Veteran SBA lender Kendro Benjamin breaks down the mysteries of Small Business Administration financing after 24 years in banking. Discover why most business owners are leaving money on the table by not leveraging SBA loans, how you can acquire commercial real estate with just 10% down (versus 25-30% conventional), and which industries banks secretly avoid. Kendro shares insider knowledge on startup funding, the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when seeking capital, and why your retirement plan might actually be the building you're working in. Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling an existing business, this episode demystifies the lending process and reveals practical strategies for building wealth through smart financing.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) - Introduction: Meet SBA Expert Kendro Benjamin
• (00:01:00) - What is the SBA and Why Most People Don't Know About It
• (00:03:00) - The Real Cost of Business Ownership: Funding Statistics
• (00:05:00) - SBA vs Conventional Loans: The 10% Advantage
• (00:08:00) - State-by-State Differences: New York vs New Jersey
• (00:12:00) - Interest Rates and When SBA Makes Sense
• (00:16:00) - Industries Banks Avoid and Why
• (00:20:00) - Franchise vs Startup: Making the Right Choice
• (00:24:00) - The Startup Question: Funding Before Proof of Concept
• (00:28:00) - Five Gems: Critical Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Links and Resources

• Website
• Kendro Benjamin on LinkedIn
• Amos Akinyooye on LinkedIn
• Aston Consulting Group

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