Shelby Reed with Minnow Loan in Missouri - #281

In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, Jason sits down with Shelby Reed, co-founder of Minnow Loan, a fast-growing private lending company based in Missouri. Shelby shares her journey from real estate investor to full-time private lender, and how she and her partner built Minnow Loan from the ground up in just two years—focusing exclusively on Missouri markets like St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia.

This episode is packed with practical insights for private lenders and entrepreneurs alike. Shelby breaks down how she competes with institutional lenders, her commitment to relationship-driven lending, and why she believes staying local has been a strategic advantage. She also opens up about her internal processes, from loan origination and underwriting to the challenges of processing loans solo and knowing when it’s time to hire.

What You’ll Learn:

• Shelby’s path from investor to lender and how Minnow Loan got started

• Strategies for scaling smart while maintaining control and quality

• The day-to-day realities of running a small lending business

• How to prioritize tasks that move loans from “committed” to “funded”

• Why hand-holding borrowers can be a differentiator in a competitive market

• Shelby’s 5-year vision for growth, sustainability, and consistency

• Tips on hiring for backend support and improving efficiency

Whether you're new to private lending or looking to grow your operation, this conversation is a real-world look at what it takes to build a profitable, purpose-driven lending business—without losing sight of relationships, reputation, and long-term goals.

🔗 Learn more about Shelby and Minnow Loan: minnowloan.com

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