In this episode of the Paper Trail Podcast, Chris sits down with Beth Johnson, co-founder of Flynn Family Lending and author of Lend to Live, to dive deep into what it really takes to build a sustainable, ethical private lending business.

Beth shares her accidental journey from being a real estate side hustler to running a boutique lending firm alongside her husband. She talks candidly about the challenges of managing investor capital, the importance of due diligence, and why private lending is as much about relationships and risk management as it is about returns.

From how to vet borrowers and avoid common lending pitfalls, to navigating the emotional side of working with other people’s money, Beth’s perspective offers both practical advice and a reality check for new and experienced lenders alike.

Beth will be a featured speaker and panel moderator at the upcoming Paper Trail Conference (September 18–20 in Chandler, Arizona), where she’ll cover risk management, structuring deals, and why private lending isn’t a get-rich-quick business.

To meet Beth in person and gain the tools to lend smarter and safer, grab your tickets at papertrailconference.com.