{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"SBA Cafe","title":"SBA Cafe Episode 1: Navigating the 2026 Market with Insider SBA Expertise","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/599aa670\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2386,"description":"Welcome to the inaugural episode of the SBA Cafe podcast. Host Ryan Smith is joined by industry experts Kalen Foster (Live Oak Bank), Julian Carney-Domm (The Bancorp), and Casey Hopkins (Southland EDC) to dive deep into the world of SBA borrowing, market trends, and real-world deal-making.\n\n2025: The Year of Perseverance and Acquisition\n\nThe panel kicked off the first episode by reflecting on the landscape of 2025:\nThe Year of Perseverance: Kalen Foster noted that despite political shifts and interest rate volatility, successful business owners persevered to grow their operations.The Year of Business Acquisitions: Both Julian Carney-Domm and Ryan Smith saw 2025 as a major year for acquisitions, particularly in the startup franchise space.\"Survive in '25\": Casey Hopkins highlighted that while many focused on survival, the 504 loan volume was surprisingly strong compared to 2024.\nLessons from the Trenches: Proud Deal Stories\n\nThe experts shared complex stories from 2025 that illustrate the challenges—and rewards—of the SBA process:\nThe Long Game: Julian shared a story of a gas station construction project that took a full year to close due to losing a general contractor, discovering underground rock, and facing months of municipal permitting delays.Mission-Driven Lending: Kalen recalled a deal involving a 60-year-old family business. Despite pressure from brokers to level the building for high-density housing, the SBA loan allowed the owners to keep their staff employed and maintain their community presence.Environmental Obstacles: Casey navigated a 12-month acquisition of a former Oscar Mayer plant, which required extensive environmental remediation and database corrections before the deal could successfully close.Detangling Complexity: Ryan discussed a two-year acquisition that nearly fell apart when a seller hesitated and a business partner decided to exit the deal after approval. The transaction eventually closed, and the expansion is now outpacing the original...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/w8vamrRIDTaT1i_eO7-YPVXm68XkS3gFF818V_6gX0c/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8yNzBh/YmVlNDRkMzdiNWZj/MzBhMDQzN2NiMjY0/NWI5Yi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}