SMB Factor Podcast

SMB Factor Podcast

By KapworkBusinessEntrepreneurship
Download on the App Store

SMB Factor Podcast episodes

  • Why asset-based lending is the secret weapon for growing SMBs.

    Michael Richardson is a self-described "ABL nerd" who has spent 13 years falling in love with the operational side of finance. Now building a new practice at Salem Five, he is on a mission to prove that Asset-Based Lending (ABL) is not a "dirty word" but a strategic tool for healthy, growing companies.


    In this deep-dive conversation, we discuss:

    Asset vs. Cash Flow: Why lending against your AR and inventory offers more flexibility than traditional term loans.

    The "Boots on the Ground" Reality: What actually happens during a field exam and why physical audits (even checking for dust on pallets) protect both the bank and the borrower.

    Right-Sizing Your Relationship: How to tell if your company has outgrown its current bank and how to unlock deeper liquidity from your collateral.

    The Future of ABL: Why industries like Healthcare and SaaS are the next frontier for asset-based financing.

    War Stories from the Field: A cautionary tale of how "guaranteed sales" and high returns can kill a deal.

    Learn more about ABL and Salem Five: https://www.salemfive.com/


    Powered by Kapwork.

    1 hr 5 min
  • How Mariana is scaling Branddu despite bad payers, high costs, and zero bank loans.

    Mariana co-founded Branddu after her family went bankrupt. Today, she runs a growing B2B company with repeat clients, VC backing, and months of profitability, despite a brutal payment cycle and limited access to capital.

    In this candid conversation, we talk about:

    • The real cost of working capital for SMBs in Latin America
    • How large corporations delay payments and threaten startup survival
    • Smart strategies Mariana uses to manage cash flow (including factoring and supplier negotiation)
      The emotional toll of building a business and why passion can both drive and drain you
    • How to price your product when you’re financing the sale yourself

    • A must-watch for startup founders, especially those selling to large enterprises.

    Learn more about Branddu: https://branddu.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooOvddx4sqrhRgGH_5bhsr-1s6tnJUDYKIbqXvIShKOn_NgYhGq

    Powered by Kapwork.

    34 min
  • What SMBs should know before factoring their invoices | with Alex

    Factoring can unlock cash tied up in your receivables—but most small and mid-sized businesses don’t understand how it actually works. In this episode, Alex breaks down the basics and the nuances of factoring, drawing from over 12 years of experience across non-bank lenders.We cover:

    • The difference between recourse and non-recourse factoring,
    • How factoring compares to a line of credit,
    • Common misconceptions (and hidden fees) to watch out for,
    • What happens if your customer won’t pay a factor directly,
    • How to prepare for underwriting and negotiate better terms,

    Alex also shares a case where a $5M line was pulled by a bank, and factoring kept the business alive long enough to recover and grow again.Powered by Kapwork.

    52 min
  • Why banks stopped lending and what entrepreneurs can do about it | with Shalako Wiener.

    Shalako has sat on both sides of the table: as a banker and as a founder. In this episode, he breaks down how traditional banks became transactional, why fintechs aren’t the complete solution, and how entrepreneurs can build smarter financial strategies from day one. We discuss:

    • The evolution from traditional to complementary finance.
    • How to fix your cash conversion cycle without breaking your business.
    • What relationship banking used to be and why it still matters.
    • The rise of fractional CFOs and when to bring one in.
    • Practical examples of liquidity tools that go beyond theory.

    This is an essential conversation for founders, CFOs, and anyone working to scale a company with financial discipline and long-term thinking.

    More about Shalako: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shalako-wiener

    Powered by Kapwork.


    1 hr 2 min
  • From Google to bootstrapped founder: how Martin scaled without VC money

    In this episode, Martin shares his path from leading global marketing for Flutter at Google to founding SendToWin, a lead generation agency built entirely without venture capital.

    We discuss:

    • The rationale behind bootstrapping after previous VC-backed ventures
    • Strategic cash flow management and client diversification
    • Pricing, payment terms, and reducing early churn
    • Critical turning points, including technical failures and contract dilemmas
    • The impact of hiring a CFO and structuring for sustainable growth

    A rigorous conversation about building operational resilience, making difficult financial decisions, and scaling with discipline.

    Learn more about SendToWin: https://sendtowin.com/

    Powered by Kapwork.

    35 min
  • How David runs five businesses (and still shows up to his day job)

    David runs five side projects, has a full-time job, and still finds time to build Funny Pun, a parody t-shirt brand born from his curiosity about AI tools. What began as a test evolved into a full e-commerce business, complete with custom production and a sharp sense of humor.

    In this episode:

    • The tech stack behind Funny Pun: from Midjourney to DTF printing
    • Lessons on IP, fair use, and building a brand in a risky niche
    • Why he burned money on ads—and what worked better
    • How a simple idea system and 20 minutes a day shaped his business
    • The value of staying curious, scrappy, and creative with your time

    • When faced with paying $800 per design to clear fair use claims, or $5,000 for a lawyer on retainer, David did the math—and built his own print shop instead.

    Explore Funny Pun: funnypun.com | dripjunior.com

    Powered by Kapwork.


    37 min

About SMB Factor Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Real stories of grit, growth, and getting paid.