Millionaire Mindset: Boost Your Wealth with Strategic Acquisitions - Chris Hurn and Harry Sardinas

Meet Chris Hurn—President and CEO of Phoenix Lender Services (PHX) and Community Bankshares, Inc.—a powerhouse in the commercial lending space and a champion for small and underserved businesses! In this high-octane episode, Chris unleashes game-changing strategies for entrepreneurs to crush their first million by dialing into their niche, leading with purpose, standing out from the crowd, and mastering marketing with relentless execution. He takes us inside his journey in business finance, revealing how SBA and USDA loan programs can fuel explosive growth, why partnerships and business brokers are essential for smart acquisitions, and how to make deals happen with precision. Packed with wisdom, grit, and real talk, Chris inspires entrepreneurs to stay fired up and purpose-driven—even when the temptation to slow down creeps in. This one’s a masterclass in making moves that matter!

About The Guest

Chris Hurn is the President and CEO of Community Bankshares, Inc., the parent company of Community Bank & Trust (CBT), Phoenix Lender Services (PHX), and Thomas Financial Group (TFG). With over 24 years of leadership in commercial lending, Chris specializes in SBA 7(a), USDA B&I, and other government-guaranteed loan programs that support small and underserved businesses nationwide. His team finances projects ranging from startups to $100MM+, focusing on business acquisitions, commercial real estate, equipment, working capital, and more. Under his leadership, CBT is a top 25 SBA lender and the #1 USDA B&I lender in 2024, while PHX and TFG lead the industry in SBA loan support and USDA loan packaging. Formerly the founder and CEO of Fountainhead, Chris and his team have closed over $28.8 billion in projects, including 287,710 PPP loans totaling $4.72 billion, helping save approximately 430,000 jobs. Passionate about entrepreneurship, Chris brings speed, service, and deep expertise to every client he serves.

Timestamp

00:00 Introduction: Achieving Your First Million

00:03 Guest Introduction: Chris, CEO of Community Bank Shares

00:10 Background of Community Bank Shares

00:19 Financing Small and Underserved Businesses

00:30 Chris' Background and Experience

00:47 The Five Steps to Achieve Your First Million

00:55 Step 1: Find a Niche

01:23 Step 2: Purpose and Passion

01:44 Step 3: Differentiation

02:20 Step 4: Marketing

03:11 Step 5: Execution

03:49 Business Finance and Underserving Services

04:37 Chris' Journey into Business Finance

07:51 Founding Mercantile Capital Corporation

09:10 Transition to Fountainhead

09:56 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

13:26 The Role of Community Bank Shares

15:11 Partnerships in Business

21:21 Retirement and Passion for Work

24:06 The Importance of Team and Leadership

25:57 Business Acquisition and Risks

30:13 Conclusion

30:56 Leadership Experience in Business

31:13 SBA Loans and Their Benefits

31:53 Finding Businesses for Sale

32:18 Property and Mortgage Concerns

33:49 Navigating Business Purchases

35:24 Finding Reliable Business Brokers

37:14 Evaluating a Business Before Purchase

38:32 Working with Business Brokers

41:07 Connecting with Chris and Financing Options

42:02 Program Conclusion and Farewell About The Host

Harry Sardinas is an Exponential Business Growth Strategist, Empowerment, Leadership, Public Speaking and Business Coach living in London, Influencer with 283,000+ followers, Events Organizer-connecting investors and entrepreneurs with opportunities. Harry helps companies to turn their products into global brands from the stage and he mentors tech companies and businesses to Get Pitch Ready and Investment Ready.

Feel free to connect with me here: to explore about events, speaking, branding and marketing solutions for entrepreneurs and influencers. I am launching a collaborative book for entrepreneurs who have sold at least 1 million pounds. Message me (Harry) +447775596554 to collaborate.

If you want to be featured on this podcast, and you're a successful entrepreneur able to share about how you grew your company, book your spot here: -

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IMPORTANT: Earnings and Legal Disclaimers

We don’t believe in get-rich-quick programs or guarantees of specific outcomes. We believe in hard work, adding value, and serving others, and our programs are designed to help you achieve those goals. As stated by law, we cannot and do not make any guarantees regarding your ability to achieve financial results, earn money, or improve your health using our ideas, information, programs, or strategies. Your success depends on your own efforts, skills, and circumstances, which are beyond our control.

We are here to support you by sharing our strategies to help you progress, but nothing on this page, any of our websites, videos, marketing materials, or in our emails constitutes a promise or guarantee of future earnings, financial outcomes, or health improvements. Any financial or health-related examples, estimates, projections, or past results referenced are for illustrative purposes only and reflect the views of the hosts and guests. They should not be considered as exact, actual, or assured results. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]

"Unstoppable Podcast - Harry Sardinas," podcast brings you inspiring conversations with influential millionaires, angel investors, property investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs who are making a massive difference in the world with their innovative products and services.