Ryan Smith

Ryan is the Founder of ThinkSBA, 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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Sep 11
10 min read

The New SBA Rules Are Sending Business Buyers a Message: Be Ready

For the last several years, buying a business has increasingly been marketed as an alternative career path.Leave your corporate job. Find a small business. Put 10 percent down. Get an SBA loan. Become an entrepreneur.

Aug 21
12 min read

The Network Behind the Deal: How the Right Advisors Can Help You Source, Structure, and Finance a Business Acquisition

The right network can make the difference between simply finding a business and successfully closing one.

Aug 14
10 min read

From Owner Occupied to Passive Income: How 1031 Exchanges Can Extend the Life of Your Business Real Estate Wealth

When you own your commercial real estate, you are potentially building two valuable assets at the same time: the operating business and the real estate underneath it. The business may produce income today, while the real estate can appreciate, build equity, and eventually become part of a much larger investment strategy.

Aug 7
10 min read

Why the Best Business Buyers Search Less, Not More

Most first time business buyers believe the key to finding the perfect business is to cast the widest net possible.They search every industry.Every state.Every marketplace.Every broker.Every listing.On the surface, this sounds like a smart strategy. More opportunities should lead to better odds, right?Wrong.

Jul 31
10 min read

What to Watch Out for When Buying a Franchise

Buying a franchise can be one of the fastest paths to business ownership. Instead of building a brand from scratch, franchise owners gain access to established operating systems, recognized trademarks, marketing support, training, and proven business models.

Jul 17
8 min read

I Became the Client: Buying My Own Business with an SBA Loan

For years, I've helped entrepreneurs buy businesses using SBA financing. I've guided clients through underwriting, due diligence, negotiations, and closing hundreds of times. But recently, I experienced the process from the other side of the table—I became the borrower.The experience reinforced something I've always believed: the best advisors are the ones who have personally walked the path they're asking others to take.

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