What happens when a business owner drops hints about selling—or outright asks you to “dance”? In this episode, the Lords break down real-world signals, emotional undercurrents, and strategic moves buyers should make when owners start flirting with exit. From awkward coffees to intentional conversations, learn how to recognize the moment and act on it.

📌 Timestamps:
[00:01:05] The Dance That Changed Everything - Steph's wake-up call about corporate America
[05:36] From Corporate VP to 20+ Acquisitions in 5 Years - Ruth's audacious goal
[11:14] The Compassion Strategy - How Ruth negotiates with legacy male sellers in a male-dominated industry
[18:42] Starting at $3.35/Hour - Ruth's telemarketing origin story and work ethic foundation
[30:41] "Don't Wait" - Ruth's urgent advice to women entrepreneurs (and why she wishes she'd started sooner)
[35:15] Betting on Ruth - How Steph fought her credit team to back a "dreamer" who doubled revenues in year one
[42:22] Breaking Glass Ceilings - Why women need "fem-tours," not mentors
[49:56] The LLC Strategy - Brian breaks down Ruth's legal structure for multiple acquisitions

Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.

Seller notes are reshaping how deals get done. In this episode, the Lords of Lending sit down with Abby Shemesh of Seller Edge Capital to explore the evolving world of seller financing, note sales, and how liquidity is changing the psychology of buyers and sellers. If you’re in acquisitions, lending, or advising, this is a masterclass in structuring smarter deals.

📌 Timestamps:
00:00 - Opening: Why seller notes are the overlooked weapon in M&A
04:31 - Abby's origin story: From Bear Stearns to disrupting Main Street finance
10:04 - The liquidity problem: Why 44% of sellers say "no" to seller financing
13:49 - The 3 contract elements that make seller notes buyable
19:05 - Steph's challenge: Why buy mediocre loans from Dubuque, Iowa?
25:15 - The capital market dislocation problem (18% vs 10% returns)
28:05 - The 3-5 year sweet spot for seller note terms
40:22 - How SBA refinancing creates perfect exit timing for note buyers
45:06 - Final roadmap: Closing more deals with seller note strategies

Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.

What does it take to launch and scale a thriving restaurant business? In this episode, the Lords dig into the real-world challenges, hidden costs, and strategic thinking behind building a successful food and beverage concept. Whether you’re dreaming of opening your first café or scaling your third location, this conversation covers what it really takes—from startup costs and SBA funding to operations, brand building, and long-term growth.

📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: Restaurant business isn’t for the faint of heart
01:15 – Shane’s restaurant background and hard lessons
04:22 – Startup costs: what most people underestimate
07:35 – SBA loan structure for food and beverage concepts
10:42 – Brand, vibe, and concept: the recipe for traction
14:05 – Lease terms, equipment, and location considerations
17:12 – Hiring and staffing in a high-turnover industry
20:40 – The systems behind successful operations
24:30 – Passion vs. profit: which comes first?
28:02 – Real challenges: debt, seasonality, and cash flow
31:44 – Advice to new operators looking to launch
35:10 – Wrapping up: where great restaurant owners focus

Questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.