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ThinkSBA

ThinkSBA

ThinkSBA is a Nationwide SBA 504 and 7a Loan Brokerage serving small business and entrepreneurs purchasing owner occupied real estate, acquiring a business or franchise or buying out a partner.

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How I Bought a Profitable Business After 20 Years in Banking | My SBA Loan

by Ryan Smith on July 18, 2026

After nearly 20 years in banking and financing hundreds of business acquisitions, I finally became the buyer.

In this episode of My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, I share the complete story of buying my first business—a profitable trampoline park—and the lessons I learned before, during, and after the acquisition.

▶️We discuss:

➡️Why I chose to buy an existing business instead of starting one
➡️How I evaluated cash flow and risk before making an offer
➡️What I discovered during due diligence
➡️The financing structure and negotiations behind the deal
➡️The biggest surprises after taking ownership
➡️Why cleaning up the business didn’t automatically increase profits
➡️Cash flow, taxes, and wealth-building strategies every buyer should understand
➡️My advice for first-time business buyers and entrepreneurs
➡️Why I’m already searching for my next acquisition

Whether you’re considering buying a business, exploring SBA financing, or interested in Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA), this episode offers practical insights from someone who has been on both sides of the table—as a banker and now as a business owner.

If you’re serious about business acquisitions, SBA loans, and building long-term wealth through entrepreneurship, make sure to subscribe for more episodes.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith
👨‍⚖️ Featuring Estate Planning Attorney Rodney Hatley



More ThinkSBA Resources

⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba – Schedule Call
https://g.page/thinksba – Google Business Page & Reviews
https://thinksba.com/faq – Frequently Asked Questions
https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ – My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
http://youtube.com/@thinksba – YouTube Channel

Category: SBA 7(a) Loan Program, SBA Loan Podcasts, Small Business LoansTag: SBA Advisor, SBA Loan Podcasts, Small Business Owners

About Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith is Principal and Founder of ThinkSBA®, and Creator of The My SBA Loan Pro Podcast. Ryan specializes in assisting business owners and entrepreneurs with obtaining financing to purchase owner occupied real estate, acquire a business or franchise, or buy out a partner. Ryan accomplishes this by leveraging over eighteen years experience inside two of America’s top financial institutions.

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ThinkSBA

ThinkSBA is a nationwide SBA 504 and 7(a) loan brokerage specializing in sourcing capital quickly and efficiently for our clients.

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