In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, Ryan Smith sits down with Casey Hopkins of Southland CDC for a clear, no-fluff breakdown of the SBA 504 loan program to purchase owner-occupied real estate.

This conversation focuses on the core mechanics and decision points business owners need to understand before buying owner-occupied commercial real estate—from eligibility and structure to timing, rates, and prepayment strategy.

If you’re considering buying your building, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and make informed decisions.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanpatryck

Key Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
01:22 - Casey's Background
04:30 - 504 Overview
05:52 - Loan Structure
08:13 - Property Types
10:15 - Eligibility
11:21 - Occupancy Rule
16:59 - Application Process
19:54 - Timing Strategy
22:27 - SBA Review
29:32 - Screen Outs
34:55 - Loan Limits
42:47 - Prepayment Rules
54:19 - Best Timing

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1...

⁠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
http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel

In this episode, Roy Chiovari shares how he’s helping redefine what it means to be a banker in today’s world — moving beyond transactions to the art of personalized private banking at Citizens Private Bank.

Drawing on his early credit training and experience at Wells Fargo, Roy explains how that foundation shaped his holistic approach to serving clients. His team functions as a single, lifelong point of contact for business owners and real estate investors—simplifying everything from day-to-day banking to long-term financial strategy.

For busy entrepreneurs, Roy’s mission is clear: eliminate banking “brain damage” through responsive, remote-friendly, full-service support. He also highlights why deposits—not just loans—reveal the depth of a client relationship, and how referrals from satisfied clients have become the cornerstone of his thriving practice.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanpatryck

Key Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction
0:42 - Chicago Roots
1:53 - Credit Training
5:48 - From Transactional to Relational
7:16 - What is Private Banking?
9:18 - Holistic Client Care
12:47 - Avoiding Banking Brain Damage
17:50 - The Power of Deposits
19:42 - Exiting a Business
20:30 - Owner-Occupied Real Estate

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1...

⁠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
http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel

Ryan Smith, SBA loan expert, is joined by Melissa Bustarde, an M&A attorney and Managing Partner at Branthman, Mayfield, Bustarde, Ryckanthal LLP (BMBR LLP). Melissa specializes in representing both buyers and sellers in lower-middle-market transactions—deals of $10 million or less in enterprise value—and has advised numerous acquisition entrepreneurs who used SBA financing to close their transactions.

In this episode, Melissa shares her remarkable career journey, detailing her path from law clerk to firm owner, and provides crucial legal guidance for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Key topics covered include:

• Why niche M&A expertise is essential, and why hiring a non-specialized attorney is a mistake.
• The critical importance of the Letter of Intent (LOI) and why signing it without counsel can increase costs and risks.
• The three core areas of a purchase agreement that protect buyers: R&Ws, Indemnification, and payment structure.
• How Melissa’s holistic experience representing both sides allows her to negotiate better deals for her clients.
• The risk of over-complication from larger law firms and how to streamline the process.
• The difference between Asset vs. Stock/MIPA Purchases, and how to mitigate downside risk.
• Insights into her transition to General Counsel for clients post-acquisition, covering everything from entity formation to contract review.
• The future of the legal industry and how AI is currently impacting drafting and litigation.

If you are buying or selling a business, this deep dive into M&A legal strategy is essential viewing!
 

Key Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction
0:47 - Attorney Background
1:30 - Clerk to Partner
3:00 - Recessions' Impact
4:26 - M&A Focus
5:43 - Tailored Fees
8:31 - Legal Audit
11:29 - Geographic Limits
13:50 - Letter of Intent
16:58 - Buyer Protections
20:30 - Case Study
23:44 - R&W Importance
28:50 - Asset vs Stock
37:37 - General Counsel
42:26 - AI Impact
44:48 - AI Litigation

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist
 • 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
  / @thinksba  

• YouTube Channel

Many business owners focus on building wealth (accumulation) but neglect the crucial final phase: wealth distribution. In this podcast, expert wealth advisor Scott Chelberg, President of Retirement Solutions , dives deep into exit planning which is really just strategic planning for business owners who are nearing retirement.Learn the essential steps to maximize your business's value and ensure you have the income to support your ideal retirement lifestyle. Scott explains how to quarterback your financial team, coordinate your experts, and why you need to think about taxes now—including how your money will be taxed when it comes out of your investments.What you will learn:

• Why exit planning should start 5 years or more before you plan to sell.
• The difference between a typical investment advisor (accumulation) and a true wealth advisor (holistic planning and distribution).
• The 4 C's of value that drive a business's worth, beyond just the balance sheet.
• How to structure your income distribution into different 'silos' to manage risk and tax burden in retirement.
• Strategies for "Tired Ted"—the business owner who is near retirement but hasn't prepared.

Don't wait until the last minute! Start planning for a successful exit and a secure, tax-efficient retirement today.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: ⁠⁠  / mysbapro  ⁠⁠

Twitter: ⁠⁠  / mysbapro  ⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠  / ryanpatryck  ⁠⁠

Key Chapters:

⁠00:00⁠ - Introduction

⁠01:45⁠ - Attraction 

⁠03:57⁠ - Ideal Client 

⁠05:43⁠ - Value Gap 

⁠07:12⁠ - Timing 

⁠09:21⁠ - Unprepared 

⁠12:44⁠ - Dream Client 

⁠19:27⁠ - Taxation 

⁠25:27⁠ - Foxes 

⁠32:57⁠ - Four Cs 

⁠3⁠⁠7:58⁠ - Second Opinion 

40:34 - Success Stories

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist⁠⁠  ⁠⁠

⁠⁠ • 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 ⁠⁠

⁠⁠  / @thinksba  - ⁠⁠YouTube Channel

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

Joshua Donnelly, founder of Stone Canyon Advisors, shares his incredible journey from running a cattle operation in his teens to becoming a leading M&A advisor. He reveals why he left a successful investment banking career to build his own "platform business" and explains his unique "Acquirable Platform" designed to help business owners maximize their exit value.

In this conversation, we dive deep into:

- The "Acquirable Framework": The four pillars (Efficiencies, Financials, Culture, Scale) that determine a company's sale readiness.

- The Power of Preparation: How a 2-3 year preparation plan can double a company's sale value and create generational wealth.

- Counterintuitive M&A Insights: The "un-Googleable" strategies, like why not all revenue is good revenue when preparing for a sale.

- The Founder's Journey: Joshua's personal story of taking the leap, dealing with anxiety, and building a company worth copying for his sons.

If you're a business owner considering an exit or an entrepreneur on the precipice of a big decision, this episode is packed with actionable advice.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram:   / mysbapro  

Twitter:   / mysbapro  

LinkedIn:   / ryanpatryck  

Key Chapters:

0:00 - From Cattle to Banking

2:30 - Founding Stone Canyon

5:15 - The "Acquirable Platform"

8:10 - Ideal Client Profile

10:45 - What Makes a Company Saleable

14:20 - Renovate for the Buyer

17:50 - Case Study: Illuminating Value

22:00 - Un-Googleable M&A Secrets

26:30 - The 3-Year Engagement Process

30:10 - Taking the Leap

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist  

 • 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 

  / @thinksba  - YouTube Channel

Andy, a former San Francisco Police Sergeant Inspector, spent 20 years investigating crimes and uncovering the truth. Now, he uses those same skills to help business owners and investors perform deep due diligence for M&A deals. In this episode, he reveals:

• The biggest red flags that a person or company is not who they claim to be.

• How to spot fake testimonials and fabricated business credentials.

• The psychological reasons buyers ignore glaring warning signs (it's not just greed).

• The real-world sources he uses to investigate executives and businesses.

• Why trusting your gut feeling may save you time and money.

Learn how to protect yourself from costly mistakes by seeing the world through the eyes of a detective.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanpatryck

Key Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

0:50 - Career Pivot

2:15 - Detective Skills

3:10 - Changed Perspective

4:15 - Daily Routine

6:10 - Retirement Decision

7:45 - Becoming a PI

9:30 - Company Introduction

11:15 - Investigation Sources

13:00 - Red Flags

15:45 - Client Reactions

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1v-z-ZlTQ4FuSfq8GRuV9jJY3dd5vw9p&si=04XGGOYICU8pngKN⁠

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

http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel

Want to stop renting and own the building your business operates in? In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, Kalen Foster shares how to use the SBA 7(a) loan to buy owner-occupied commercial real estate with as little as 10% down. Learn the key differences between SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, how rent replacement works, and what lenders look for when approving real estate purchases. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or expanding to a second location, this episode offers expert guidance to help you control your future through property ownership.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ryanpatryck

Key Chapters:

0:00 – Podcast Introduction

0:13 – Owning vs. Renting

2:55 – SBA Rent Replacement

4:34 – Variable vs. Fixed Rates

6:00 – Low Down Payments

7:12 – Business + Real Estate

10:58 – 7(a) Loan Features

12:42 – 7(a) vs. 504 Loans

17:23 – Appraisals & Compliance

23:42 – Expanding Your Business

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1v-z-ZlTQ4FuSfq8GRuV9jJY3dd5vw9p&si=04XGGOYICU8pngKN⁠

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

http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel

Thinking about buying a business? This episode of the MySBA Loan Pro Podcast features Kalen Foster, a leading expert in SBA business acquisition financing. Discover how SBA 7(a) financing works for acquisition entrepreneurs and self-funded searchers looking to close deals with confidence. Kalen breaks down the SBA loan process, lender expectations, and keys qualifying for an SBA 7(a) loan. Learn how to structure your deal, avoid common financing mistakes, and stand out to lenders. Whether you're just starting your acquisition journey or deep in due diligence, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you secure the SBA loan you need to buy a business.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: ⁠  / mysbapro  ⁠

Twitter: ⁠  / mysbapro  ⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠  / ryanpatryck  

 Key Chapters:

0:00 - Podcast Introduction

1:09 - Banking Transition

2:02 - Math Matters

3:02 - Ideal Buyer Traits

7:26 - Zero Down Myth

16:32 - Industry Focus

20:51 - Seller’s Role

23:00 - Tax Truths

26:05 - Underwriting Advantage

29:17 - Underwriter Etiquette

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist⁠   ⁠

⁠• 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   / @thinksba  ⁠

• YouTube Channel

Don Curristan, an executive benefits expert with 27+ years of experience, reveals how business owners and CEOs use deferred compensation, SERPs, and phantom stock to retain key employees.

Learn:

- The surprising tax advantages of deferred comp plansHow performance-based incentives work without equity

-Common mistakes companies make with executive benefits

- Why proper plan design makes all the difference

- Perfect for business owners, HR professionals, and financial advisors looking for advanced compensation strategies.

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram:   / mysbapro  

Twitter:   / mysbapro  

LinkedIn:   / ryanpatryck  

Key Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

0:50 - Career Background

2:15 - Who Needs These Plans?

4:45 - Deferred Compensation Explained

6:30 - Tax Benefits

8:10 - SERPs Overview

10:25 - Phantom Stock Case Study

12:40 - Implementation Process

14:55 - Common Mistakes

16:20 - DIY vs Professional Help

18:00 - Closing Thoughts

More Subject Matter Experts Playlist   

• 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   / @thinksba  

• YouTube Channel