My SBA Loan Pro Podcast

From W-2 Employee to Business Owner: How She 10X’d Her Insurance Agency

What does it really take to leave a W-2 job, start your own business, and build a company that grows beyond you?

In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, Ryan Smith sits down with Stephanie Petrickova, Principal and Founder of SSA Insurance, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, commercial real estate, and the mindset required to take the leap from employee to business owner.

Stephanie shares the story of how she went from working at a financial planning firm to launching her own benefits agency—and how she eventually grew the business by more than 10X.

We also dive into one of the biggest decisions she made as a business owner: buying a commercial building instead of leasing one.

▶️In this episode, we discuss:

• How Stephanie transitioned from a W-2 employee to business owner
• The risks and fears involved in starting a business
• How she prepared for six months before making the leap
• Building and growing an insurance and employee benefits agency
• How her business grew more than 10X
• Leadership, confidence, and overcoming self-doubt
• Why getting outside your comfort zone matters in business
• How to build a strong company culture
• Managing time as a growing business owner
• Delegation and hiring an executive assistant
• Building a community of fellow business owners
• Why Stephanie chose to buy commercial real estate instead of leasing
• How owning a commercial building changed her company culture
• Using commercial real estate as part of your business strategy
• Community events, networking, and business development
• Moving from working “in” the business to working “on” the business
• Advice for W-2 employees who want to become entrepreneurs

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

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

What if your 401(k) or IRA could do more than invest in traditional stocks and mutual funds?

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Davis, founder of Independent IRA, to explore the world of **self-directed IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, real estate investing, private companies, alternative investments, and retirement wealth building**.

▶️Timestamp:
➡️00:00 The Retirement Mindset Shift
➡️02:27 Meet Brian Davis
➡️02:47 From Mortgage Lending to Independent IRA
➡️05:40 What Is a Self-Directed IRA?
➡️08:39 Can You Move Your 401(k)?
➡️10:54 How Alternative Investments Work
➡️11:15 Trust Deed Investing Explained
➡️13:14 Where Investors Are Putting Money Today
➡️15:48 Biggest Investment Wins & Losses
➡️18:33 Tax Benefits of Self-Directed IRAs
➡️20:28 Crypto, Private Equity & Precious Metals
➡️21:42 The Risks of Alternative Investing
➡️25:57 Solo 401(k) Explained
➡️27:43 Why Solo 401(k)s Have More Flexibility
➡️30:29 Borrowing From Your Own 401(k)
➡️33:24 What Happens to Old 401(k)s?
➡️36:05 Who Should Consider a Self-Directed IRA?
➡️39:03 The Future of Real Estate Investing
➡️43:16 Final Advice for Business Owners
➡️45:09 Outro

Brian explains how investors can potentially use retirement accounts to access alternative assets such as:

• Real estate
• Private equity and private companies
• Trust deeds and real estate notes
• Cryptocurrency
• Private funds
• Precious metals
• Alternative investments

We also discuss the difference between traditional retirement accounts and self-directed accounts, when old 401(k)s can be rolled into an IRA, Solo 401(k) options for self-employed business owners, and the risks that come with alternative investing.

Most importantly, this conversation is about understanding your options and knowing what you're investing in—not simply chasing the next big opportunity.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

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

Commercial real estate attorney Kevin Simonsen explains the legal mistakes that can cost business owners and real estate investors hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions.

In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, Ryan sits down with Kevin Simson to discuss the legal side of commercial real estate, including commercial leases, purchase agreements, negotiations, due diligence, and common mistakes business owners and real estate investors should avoid.

Kevin brings nearly two decades of experience in sophisticated commercial real estate transactions, including leases, acquisitions, development, construction, and financing.

In This Episode:

• Why commercial real estate is different from residential real estate
• Why you should involve a real estate attorney before signing an LOI
• What a retrade is and how it can affect a deal
• Commercial lease negotiation strategies
• Common commercial real estate contract mistakes
• Why due diligence matters before buying a commercial property
• How unclear lease terms can create massive unexpected costs
• The difference between a commercial real estate broker and attorney
• How one property owner faced foreclosure after years of unpaid property taxes
• Why liability protection and proper entity structure matter
• What buyers and tenants should negotiate in commercial real estate deals
• Insights into the San Diego life science and biotech real estate market

If you're a business owner, commercial property investor, landlord, tenant, or entrepreneur considering a commercial real estate transaction, this episode will help you understand the risks before you sign.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

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

Can you really trust your financial advisor?

For more than 35 years, investor rights attorney Mark Brewer has helped people recover millions lost to broker misconduct, investment fraud, financial elder abuse, unsuitable investments, and retirement account mismanagement.

In this conversation with United Stage, Mark explains how investors unknowingly lose their retirement savings, why reading your account statements matters, how brokers earn hidden commissions, and what warning signs every investor should know before trusting a financial advisor.

You'll also learn:

• How investment fraud really happens
• Why some brokers prioritize commissions over clients
• The difference between brokers and fiduciary advisors
• How retirees become targets of financial abuse
• The dangers of excessive trading (churning)
• Why unsuitable investments destroy retirement accounts
• AI scams and crypto investment fraud
• How to protect yourself and your family from financial exploitation

Whether you're investing for retirement, helping aging parents manage their finances, or simply trying to make smarter financial decisions, this conversation offers practical advice that could help you avoid costly mistakes.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith
👨‍⚖️ Featuring Investor Rights Attorney Mark Brewer

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

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

Before making any move, watch this conversation with Juan Felipe Sanchez, Principal Attorney and Partner at Mexico Business Lawyers.

In this episode, we discuss:

✅ Starting a business in Mexico
✅ Legal requirements for foreign investors
✅ Buying real estate in Mexico
✅ Manufacturing opportunities
✅ Cross-border business strategy
✅ Hiring employees in Mexico
✅ Mexican labor laws
✅ Best places to invest
✅ Tijuana vs Monterrey vs Cabo
✅ Mexico business culture
✅ US companies expanding into Mexico
✅ Real estate investment opportunities
✅ Todos Santos, La Paz & Baja California
✅ Best restaurants in Mexico

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, business owner, or someone considering expanding internationally, this episode provides valuable insights on how to successfully do business in Mexico.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith
👨‍⚖️ Featuring Mexico Business Attorney Juan Felipe Sanchez

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

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

Guest:
Juan Felipe Sanchez
Principal Attorney
Mexico Business Lawyers

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

After nearly 20 years in banking and financing hundreds of business acquisitions, I finally became the buyer.

In this episode of My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, I share the complete story of buying my first business—a profitable trampoline park—and the lessons I learned before, during, and after the acquisition.

▶️We discuss:

➡️Why I chose to buy an existing business instead of starting one
➡️How I evaluated cash flow and risk before making an offer
➡️What I discovered during due diligence
➡️The financing structure and negotiations behind the deal
➡️The biggest surprises after taking ownership
➡️Why cleaning up the business didn't automatically increase profits
➡️Cash flow, taxes, and wealth-building strategies every buyer should understand
➡️My advice for first-time business buyers and entrepreneurs
➡️Why I'm already searching for my next acquisition

Whether you're considering buying a business, exploring SBA financing, or interested in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), this episode offers practical insights from someone who has been on both sides of the table—as a banker and now as a business owner.

If you're serious about business acquisitions, SBA loans, and building long-term wealth through entrepreneurship, make sure to subscribe for more episodes.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith

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

99% of people make this one mistake—and it quietly holds them back from success.

In this podcast episode, we explore why most people struggle to stand out, the mindset shifts that separate successful individuals from everyone else, and the common mistakes that limit career and business growth.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, professional, or someone looking to improve your career, this conversation offers practical insights you can apply immediately.

✅In this episode, you'll learn:

➡️Why most people fail to stand out
➡️The biggest career and business mistakes
➡️How successful people think differently
➡️Practical strategies for long-term success
➡️Actionable advice you can use today

▶️Timestamps:

00:00 Why You Can't Be Good at Everything
00:20 Find Your Unique Strength
00:52 Meet Melissa – Real Estate Success Story
01:31 Learning Sales Through Cold Calling
03:11 How She Got Into Real Estate
03:35 The Cold Call That Changed Her Life
04:58 The Power of Work Ethic
06:31 Building a Top Real Estate Career
07:09 Finding a Profitable Niche
08:26 Adapting to Market Changes
09:52 Becoming the Official Padres Real Estate Agent
12:15 Giving Back to the Community
15:12 Awards & National Recognition
18:11 Why Real Estate Is More Than a Career
19:54 How She Serves Busy Business Owners
23:44 Why You Must Stand Out
24:11 Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Home?
26:10 Smart Home Buying Strategy
29:34 Advice for Entrepreneurs
30:15 Find What Makes You Different
33:20 Success Comes From Hard Work
34:06 Why Professionalism Still Matters
36:04 Will AI Replace Real Estate Agents?
37:46 Final Thoughts

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

Are you a business owner, entrepreneur, or high-net-worth family looking to protect your assets and avoid probate? In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, estate planning attorney Rodney Hatley breaks down everything you need to know about living trusts, irrevocable trusts, asset protection strategies, probate, estate taxes, healthcare directives, and wealth preservation.

Learn how successful business owners structure their companies and trusts to safeguard wealth, minimize taxes, and create long-term financial security for their families. Rod also shares practical strategies for protecting inherited assets from lawsuits, creditors, and divorce settlements.

▶️In This Episode:
➡️Living Trust vs Irrevocable Trust explained
➡️How to avoid probate court
➡️Asset protection strategies for entrepreneurs
➡️LLCs, S Corporations & business structuring
➡️Estate tax planning for wealthy families
➡️Protecting family wealth across generations
➡️Healthcare directives & powers of attorney
➡️How adult children can help aging parents plan their estate
➡️Why funding your trust is critical
➡️Trust planning mistakes business owners make

Whether you're a startup founder, real estate investor, small business owner, or simply planning for your family’s future, this episode delivers valuable estate planning insights every American family should understand.

Key Chapters: 

00:00 – Intro & Why Estate Planning Matters
01:08 – Rod Hatley’s Background & Navy JAG Experience
04:52 – How Probate Works & Why It Can Take Years
08:12 – Living Trusts Explained for Business Owners
10:28 – Revocable vs Irrevocable Trusts
14:35 – How Wealthy Families Use Trusts to Protect Assets
18:22 – Can You Put Your Home in an Irrevocable Trust?
23:40 – How Business Owners Protect Their Companies & Wealth
27:05 – Asset Protection Strategies for Entrepreneurs
30:15 – Protecting Family Wealth From Lawsuits & Divorce
34:42 – Estate Planning for Children & Future Generations
39:18 – Healthcare Directives & Power of Attorney Explained
45:10 – Why Funding Your Trust Is Critical
49:20 – LLCs, S Corporations & Avoiding Probate 
53:08 – Best States for Asset Protection (Wyoming & Nevada) 
57:12 – Estate Taxes & High-Net-Worth Planning 
01:01:35 – How to Talk to Aging Parents About Estate Planning 
01:07:02 – Preventing Family Conflict & Inheritance Disputes 
01:11:44 – Final Estate Planning Advice for Families & Business Owners

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, host Ryan Smith is back in the studio with Kalen Foster to break down a complex pari passu transaction that took over two years to get across the finish line. They pull back the curtain on what happens behind the scenes of complex SBA deals and show how expert-level knowledge of the guidelines can turn a highly challenging file into a successful closing.

This specific deal involved borrowers operating a daycare and a Montessori school who were looking to acquire a new business and real estate while also refinancing existing high-interest debt. Because the transaction exceeded the $5 million SBA aggregate limit, the lending team had to employ advanced structuring to make the numbers work.

Key Takeaways from this Episode:

• Structuring Large Transactions: How the team managed an $8 to $9 million deal using a pari passu structure alongside the SBA loan.
• Navigating SBA SOPs: Why deeply understanding the SBA Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) is critical, and why lenders must meticulously interpret the rules to ensure eligibility.
• Overcoming Setbacks: How the team navigated changing SBA rules over the two-year timeline, including evolving affiliation rules and guarantee requirements for owners.
• Creative Problem Solving: How the team utilized different NAICS codes between the daycare and Montessori businesses to separate lending buckets and maximize funding.

Key Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: The Two-Year Pari Passu Deal
01:31 - Client Background & Deal Needs
02:34 - Deal Complexity & Borrower Sophistication
04:44 - Keeping the Deal Alive Through Setbacks
07:23 - Initial Structuring & Real Estate Hurdles
10:20 - Utilizing NAICS Codes for Separate $5M Limits
12:23 - Navigating SBA Ownership & Guarantee Rules
14:55 - Securing the SBA eTRAN Approval
17:03 - The Importance of Bank & Banker Expertise
20:01 - Winning the Deal with Structure & Servicing
22:36 - Becoming a Student of the SBA SOP
24:55 - Adapting to Changing SBA Rules Over Time

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

How do you expand a successful business and buy commercial real estate when the project exceeds the $5 Million SBA loan limit—and you want to do it with 100% financing?

In this clip, Kalen Foster breaks down a real-world scenario of a Southern California family entertainment business looking to duplicate its success in a new location. We dive deep into the SBA rules that make this possible and how to structure a winning deal.

🔑 In this video, you'll learn:
• The 10% Rule: The critical difference between a "Change of Ownership" (which requires a 10% equity injection) and a "Business Expansion" (which can technically be done with 0% down).
• Exceeding the $5M Limit: How to use a pari-passu loan structure to fund projects that go beyond the standard SBA maximum limit.
• What Lenders Look For: Why strong historical cash flow, low debt, and proven operational success are the true keys to securing a zero-equity expansion loan.
• The Vetting Process: How top institutions evaluate high-growth projects to ensure stability and success for both the business and the bank.

If you are a business owner looking to scale, buy commercial real estate, or understand your complex financing options, this breakdown is for you!

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

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