Heather Endresen, an expert in SBA lending and owner of Viso Business Capital, shares her decades of experience. She highlights the extraordinary benefits of SBA loans for first-time business buyers, including favorable terms and flexibility compared to conventional loans. The discussion dives into personal guarantees, the importance of structuring loans wisely, and the process of navigating defaults, especially in challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. Ideal for anyone considering entrepreneurship through acquisition!
SBA loans enable acquisition entrepreneurs to purchase businesses with as little as 5% equity, offering favorable terms over conventional loans.
The requirement for a personal guarantee in SBA loans poses significant risks, but can be negotiated in times of borrower hardship.
Deep dives
Advantages of SBA Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Program offers significant benefits for acquisition entrepreneurs, primarily its generous loan terms that require minimal equity investment. Entrepreneurs can borrow up to 90% of a business's value, allowing them to acquire a company with as little as 5% equity if structured wisely with seller notes. The loans also feature a longer repayment period compared to conventional loans, typically allowing ten years for repayment without the inclusion of restrictive covenants. This combination of low equity requirements and flexibility in terms makes the SBA loans highly appealing for first-time business buyers.
The Role of Personal Guarantees
A critical aspect of SBA loans is the requirement for a personal guarantee, which mandates that the borrower personally assumes responsibility for the entire loan amount if the business fails. This personal guarantee remains a point of hesitation for many potential borrowers, as it represents a significant personal risk. However, the process allows for negotiation with the SBA in cases of hardship, providing some relief to borrowers who may have limited assets. Understanding the implications of this personal guarantee is essential for entrepreneurs as they navigate the risks associated with utilizing SBA financing.
Finding the Right Lender
Navigating the landscape of SBA loans can be complex, with over 100 lenders available, and only a select few that favor business acquisition loans. The process of matching a borrower with the right lender is streamlined through loan brokerage services, which help searchers identify the most appropriate lenders for their specific deals and requirements. This service alleviates the time and effort typically spent approaching multiple banks, as the brokers are paid by the banks, not the borrowers, providing valuable guidance at no additional cost. Utilizing such a service can ultimately increase the chances of securing favorable loan terms and a smoother acquisition process.
Investor Involvement and Resources
Many first-time buyers leveraging SBA loans often seek additional funding through equity investors to meet the cash requirements for their acquisitions. These investors frequently come from a network of seasoned small business investors who can provide both capital and valuable insights. The SBA allows flexibility in how much equity can be contributed, making it easier for new entrepreneurs to collaborate with investors while still maintaining a majority stake in their businesses. Engaging in educational resources, such as seminars or workshops, can also equip purchasers with essential knowledge and frameworks to prepare effectively before submitting offers.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program offers acquisition entrepreneurs an incredible opportunity to buy a company with little equity, and on very advantageous terms. Heather Endresen has decades of experience in SBA lending and is now Owner of Viso Business Capital, where she helps searchers in a variety of ways, including finding banks that are most appropriate for their SBA loans. In this episode, Heather explores the ins and outs of these "magical" loans, which differ in important ways from conventional bank loans. She discusses the beauty of SBA loans for first-time buyers, their lack of covenants, the ten-year term, how borrowers might think about the personal guarantee, and more. This is a must-listen episode for anyone considering or in the midst of an entrepreneurship through acquisition journey!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode