Thaddeus Voss Show

The 2026 Inc. 5000 list just dropped, and Thad and Cam break down what it actually measures (hint: it's not company size). They rank the alternative financing companies that made the cut, explain why a scrappy $2M startup can outrank a $200M player, and call out how confusing "funder" vs. "broker" vs. "fintech" gets even for the list itself. Then they pivot into why your environment — not your talent — determines your paycheck, and what separates the top 1% earners in any sales industry from everyone else.

Thad and Cam dig into what it actually takes to manage yourself like a high performer — not your calendar, your team, or your business, but you. They talk about why pegging your identity to money alone is dangerous, how Thad's two years of nonstop work in New York shaped (and nearly burned out) him, why daydreamers make better visionaries, and why every successful person they know is also a little weird. Plus: the "Scrub Daddy" email mystery, a closet knitter, and a bar bet that proves Cam's social skills need work.

Frankie D'Antonio, founder/CEO of Lexington Capital Holdings, breaks down the "blue ocean" strategy - blending alternative and traditional financing - that landed his company at #668 on the Inc. 5000. He and Thad dig into targeting investment bankers and PE affiliates, building an intense company culture, launching a direct funding arm called Concord, and the eight failed businesses it took to get here.

Thad and Cam break down why hardship is actually your best opportunity — from Cam losing $400K to a Ponzi scheme, to the ancient farmer-and-the-boy parable on staying cognitively flexible, to Cam's wild career detour through warehouse parties and a failed lighting company on his way to social media and Lionheart. They dig into thinking traps, toxic team culture, the PayPal Mafia effect, and why the goal isn't avoiding hardship — it's learning to say "we'll see."

Thad and Cam break down why outbound sales is a skill every business owner needs — even if you're 100% inbound. They cover cold vs. warm leads (explained through a dating analogy that actually works), why personal branding matters more at smaller revenue levels, and how to market your business from zero with no budget. Plus: a live demo of pitching Bluegrass Lending's new asset-backed funding program in one video, the "5 killers" model for scaling a sales team, and a story about sobriety, isolation, and confidence from a conversation with Andy Elliot.

Thad and Cam pull back the curtain on syndication in the merchant cash advance world - what it actually means, how the returns really work, and why it's different from anything you've heard about in real estate or the stock market. They break down real portfolio numbers (performing, slow pay, legal), the "velocity of cash" concept that changes how you should think about recycling your money, and how much of your portfolio should go into any single deal. Thad also shares the story of his very first funded deal - $3,500 that grew into a $1.5 million book - and the risks and lessons that came with it. If you're a broker, ISO, or investor curious about syndicating in MCA, this one's for you.

Thad and Cam break down On Deck and Anova's massive $1.6 billion Q2 in originations - what it means for the broker business model, whether direct funders are making brokers obsolete, and the real story behind On Deck's COVID-era fire sale. Then they shift into mindset mode, using success rate stats from Frank Sinatra, Babe Ruth, and Pablo Picasso to make the case for why "intentional reps" beat talent every time, and why your 20s are the time to take the risk. A must-listen for brokers and funders trying to figure out where this industry is really headed.

Thad and Cam dig into one of the most common (and misunderstood) requests in alternative financing: can two funding positions be rolled into one longer-term deal? They break down how Lionheart underwrites renewals vs. first-time funds, why SBA and asset-backed lending are often the smarter refinance route, and why the brokers who play the long game - sometimes taking zero points to get their client a better rate - end up winning the most business over time.

Thad and Cam unpack why a competitor funder's new app and free master class is really a marketing move, why brand faces (Apple, Mr. Beast, Elon) win more attention than features ever will, and the messy history of affiliate/MLM funding models like Fundbox - plus how PayPal, Amex, and Intuit are muscling brokers out with cheap, direct-to-consumer capital. They also get into why MCA funding is a race to the bottom while fitness brands charge a premium, and Thad's theory on the platform that could wipe brokers out for good.

Thad and Cam dig into the biggest acquisition news in alternative finance — InterVest Capital Partners buying Kapitus — and break down what it actually means for funders and brokers. They cover the deal mechanics (Guggenheim Securities, pension fund money, SEC structuring), debate who carries more risk in this business, and unpack why owning your leads, sales process, and capital is the only way to build something truly sellable. Plus: the Money Mutual/Scott Tucker cautionary tale and the fine print in funder contracts every broker needs to read before submitting another deal.