 2:02 - Math Matters 3:02 - Ideal Buyer Traits 7:26 - Zero Down Myth 16:32 - Industry Focus 20:51 - Seller’s Role 23:00 - Tax Truths 26:05 - Underwriting Advantage 29:17 - Underwriter EtiquetteMore Subject Matter Experts Playlist⁠ ⁠⁠• Subject Matter Experts Face to Face Interv... ⁠⁠More ThinkSBA Resources⁠⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba⁠ - Schedule Call⁠https://g.page/thinksba⁠ - Google Business Page & Reviews⁠https://thinksba.com/faq⁠ - Frequently Asked Questions⁠https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast⁠ / @thinksba ⁠YouTube Channel
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    47 mins
  • The Executive Benefits Playbook with Don Curristan | Ep. 17 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    The Executive Benefits Playbook with Don Curristan | Ep. 17 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Jun 21 2025
    Don Curristan, an executive benefits expert with 27+ years of experience, reveals how business owners and CEOs use deferred compensation, SERPs, and phantom stock to retain key employees. Learn:- The surprising tax advantages of deferred comp plansHow performance-based incentives work without equity-Common mistakes companies make with executive benefits- Why proper plan design makes all the difference- Perfect for business owners, HR professionals, and financial advisors looking for advanced compensation strategies.If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:Instagram: / mysbapro Twitter: / mysbapro LinkedIn: / ryanpatryck Key Chapters:0:00 - Introduction0:50 - Career Background2:15 - Who Needs These Plans?4:45 - Deferred Compensation Explained6:30 - Tax Benefits8:10 - SERPs Overview10:25 - Phantom Stock Case Study12:40 - Implementation Process14:55 - Common Mistakes16:20 - DIY vs Professional Help18:00 - Closing ThoughtsMore Subject Matter Experts Playlist • Subject Matter Experts Face to Face Interv... ⁠More ThinkSBA Resources⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Callhttps://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviewshttps://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questionshttps://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast / @thinksba YouTube Channel
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    52 mins
  • Employment Law Risks Every Business Must Know with Sam Sherman | Ep. 16 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    Employment Law Risks Every Business Must Know with Sam Sherman | Ep. 16 | My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
    Jun 6 2025

    Employment attorney Sam Sherman reveals critical legal risks California business owners face—from wage/hour compliance to PAGA lawsuits, misclassification, and M&A pitfalls. Learn how to protect your business proactively and avoid costly mistakes.


    If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

    LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanpatryck


    Key Chapters:


    0:00 - Introduction

    1:54 - Wage & Hour

    3:20 - Employee Classification

    5:38 - Demand Letters

    7:38 - Leave Management

    9:50 - Immigration Compliance

    12:39 - M&A Risks

    15:00 - PAGA Lawsuits

    17:50 - Settlement Pressures

    20:08 - HR vs Legal

    22:27 - Proactive Prevention



    More Subject Matter Experts Playlist

    https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1v-z-ZlTQ4FuSfq8GRuV9jJY3dd5vw9p&si=04XGGOYICU8pngKN⁠

    More ThinkSBA Resources⁠

    https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Call

    https://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviews

    https://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questions

    https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

    http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel
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    45 mins