How to Build a Portfolio of Online Businesses with Smart Financing & Systems with Glenn Giro

Dec 24, 2025

In this conversation, Glenn Giro, an SBA business development officer and acquisition financing expert, dives into the nuts and bolts of financing business acquisitions. He discusses how $100,000 can unlock opportunities worth over a million dollars. Glenn explains the intricacies of SBA loans, including their appealing terms and surprising advantages for buyers. Learn about the strategic ways to leverage SBA financing, the importance of cash flow, and why some high-multiple digital businesses face hurdles. This eye-opening dialogue reshapes your approach to building a profitable portfolio.

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ADVICE

Budget For Total Project Costs

Understand SBA requires a 10% equity injection of total project costs, not just purchase price.
Right-size your budget so you keep reserves and avoid going broke buying a business.

ADVICE

Bridge Equity Gaps Consciously

If your cash is tight, pursue a smaller target or add a partner/gift to strengthen equity and liquidity.
Consider seller financing but expect new rules requiring a 10-year standby on seller notes.

ADVICE

Plan For SBA Fees Upfront

Expect SBA guaranty fees that scale with loan size and plan to roll them into the loan or budget cash for them.
Ask your lender for an estimate up front to avoid surprise $20K–$30K costs on larger deals.

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How far can $100,000 really take you in business acquisitions?

One deal?
A small portfolio?
Or a scalable acquisition machine?

In this episode, Jaryd Krause sits down with SBA Business Development Officer Glenn Giro to break down the real math behind buying businesses with SBA financing, and why there’s technically no cap on how many businesses you can acquire, as long as you understand the rules that actually stop most buyers.

They unpack how entrepreneurs are using up to 90% SBA financing, long 10-year terms, and no prepayment penalties to build portfolios most people assume are out of reach.

You’ll discover:

How $100,000 in cash can unlock a $1M+ acquisition
The $5M SBA cap per NAICS code and how it impacts serial buyers
Why banks love SBA loans (and why that matters to you)
The real fees lenders don’t explain upfront
How cash flow and debt service coverage are actually calculated
What changes when you go from your first deal to your second, third, or fifth
When 100% financing is possible and when it’s not
Why do some high-multiple digital businesses get rejected
The timeline lenders expect before approving your next acquisition

If you’re serious about buying your first digital business or turning one deal into a portfolio of cash-flowing assets, this episode will completely reframe how you think about capital, leverage, and scale.

Watch the full video to see the numbers, strategies, and acquisition pathways most buyers never learn about.

Episode Highlights

02:55 – Why a “simple” 10% down payment can still kill your SBA deal if you don’t understand total project costs.

05:08 – The harsh truth: why $100K is often not enough to safely buy a $1M business.

10:52 – How SBA’s 75% loan guarantee unlocks 90% financing—and why banks are eager to lend.

12:57 – The hidden cost most buyers miss: $20K–$30K in SBA fees on a $1M acquisition.

15:16 – The real reason most buyers can’t buy a second business right after their first.

23:59 – The quiet rule that caps portfolios at $5M per NAICS code—and how it blocks long-term scaling.

Key Takeaways

➥ SBA financing allows buyers to acquire businesses with as little as 10% down, but cash reserves and liquidity matter more than purchase price alone.

➥ The SBA’s 75% government guarantee reduces bank risk and unlocks long-term, high-leverage financing for profitable online businesses.

➥ Seller financing can help bridge equity gaps, but new rules requiring 10-year standby make it rare in competitive acquisitions.

➥ Most buyers need 6–12 months of successful operations before qualifying for a second SBA-backed acquisition—proof of execution accelerates approvals.

➥ Each business must support its own debt service; strong cash flow in one acquisition won’t compensate for a weak second deal.

➥ NAICS code limits quietly shape acquisition strategy—buyers who plan ahead can scale portfolios faster and avoid unexpected financing caps.

About Glenn Giro

Glenn Giro is a seasoned SBA business development officer and acquisition financing expert who helps entrepreneurs buy and grow businesses using strategic SBA-backed loans. He hosts “SBA University,” a training series for business owners and aspiring acquirers, and regularly speaks about acquisition financing and business ownership strategies.

Connect with Glenn Giro

➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-giro/

➥ https://www.youtube.com/@SBAUniversity

Resource Links

➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause

➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com

➥ Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/

➥ Sell your business to us here - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/sell-your-business/

➥ Google Ads Service - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/

Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥

➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE

➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5

➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO

➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR

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