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A practical path to business ownership. Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson sit down with Brenda Gage, a pilot spouse who turned a long-time goal of business ownership into a growing café portfolio. Brenda shares how she found established, cash-flowing businesses, evaluated opportunities on BizBuySell, used SBA financing, and pushed through lender rejections. She also explains why culture, employee retention, and a respectful seller transition matter just as much as the numbers. This episode offers a grounded look at acquiring a business beyond franchises or real estate.

Brenda Gage is the owner of a growing chain of Washington cafés and Larson’s Bakery. Married to an Alaska Airlines pilot, she built a flexible career around family life before acquiring eight cafés through SBA financing. In three years, she helped grow annual revenue from approximately $16.7 million to $21 million. Brenda shares practical insights on finding established businesses, securing the right lending partner, leading employees through ownership transitions, and preserving the legacy of family-owned companies.

Show notes:

(0:00) Passive Income Pilots Conference announcement: https://www.passiveincomepilots.com/pip-conference

(4:44) Brenda’s path to business ownership

(7:36) Finding cash-flowing businesses online

(9:25) Growing the café business

(13:47) How BizBuySell works

(17:57) Criteria for legacy businesses

(21:57) Leading without industry expertise

(26:53) Funding an acquisition with SBA loans

(33:22) Finding the right SBA lender

(41:25) How a business purchase closes

(43:36) Leading staff through ownership change

(49:36) Outro

Connect with Brenda Gage:

Website: https://www.cafesinc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-gage-12796592/

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*Legal Disclaimer*

The content of this podcast is provided solely for educational and informational purposes. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts, Tait Duryea and Ryan Gibson, and do not reflect those of any organization they are associated with, including Turbine Capital or Spartan Investment Group. The opinions of our guests are their own and should not be construed as financial advice. This podcast does not offer tax, legal, or investment advice. Listeners are advised to consult with their own legal or financial counsel and to conduct their own due diligence before making any financial decisions.