Influencer Blueprint Show

Today we're discussing what it really takes to build wealth through real estate, how investors can think strategically about financing in today's ever changing market, the importance of budgeting and disciplined decision-making, and what our guest calls the 4 C's.

Here to talk to us is Matthew Coleman, CEO of VI Capital Lending, who brings more than three decades of deep industry knowledge in real estate, development, and private lending. He's helping real estate investors access customized lending solutions tailored to their values, investment and development goals. He specializes in empowering his clients through strategic financing, helping them navigate acquisitions, development projects, refinancing, and growth opportunities in changing market conditions. He also has a unique perspective on how investors can position themselves for long-term success.

During the show we discuss:

• Why chasing deals is the fastest way to stay broke (and what to focus on instead)
• How to leverage capital strategically to multiply opportunities
• The real drivers of long-term wealth in real estate investing
• How to manage risk like seasoned investors (not amateurs)
• The role of discipline and budgeting in scaling a portfolio
• What the "4 C's" framework is—and how it guides smarter decisions
• How to navigate shifting market conditions without panic
• How to structure financing to support growth, not stall it

Resources: https://www.vicapitallending.com/

Keith is the CEO & Co-Founder of GoodStream, a company focused on transforming how private capital firms manage and analyze portfolio data through AI-powered automation and real-time intelligence..

Today, GoodStream uses AI to turn fragmented portfolio information into audit-ready intelligence for private capital firms. In its first year, GoodStream demonstrated that AI can reliably extract and organize information from complex financial documents, helping investment firms reduce manual data entry, improve reporting accuracy, and gain faster visibility into their portfolios.

Keith brings a highly practical and forward-thinking perspective on AI infrastructure, private capital operations, workflow automation, and the future of data intelligence in finance. His focus is on helping firms eliminate repetitive manual work while improving operational accuracy and decision-making.

Keith's perspective would be especially valuable for conversations around AI in finance, private credit, operational efficiency, fintech innovation, and how investment firms can leverage AI to modernize portfolio management.

During the show we discuss:

• Why the real problem in lending isn't access to data—but making sense of it
• How AI can turn financial documents into actionable insights in minutes
• The impact of automation on approval speed, accuracy, and risk reduction
• Why manual underwriting is becoming inefficient and outdated
• How lenders use AI to analyze cash flow, financials, and borrower health
• What this shift means for business owners seeking funding
• How better data interpretation leads to more approvals and better terms
• Why embracing technology is critical for both lenders and borrowers moving forward

You can explore more about Keith here: Website: https://www.goodstream.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithlsmith/

Marianne McKinney is the owner of Alliance Star Franchise Financing and has been helping franchisees secure commercial financing. She specializes in guiding franchise owners through the entire loan process, from pre-qualification to final funding including helping those who don't qualify with a plan to improve future qualification opportunities. With an impressive 97% approval rate and over $25 million in secured loans annually, she has built a reputation for delivering results while simplifying complex financial processes for her clients.

Her expertise includes commercial loan structuring, financial modeling, risk evaluation, and business planning, including preparing five-year financial projections. Marianne works closely with franchisees to tailor financing strategies that align with their specific goals, whether for startups, acquisitions, remodels, equipment, or working capital.

What sets Marianne apart is her hands-on approach,she manages the entire process so her clients never have to guess the next step. She also collaborates with franchisors and lenders, ensuring that every application meets strict bank requirements before submission.

Marianne brings a practical, results-driven perspective to franchise financing, offering valuable insights into how entrepreneurs can successfully secure funding and grow their businesses.

During the show we discussed:

• Why franchise financing has a higher approval rate than traditional startups
• How to get approved even if you're new to business ownership
• The exact steps to go from idea → pre-qualification → funded deal
• Why your business plan and financial projections can make or break approval
• How lenders evaluate your risk, experience, and financial profile
• What to do if you get declined—and how to turn it into a future approval
• How to structure funding for startups, acquisitions, remodels, and working capital
• Why having the right advisor can dramatically increase your success rate

You can learn more about her here: Website: https://asffinc.com linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-mckinney-275b8114/

Ari is the Co-Owner of Pacific Direct Mortgage & Real Estate, Inc., where she specializes in helping individuals, investors, and business owners secure strategic financing for residential and investment properties. With a strong focus on aligning lending solutions with long-term wealth-building goals, Ari works closely with clients to navigate today's evolving real estate and lending landscape.

With extensive experience in mortgage lending and real estate, Ari brings a hands-on, deal-focused approach to financing. Her expertise includes residential mortgages, investment property funding, refinancing strategies, and structuring loans that position borrowers for both immediate opportunities and long-term growth. She is known for simplifying complex financing scenarios and helping clients confidently move forward with the right capital solutions.

As a co-owner, Ari plays a key role in delivering a client-first experience at Pacific Direct Mortgage & Real Estate, ensuring borrowers receive personalized guidance and access to the most effective funding options available. She is passionate about empowering clients through education and helping them build sustainable wealth through real estate.

Ari's perspective would be especially valuable for conversations around real estate financing, mortgage strategies, market trends, and how entrepreneurs and investors can better position themselves to secure funding in today's environment.

During the show we discuss:

• Why lending should be a strategy—not just a transaction
• How private money and equity-based lending can unlock deals faster than banks
• What makes a deal attractive to lenders (hint: it's not just credit)
• Why speed, flexibility, and execution matter more than chasing the lowest rate
• How to structure deals to reduce risk and increase approvals
• The biggest mistakes real estate investors make when seeking funding
• Why working with the right lending team can accelerate your entire portfolio growth
• How to transition from doing deals → building long-term wealth through lending + ownership

You can explore more about Ari here: Website: www.pacificdirectmortgage.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaradonawalker/

Martin Cheara is the President of Express Capital Financing, where he helps business owners secure strategic financing solutions tailored to their operational and growth needs. His experience spans working capital solutions, equipment financing, and alternative lending programs designed to help companies access capital quickly and efficiently.

With a strong understanding of the small business funding landscape, Martin brings a practical and relationship-driven approach to helping entrepreneurs navigate financing challenges and identify the right funding strategies for their businesses.

Martin's perspective would be especially valuable for conversations around alternative lending, business financing strategies, access to capital, and how entrepreneurs can better position themselves for funding opportunities in today's market.

During the show we discuss:

• Why real estate financing is more about the deal than your personal profile
• How fix-and-flip funding actually works (and how to qualify)
• The difference between bridge loans, DSCR loans, and construction financing
• Why today's market offers more flexible lending options than ever before
• How to structure deals so lenders are more likely to say yes
• What new investors get wrong—and how to get funded even without deep experience
• Why relationships and strategy matter more than just "shopping rates"
• How to transition from short-term flips to long-term cash flow investments

Anthony Rose is the Chief Financial Officer at Kapitus, where he has led financial strategy, operations, and growth initiatives since 2018. With more than 25 years of experience across investment banking, fintech, and corporate finance, he brings deep expertise in capital markets, balance sheet management, and strategic planning.

Prior to joining Kapitus, Anthony served as Chief Administrative Officer at Dime Community Bancshares and held CFO roles at ISI Group and the Global Equities Investment Bank at Credit Suisse. Earlier in his career, he held key leadership positions at JPMorgan Chase, including VP of Capital and Balance Sheet Strategy and Equity Research Analyst.

Anthony holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and is known for his strategic insight, leadership, and ability to drive financial performance in complex organizations.

During the show we discuss:

• Why credit discipline (not just tech) is the real backbone of successful lending companies
• How lenders evaluate you using cash flow vs. credit score (and why this matters)
• The real criteria that determine if you qualify for business funding
• Why fast growth can be dangerous—and how controlled scaling wins long-term
• The difference between loans, lines of credit, revenue financing, and equipment financing (and when to use each)
• How to still get funding even if your credit isn't perfect
• What lenders look for in a "strong borrower profile"
• Why many fintech companies fail—and what separates the ones that last

Resources: https://kapitus.com/

Tim Mages is the CEO of ECG, expansion capital group, where he helps businesses secure customized financing solutions to support growth, operations, and long-term success. With extensive experience in commercial finance and equipment leasing, Tim works closely with companies across a variety of industries to structure funding solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Under his leadership, ECG has built a strong reputation for providing flexible financing options and helping businesses navigate complex funding challenges efficiently. Tim brings a practical and relationship-driven perspective to business lending, capital access, and strategic financing.

Tim's perspective would be especially valuable for conversations around commercial finance, equipment leasing, business growth strategies, and how companies can better position themselves to access capital in today's market.

During the show we discuss:

• Why traditional banks reject so many small business owners (and what they're really looking for)
• How alternative lenders evaluate risk differently—and why that opens more doors
• The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to secure funding
• How to position your business to get approved faster and for higher amounts
• Why speed and flexibility in funding can be a competitive advantage
• The truth about merchant cash advances, equipment financing, and other options—what's legit and what's misunderstood
• How lenders think about cash flow vs. credit scores
• What it really takes to scale using capital without putting your business at risk

Resources: Website: https://www.ecg.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-m-1647775/

Many business owners spend years chasing revenue (building six, seven, even eight figure businesses) only to discover that building a successful business doesn't automatically create wealth. In today's conversation, we'll explore the difference between becoming funding-ready and becoming truly wealth-ready, the financial habits that keep business owner's stuck, and how we can use proper structure, capital, and financial discipline to create long-term success AND generational wealth.

Today's guest Katrina Fitten, is the CEO and Chief Financial Officer of New Day for You Financial and a Certified Master Financial Coach. She is answering the question many need answered which is, "what to do after you get access to money to begin to build generational wealth, and bringing a unique perspective to this, after experiencing significant financial hardship and then transforming her own financial future.

She's equipping "womanpreneurs" with the systems, education, and funding strategies needed to structure their businesses properly, improve financial credibility, and access capital with confidence. Through her coaching and Business Structure Blueprint, she helps clients move from struggling with cash flow to building scalable, sustainable businesses and wealth.

Her mission is to ensure women stop relying on personal funds to run their businesses and instead become financially prepared, funding-ready, and positioned for long-term success and wealth creation.

During the show we discuss:

• Why most entrepreneurs get denied funding—and how to fix it before applying
• How personal finances impact business funding approvals more than you think
• The key financial foundations every business needs before scaling
• How to structure your business properly to become fundable
• Why financial discipline and organization drive long-term success
• Common mistakes entrepreneurs make with money that hurt their growth
• How to prepare for funding the right way instead of rushing into it
• How to build confidence around money and financial decision-making

Resources: https://www.newdayforyoufinancial.com/

Have you ever thought about raising capital for your business? Many entrepreneurs assume that raising capital means giving up equity, taking on restrictive debt, or waiting until they're much larger to access meaningful funding. But today's financing landscape offers more options than ever for growth-focused companies looking to scale without sacrificing ownership. Today we're going to talk about thinking strategically about financing, when debt makes more sense than equity, common mistakes often made when raising capital, and what it takes to build a business that's truly ready for growth.

Joining us is Michael Wallace, CEO of TIMIA Capital, who specializes in helping technology companies access non-dilutive growth capital designed to support expansion while preserving flexibility. Michael has deep expertise across lending and tech and works closely with entrepreneurs and investment partners to design financing strategies that prioritize scalability and flexibility.

Prior to joining TIMIA in 2024, Michael served as President of Torinit and CEO of FindWRK, a recruiting marketplace startup. He also played a pivotal role at Langhaus Financial, joining as its first executive hire and helping scale it into Canada's largest alternative life insurance lender before its successful sale in 2022.

Michael began his career in management consulting at Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University, bringing a strong foundation of strategic and operational leadership to every venture he leads.

During the show we discuss:

• Why giving up equity isn't always necessary to raise meaningful capital
• When debt is actually the smarter option for growth-focused businesses
• How non-dilutive financing works and why it's gaining popularity
• What makes a business "fundable" in today's lending environment
• Common capital-raising mistakes that cost founders time, money, and ownership
• How to think strategically about financing instead of reacting when you need cash
• Why lenders vs. investors look for different things—and how to position for both
• How to scale while maintaining control and flexibility

Resources: https://timiacapital.com/

Brock Blake is the CEO and co-founder of Lendio, the nation's leading small business finance solutions provider, dedicated to making access to capital faster, simpler, and more transparent for entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, Lendio has helped small business owners secure more than $16 billion in funding, empowering growth and opportunity across industries.

An Inc. 500 CEO, national keynote speaker, and Forbes contributor, Brock is widely recognized for his impact on the fintech and small business landscape, including being named Utah's Emerging Executive of the Year. Beyond business success, he is deeply committed to building a strong, values-driven company culture rooted in humility, performance, and service.

Through Lendio Gives, Brock has championed global impact—helping provide microloans to underserved entrepreneurs worldwide via Kiva for every loan facilitated on the platform.

During the show we discuss:

• Why most small businesses struggle to get funding—and how to overcome those barriers
• How lending marketplaces work and why they're changing the game for entrepreneurs
• What lenders actually look for when approving funding (and how to position yourself)
• How to match your business with the right type of financing instead of taking the wrong capital
• The biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to secure funding
• How Brock scaled Lendio into a market leader in small business lending
• Why access to capital is a growth strategy—not just a safety net
• How to simplify the funding process and avoid wasting time with the wrong lenders

Resources: https://www.lendio.com/company