Welcome back to The BDO Show—where business plans get built in a flash, and even an unexpected front-door visitor can't stop the flow of expert insights!

This week, we're pulling back the curtain on the world of business plans and feasibility studies with our special guest, Bethany McClellan, founder of Rapid Business Plans. Joined by hosts Emily Detor, Ryan Kroge, and Alan Peterson (back from hiatus and a "Robbery on Camera" scare ), we dive into why these documents are more than just a box to check.

If you're a BDO, lender, or borrower, you won't want to miss this rapid-fire discussion on:

🔹 The surprising non-finance background that launched a business plan empire

🔹 Why a well-crafted business plan is your accountability partner (and not just a one-and-done deal)

🔹 How a "borderline" deal can be saved with the right feasibility study

🔹 The critical difference between a human-crafted plan and a ChatGPT special (and why your credit manager will know the difference)

🔹 Why "rapid" isn't just a catchy name – it's a 4-business-day promise (with US-based talent across all time zones!)

🔹 Real-world examples of how a quick pivot on projections can make or break a deal (and save you from unnecessary partners)

🔹 The golden rule for new BDOs: Get your providers involved early (don't be "that guy")

Plus, hear Kroge's take on audiobooks versus physical books , Alan's R.L. Stine reading habits , and a shout-out to the legendary Jeannie Yoder!

👉 Got strong feelings about business plans or an AI-generated horror story? Tell us how you really feel in the comments or email us at TheBDOShow@ArtofSBA.com.

📺 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell—because a solid business plan is always a blueprint for success!

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

SBA Protection SBA Protection Quick Close Life Insurance – the fastest, easiest way to secure the insurance protection your borrower needs for their SBA loan. For more information, visit their website

https://sbaprotection.com/ or email Adam Bergen at Adam@SBAProtection.com

ReSquared Finding and engaging small business owners has never been easier. Resquared is the go-to platform for Business Development Officers looking to connect with local business owners—faster and effectively. They help you find the right prospects effortlessly. Schedule a demo today at

http://landing.re2.ai/bdo

This week on The BDO Show, we're cutting through the noise surrounding the SBA's recent notice on search funds and preferred equity. What does the new guidance really mean for acquisition entrepreneurs, investors, and the future of small business acquisitions?

Host Emily Detor is joined by Ray Drew, and special guest Sam Rosati, co-founder of Perimeter Solutions Group and a serial entrepreneur in the acquisition space, to unpack the implications of these changes in real-time.

Sam, a former Wall Street lawyer who built his own portfolio of businesses through acquisition, offers a unique perspective on how the SBA's stance on search funds and preferred equity could reshape the landscape for buying and selling small businesses.

🎯 In this episode, we tackle:

➡️ The true meaning behind the SBA's "search funding" notice and its impact on the acquisition entrepreneurship ecosystem.

➡️ Preferred equity vs. common equity: What's allowed, what's preferred, and why the SBA is scrutinizing investor agreements.

➡️ The controversy around "side agreements" and investor control, and what it means for the guarantor's role.

➡️ The unintended consequences of the new rules on deal flow and access to capital for aspiring entrepreneurs.

➡️ Why the SBA might be missing the real problem, and alternative solutions to address concerns about loan performance and distributions.

💬 Is the SBA's new guidance a necessary correction or an overreaction that could stifle small business acquisitions? Join the debate and let us know your thoughts!

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

Rapid Business Plans

Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders. For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to https://rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba.

Peak Business Valuation

Want to win over your closing team? Peak Business Valuation has put together a free resource just for BDO show listeners, listing out the rule-of-thumb formulas for common industries financed by SBA lenders. Get yours today at peakbizval.com/BDOshow.

Welcome back to The BDO Show—where the grind is real, relationships are everything, and "America's Sweetheart" makes an appearance!

Ever wonder what truly drives top BDOs in a daily grind that can eat you alive? Or how to master the art of managing broker relationships, big and small?

This week, Ryan Kroge and Emily Detor are joined by the one and only Ryan Collins, "America's Sweetheart," to break down the secrets to staying driven, building invaluable connections, and navigating the nuances of working with referral sources.

If you're looking to level up your game, this episode is packed with insights on:

• Motivation & Drive: What keeps elite BDOs climbing to the top day after day.

• The Power of Your Circle: Why surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals is key to success.

• Managing Broker Relationships: Strategies for fostering strong, productive partnerships.

• Big vs. Small Brokers: Tailoring your approach for maximum impact with different types of referral sources.

• Avoiding the "Bad Broker": Red flags to watch out for and how to protect yourself.

• Conferences & Outreach: Leveraging events and LinkedIn to build your network (and what not to do!).

• "How Can I Earn Your Business?": The simple yet powerful philosophy for building trust and deals.

Plus, hear how the best in the business maintain their momentum and make money secondary to their mission.

👉 What keeps you driven in the SBA world? Got a broker success story (or horror story)? Tell us in the comments or email us at TheBDOShow@ArtofSBA.com.

📺 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell—because staying sharp is always a good investment.

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

Rapid Business Plans

Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders. For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to https://rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba

Peak Business Valuations

Peak Business Valuation has put together a free valuation resource for The BDO Show listeners that lists out the rule of thumb formulas for some of the most common industries in SBA lending.

Get your free valuation resource today by going to https://peakbusinessvaluation.com/get-your-free-valuation-resource/

Welcome back to The BDO Show—where business valuations meet cold, hard truths, and nobody sells a cash cow (unless the numbers add up).

This week, we're diving deep into the world of business valuations and the often-suspect financials that come with selling a company. Emily Detor and Ryan Kroge are joined by Ryan Hutchins with Peak Business Valuation, a long-time sponsor and an expert who’s also bought multiple businesses himself using SBA loans.

If you're a BDO, buyer, or seller, you won't want to miss this no-holds-barred discussion on:

• Why you should never go 50/50 on a Quality of Earnings (QoE)

• The "new hotness" of QoE reports and how they save deals

• The red flags of "elevated numbers" and why sellers might be inflating their SDE

• The shocking truth: people don't care about lying to the IRS

• What happens when family members are on the payroll (and don't actually work)

• Why nobody sells a true "cash cow"

• The essential info every business owner needs to know before valuing their company

• Why the new SOP changes are actually great for stronger borrowers and better deals

Plus, hear about Kroge's classic boat VIN-swapping discovery and why watching paint dry can actually be entertaining!

👉 Got thoughts on inflated SDEs or shady valuations? Tell us how you really feel in the comments or email us at TheBDOShow@ArtofSBA.com.

📺 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell—because accurate numbers are always in style.

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

SBA Protection SBA Protection Quick Close Life Insurance – the fastest, easiest way to secure the insurance protection your borrower needs for their SBA loan. For more information, visit their website https://sbaprotection.com/ or email Adam Bergen at Adam@SBAProtection.com

ReSquared Finding and engaging small business owners has never been easier. Resquared is the go-to platform for Business Development Officers looking to connect with local business owners—faster and effectively. They help you find the right prospects effortlessly. Schedule a demo today at http://landing.re2.ai/bdo

Welcome back to The BDO Show—where loan closings get real, F reorgs get explained (sort of), and we finally give some love to the legal eagles!

Ever wonder what really happens once a loan hits the closing stage? Or why your attorney is suddenly talking about "F reorgs" like it's the latest dance craze?

This episode, we pull back the curtain on the lender-legal relationship with special guest Scott Oliver of Lewis Kappes. Join Emily Detour, Sterling Birdsong, and Ryan Kroge as they dive into:

• The lifecycle of a loan, from BDO hustle to the closing crunch
• When and how to get your legal team involved (and why earlier is always better)
• How much should a BDO be in the weeds of the closing process
• The mystery of the F reorg—is it genius or just billable hours?
• Attorney superpowers: When a single call can replace 20 frantic emails

Whether you're a BDO, closer, or just love a good SBA story, this episode is packed with insights and laughs!

👉 Got any legal horror stories or attorney shout-outs? Share them in the comments or email us at TheBDOShow@ArtofSBA.com.

📺 Like, subscribe, and remember: when in doubt, call your lawyer (and maybe hit the gym).

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

Rapid Business Plans | Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders.

For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to https://rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba

Peak Business Valuations | Peak Business Valuation has put together a free valuation resource for The BDO Show listeners that lists out the rule of thumb formulas for some of the most common industries in SBA lending. Get your free valuation resource today by going to https://peakbusinessvaluation.com/get-your-free-valuation-resource/

Welcome back to The BDO Show—where SOPs change faster than a Tampa street scene and SBA rumors become reality. 🌊

📢 In this episode, we break down the brand new SBA SOP—what's changing, who's winning, who's losing, and how the industry is reacting.

Chris Hackney, Sterling Birdsong, and Emily Detor (with a surprise Ray Drew appearance) unpack:
🔹 Why the new seller note rules are causing waves
🔹 How the SBA is tightening up MCA refinancing (and why it's controversial)
🔹 What the end of partial buyouts might mean for business succession
🔹 Why small loan changes are confusing lenders—and borrowers alike
🔹 The political and practical realities behind these sweeping updates

From equity injection drama to MCA crackdowns, we're diving into the real-world impacts behind the SBA’s latest moves.
Whether you’re a BDO, broker, borrower—or just a fan of good banter—you won't want to miss this one.

👉 Got thoughts or questions on the new SOP? Send them our way at TheBDOShow@ArtofSBA.com.
📺 Like, subscribe, and stay tuned for more industry updates, hot takes, and special guests.

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

SBA Protection

SBA Protection Quick Close Life Insurance – the fastest, easiest way to secure the insurance protection your borrower needs for their SBA loan.

For more information, visit their website https://sbaprotection.com/ or email Adam Bergen at Adam@SBAProtection.com

ReSquared

Finding and engaging small business owners has never been easier.

Resquared is the go-to platform for Business Development Officers looking to connect with local business owners—faster and effectively. They help you find the right prospects effortlessly.

Schedule a demo today at http://landing.re2.ai/bdo

Welcome back to The BDO Show—where merchant cash advances meet mic drops, and no referral fee is safe from scrutiny.
💰 Is MCA a necessary evil—or just misunderstood? In this episode, we sit down with business loan broker Alex Roshko to explore the controversial world of alternative lending, fast capital, and what it really means to serve the borrower’s best interest.

Joined by hosts Emily Detor, Chris Hackney, Sterling Birdsong, and Ryan Kroge, we dig into: ⚡ The real competition for SBA lenders (hint: it's not other SBA lenders)
💸 How brokers balance borrower needs vs. their own compensation
📉 The risks of MCA stacking—and how some brokers syndicate their own money
📋 New SBA fee enforcement and why referral partners are officially on notice
🤖 Will BDOs get replaced by AI and lead gen firms? Kroge makes a bold prediction...

This episode is part education, part roast, and part rollercoaster—and we’re not just talking about Vegas Al.

👉 Have strong feelings about MCA? Tell us how you really feel in the comments or email us at TheBDOShow@ArtofSBA.com.
📺 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell—because if you're not staying sharp, you're probably getting stacked.

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

Rapid Business Plans

Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders. For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to https://rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba

Peak Business Valuations

Peak Business Valuation has put together a free valuation resource for The BDO Show listeners that lists out the rule of thumb formulas for some of the most common industries in SBA lending.

Get your free valuation resource today by going to https://peakbusinessvaluation.com/get-your-free-valuation-resource/

Welcome back to The BDO Show—where files get moved, borrowers get coached, and we finally find out who the real Ray Drew is.

👀 Ever wonder how top BDOs stay on top? Spoiler: They’ve got powerhouses like Cora Robinson behind the scenes—handling everything from borrower calls to credit writeups (and yes, she even bakes cookies for referral sources).

In this episode, we talk with Cora, the SBA loan specialist and operational engine behind Ray Drew’s high-volume production. We dig into what it’s really like to be the one pushing deals through… and what happens when a former BDO finds her sweet spot behind the scenes.

Join Emily Detor and Chris Hackney as they unpack: 📊 What it takes to manage 30+ active deals at once
🧠 How Cora gets borrowers to actually complete their checklists
📞 Why hopping on the phone can shave weeks off your processing time
📈 The reality of transitioning from BDA to BDO (and why not everyone should)
👶 Balancing a booming SBA career with life as a new mom

From the front lines of loan support to the heart of high production—this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and killer advice for anyone navigating the SBA grind.

👉 Have you ever had a behind-the-scenes MVP like Cora on your team? Shout them out in the comments or email us at TheBDOShow@ArtofSBA.com.
📺 Like, subscribe, and don’t forget to thank your loan specialist today. They’re the real ones.

🎙This episode is sponsored by:

SBA Protection

SBA Protection Quick Close Life Insurance – the fastest, easiest way to secure the insurance protection your borrower needs for their SBA loan.

For more information, visit their website https://sbaprotection.com/ or email Adam Bergen at Adam@SBAProtection.com

ReSquared

Finding and engaging small business owners has never been easier.

Resquared is the go-to platform for Business Development Officers looking to connect with local business owners—faster and effectively. They help you find the right prospects effortlessly.

Schedule a demo today at http://landing.re2.ai/bdo

The BDO Show is hitting the road. We will be speaking at the Mid America SBA Lending Conference in Houston on April 15th. Go to https://malc-conference.com for more information. This will be a live show you won't want to miss!