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 Landscape

More ThinkSBA Resources

  • Subject Matter Experts Face to Face Interv...

⁠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