
Hosted by Ty Crandall · EN

Tim Mages is the CEO of ECG, expansion capital group, where he helps businesses secure customized financing solutions to support growth, operations, and long-term success. With extensive experience in commercial finance and equipment leasing, Tim works closely with companies across a variety of industries to structure funding solutions tailored to their specific needs. Under his leadership, ECG has built a strong reputation for providing flexible financing options and helping businesses navigate complex funding challenges efficiently. Tim brings a practical and relationship-driven perspective to business lending, capital access, and strategic financing. Tim's perspective would be especially valuable for conversations around commercial finance, equipment leasing, business growth strategies, and how companies can better position themselves to access capital in today's market. During the show we discuss: Why traditional banks reject so many small business owners (and what they're really looking for) How alternative lenders evaluate risk differently—and why that opens more doors The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when trying to secure funding How to position your business to get approved faster and for higher amounts Why speed and flexibility in funding can be a competitive advantage The truth about merchant cash advances, equipment financing, and other options—what's legit and what's misunderstood How lenders think about cash flow vs. credit scores What it really takes to scale using capital without putting your business at risk Resources: Website: https://www.ecg.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-m-1647775/

Many business owners spend years chasing revenue (building six, seven, even eight figure businesses) only to discover that building a successful business doesn't automatically create wealth. In today's conversation, we'll explore the difference between becoming funding-ready and becoming truly wealth-ready, the financial habits that keep business owner's stuck, and how we can use proper structure, capital, and financial discipline to create long-term success AND generational wealth. Today's guest Katrina Fitten, is the CEO and Chief Financial Officer of New Day for You Financial and a Certified Master Financial Coach. She is answering the question many need answered which is, "what to do after you get access to money to begin to build generational wealth, and bringing a unique perspective to this, after experiencing significant financial hardship and then transforming her own financial future. She's equipping "womanpreneurs" with the systems, education, and funding strategies needed to structure their businesses properly, improve financial credibility, and access capital with confidence. Through her coaching and Business Structure Blueprint, she helps clients move from struggling with cash flow to building scalable, sustainable businesses and wealth. Her mission is to ensure women stop relying on personal funds to run their businesses and instead become financially prepared, funding-ready, and positioned for long-term success and wealth creation. During the show we discuss: Why most entrepreneurs get denied funding—and how to fix it before applying How personal finances impact business funding approvals more than you think The key financial foundations every business needs before scaling How to structure your business properly to become fundable Why financial discipline and organization drive long-term success Common mistakes entrepreneurs make with money that hurt their growth How to prepare for funding the right way instead of rushing into it How to build confidence around money and financial decision-making Resources: https://www.newdayforyoufinancial.com/

Have you ever thought about raising capital for your business? Many entrepreneurs assume that raising capital means giving up equity, taking on restrictive debt, or waiting until they're much larger to access meaningful funding. But today's financing landscape offers more options than ever for growth-focused companies looking to scale without sacrificing ownership. Today we're going to talk about thinking strategically about financing, when debt makes more sense than equity, common mistakes often made when raising capital, and what it takes to build a business that's truly ready for growth. Joining us is Michael Wallace, CEO of TIMIA Capital, who specializes in helping technology companies access non-dilutive growth capital designed to support expansion while preserving flexibility. Michael has deep expertise across lending and tech and works closely with entrepreneurs and investment partners to design financing strategies that prioritize scalability and flexibility. Prior to joining TIMIA in 2024, Michael served as President of Torinit and CEO of FindWRK, a recruiting marketplace startup. He also played a pivotal role at Langhaus Financial, joining as its first executive hire and helping scale it into Canada's largest alternative life insurance lender before its successful sale in 2022. Michael began his career in management consulting at Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University, bringing a strong foundation of strategic and operational leadership to every venture he leads. During the show we discuss: Why giving up equity isn't always necessary to raise meaningful capital When debt is actually the smarter option for growth-focused businesses How non-dilutive financing works and why it's gaining popularity What makes a business "fundable" in today's lending environment Common capital-raising mistakes that cost founders time, money, and ownership How to think strategically about financing instead of reacting when you need cash Why lenders vs. investors look for different things—and how to position for both How to scale while maintaining control and flexibility Resources: https://timiacapital.com/

Brock Blake is the CEO and co-founder of Lendio, the nation's leading small business finance solutions provider, dedicated to making access to capital faster, simpler, and more transparent for entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, Lendio has helped small business owners secure more than $16 billion in funding, empowering growth and opportunity across industries. An Inc. 500 CEO, national keynote speaker, and Forbes contributor, Brock is widely recognized for his impact on the fintech and small business landscape, including being named Utah's Emerging Executive of the Year. Beyond business success, he is deeply committed to building a strong, values-driven company culture rooted in humility, performance, and service. Through Lendio Gives, Brock has championed global impact—helping provide microloans to underserved entrepreneurs worldwide via Kiva for every loan facilitated on the platform. During the show we discuss: Why most small businesses struggle to get funding—and how to overcome those barriers How lending marketplaces work and why they're changing the game for entrepreneurs What lenders actually look for when approving funding (and how to position yourself) How to match your business with the right type of financing instead of taking the wrong capital The biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to secure funding How Brock scaled Lendio into a market leader in small business lending Why access to capital is a growth strategy—not just a safety net How to simplify the funding process and avoid wasting time with the wrong lenders Resources: https://www.lendio.com/company

Sharon Vornholt is a seasoned real estate investor, marketing strategist, and nationally recognized probate investing expert with nearly three decades of experience in the industry. Since 1998, she has built a reputation for helping investors and agents generate consistent, high-quality leads—particularly through probate and direct mail marketing strategies. As a real estate and business coach, Sharon specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to create effective marketing plans, attract motivated sellers, and stand out through powerful personal branding. She is the creator of the Louisville Gals Real Estate Blog, where she shares actionable insights, training, and resources for investors at every level. Sharon is also an accomplished author, podcaster, and educator, hosting the popular "Let's Talk Real Estate Investing" podcast. Through her content, coaching, and speaking, she empowers real estate professionals to build scalable, profitable businesses with confidence. During the show we discuss: Why probate investing is a hidden goldmine most investors overlook—and how less competition creates better deals How to consistently generate high-quality leads using probate data and direct mail marketing The exact mindset shift needed to approach probate deals with empathy (and still close profitably) How to build a scalable marketing system that brings in deals month after month Why branding and positioning matter even in real estate investing (and how to stand out) How to turn one niche strategy into a full business model instead of chasing random deals Common mistakes investors make when entering probate—and how to avoid them How Sharon built longevity in the industry by focusing on systems, not just transactions Resources: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonvornholt/ https://louisvillegalsrealestateblog.com/

Nicole Scott is a credit and business coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Credit Coach Pros, recognized for helping individuals and entrepreneurs leverage personal and business credit to build wealth and access funding. After overcoming her own financial challenges—starting with a credit score in the 400s—she rebuilt her profile and turned that experience into a thriving coaching business. With over 15 years of experience in business development and operations, Nicole has helped thousands improve their credit, secure funding, and launch or scale businesses. Through her platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, she delivers practical education on credit repair, tradelines, and entrepreneurship, while mentoring aspiring credit professionals. Her mission is to simplify credit and empower others with the tools, strategies, and confidence to achieve long-term financial independence. During the show we discuss: How to improve your credit profile the right way (not just quick fixes) Why your credit is one of your most powerful wealth-building tools How to leverage personal credit to access funding and opportunities The biggest mistakes that keep people stuck with poor or stagnant credit How to turn credit into a tool for scaling your business and finances What it takes to build a strong, fundable credit profile long-term How to align your credit strategy with financial growth goals The mindset shift needed to use credit strategically—not emotionally Resources: https://linktr.ee/creditcoachnicolescott

Joseph is a seasoned real estate investor and mentor. Through Real Estate Mentoring USA, he helps aspiring and experienced investors learn creative real estate strategies, lead generation systems, and transaction structuring techniques designed to build long-term wealth. Over the course of his career, Joseph and his family have been involved in the development, construction, ownership, and management of more than 10,000 homes, shopping centers, and apartment units across multiple states. He specializes in creative financing strategies including wholesaling, lease options, subject-to deals, and fix-and-flip investing. Since 2010, Joseph has mentored thousands of real estate investors through hands-on coaching and training programs focused on helping students generate profitable deals and scale their investing businesses. Joseph's perspective would be especially valuable for conversations around creative real estate investing, alternative financing strategies, wholesaling, lead generation, and building wealth through real estate. During the show we discuss: How to get started in real estate without massive upfront capital Creative strategies to structure deals with minimal money out of pocket Why traditional financing isn't the only path—and how to work around it How to find opportunities and turn them into profitable deals The role of leverage in scaling a real estate portfolio faster How to partner strategically to close bigger and better deals Common mistakes new investors make—and how to avoid costly setbacks How to think like an investor and spot deals others miss You can explore more about Joseph here: Website: https://www.realestatementoringusa.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-bodek-61743032/

Jentri Smith is the Senior Vice President and SBA Lending Manager at Amegy Bank of Texas, where she leads the strategy and execution of the bank's Small Business Administration (SBA) lending initiatives. In this role, she partners with lending teams across the organization to expand access to capital for small businesses while strengthening the bank's presence as a top SBA lender in Texas. With more than 17 years of experience in SBA, commercial, and business lending, Jentri brings deep industry knowledge and a proven ability to help businesses grow. She has held leadership and relationship management roles at institutions including Wells Fargo, Community Certified Development Corporation, and Comerica Incorporated. Jentri earned her MBA from Prairie View A&M University and a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M University. She is also passionate about giving back, volunteering with Junior Achievement to support financial literacy and youth development. During the show we discuss: What banks actually look for when approving SBA loans Why strong deals still get declined—and how to fix those gaps How to position yourself as a low-risk, high-confidence borrower The key components of a deal that gets fast-tracked vs. stalled How SBA lenders evaluate cash flow, projections, and business health Insider strategies to increase approval odds before you apply The biggest mistakes borrowers make that kill deals early How to align your application with what decision-makers really want Resources: https://www.amegybank.com/

Alan Peterson is a nationally recognized, top-producing SBA lender specializing in business acquisitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate financing. He brings over a decade of experience with a strategic, relationship-first approach to every deal. He's a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, offering insight on both the buy-side and sell-side and is guiding his clients from pre-qualification through closing and beyond. He works with entrepreneurs, operators, business brokers, and CPAs nationwide, with a focus on manufacturing and home-services businesses. Known for prioritizing the right deal over just getting a deal done, Alan has built long-term partnerships rooted in trust and execution. Based in Tampa, Florida, he is also a founding board member of Fostering Hearts and a dedicated husband and father." During the show we discuss: Why buying a business can be faster and less risky than starting one How SBA loans actually work for acquisitions, buyouts, and real estate What lenders look for when evaluating deal strength and borrower eligibility How to structure acquisition deals with little money out of pocket The key mistakes that kill SBA deals before they get approved How to position yourself as a strong borrower—even without perfect credentials Why exit planning matters and how to build value from day one How to use financing as a tool to scale through ownership, not just effort Resources: https://www.firstib.com/

Reza Rahman is the co-founder and President of Ava, a fintech company focused on transforming how people build and manage credit. After years in Silicon Valley scaling technology companies, Reza shifted his focus to consumer finance, driven by his belief that the current credit system is not designed to serve everyday people. As a first-generation immigrant, Reza built his credit from scratch while navigating student debt and the challenges of securing financing. Through that experience, he saw firsthand how complex and unforgiving the system can be, especially for those without access to the right knowledge or tools. He founded Ava in 2020 to create a more transparent and consumer-first approach to credit building. Today, the platform has helped hundreds of thousands of users improve their credit profiles, reduce interest costs, and build stronger financial foundations. His credit building app raised over $15 million dollars last year and demand continues to grow Reza's work focuses on helping individuals and entrepreneurs take control of their credit, improve their Fundability, and use financial tools to create real leverage and long-term opportunity. During the show we discuss: Why the traditional credit system fails most people—and how to work around it How to build and improve your credit faster using modern tools The role of fintech and AI in changing how credit is tracked and optimized How to turn your credit profile into a powerful funding tool The biggest mistakes people make that keep their credit stuck or declining How to reduce interest costs and strengthen your financial foundation What it takes to become truly funding-ready in today's environment How to use credit strategically to create long-term leverage and opportunity Resources: https://www.meetava.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/rezarahman/