221: How to Finance a Business Transition or Acquisition, David Miller
Release Date: 11/02/2025
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221: How to Finance a Business Transition or Acquisition, David Miller
Succession Stories
What does it take to finance a business transition or acquisition? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with David Miller, Executive Vice President at Enterprise Bank, to demystify lending for business owners — from SBA loans to insider buyouts. David shares how banks assess deals, why management continuity matters most, and how entrepreneurs can become “bankable” when it’s time to grow or exit. 💬 Quote from David Miller: “Don’t think you can’t buy a business just because you’re not personally wealthy. If you have the right skillset and knowledge of the industry, there...
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220: Steep Learning Curves, Brandon Stanchock - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
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Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Brandon Stanchock, CEO of SWF Industrial Inc. Brandon discusses his journey to take the helm of a family business. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, employee development, and implementing innovative collaboration strategies in the industrial sector. The conversation also highlights Brandon's commitment to providing support for employees and internal promotion programs. Brandon shares how his personal interests in travel, gaming, and podcasting align with his broader mission to help people reach their full potential both inside and outside the workplace....
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218: The Maverick Mind of an Entrepreneur, Travis Howerton - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
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“ Treat people well, work hard, have a plan.” Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Travis Howerton, a technology and security expert with over 25 years of experience. Travis shares his journey from federal service and the nuclear weapons program to becoming the Co-Founder and CEO of RegScale. They discuss the entrepreneurial gene, personality assessments in team dynamics, and the challenges of scaling a business. Travis emphasizes the importance of empathy, hard work, and strategic planning. He also highlights the potential of automation and AI in the compliance industry. Travis discusses his...
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217: Nurturing Legacies, Corey Perlman - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
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215: All In On Accountability, Molly McGrath - The Entrepreneur Gene
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What’s the most important value to have when you’re running your own business? According to Molly McGrath, Founder of Hiring and Empowering Solutions, it’s accountability. Listen in as Host Laurie Barkman talks with Molly about her unique perspective on the entrepreneur gene - a desire for control and freedom, stemming from an anti-authoritarian mindset. Molly highlights the importance of teaching employees to be intrapreneurs, involving them in decision-making processes, and implementing incentive-based compensation models. The episode also emphasizes the significance of...
info_outlineWhat does it take to finance a business transition or acquisition? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with David Miller, Executive Vice President at Enterprise Bank, to demystify lending for business owners — from SBA loans to insider buyouts.
David shares how banks assess deals, why management continuity matters most, and how entrepreneurs can become “bankable” when it’s time to grow or exit.
💬 Quote from David Miller:
“Don’t think you can’t buy a business just because you’re not personally wealthy. If you have the right skillset and knowledge of the industry, there are flexible ways to make it happen.”
Key Takeaways:
💡 How SBA loans act as an “insurance policy” for banks — and a growth tool for small businesses.
👥 Why insider buyouts often outperform private equity or third-party acquisitions.
💰 How to match financing structures to your business goals and cash flow needs.
🏦 What “being bankable” really means — and how to build it before you need it.
🤝 Why having the right professional team (CPA, attorney, advisor) is critical in any business transition.
🎧 Tune in to Succession Stories to learn practical strategies for financing growth, buying a business, or preparing for your own successful exit.
✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: btsherpa.com/book
📣 Write a Podcast Review: ratethispodcast.com/successionstories
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Special thanks to Ryan Nolf, Marketing Director, for producing this Succession Stories episode live in studio at Enterprise Marketing.