BDO Career Paths ft. Jeannie Yoder, Dustin Baker, & Jared Johnson | Ep. 160
Release Date: 10/03/2024
Big Updates from Art of SBA HQ
The Art of SBA Lending
🚨 Here’s what’s new for The Art of SBA Lending in 2025! 🚨 1️⃣ The Directors Retreat An exclusive event for SBA 7(a) division heads, happening May 4th & 5th at the Bohemian Hotel in Savannah, GA. Only 10 seats available! Reserve your spot: 2️⃣ SBA Jobs Board Our new jobs board is live! For just $99, post your open SBA lending positions and connect with top talent in the SBA community. Learn more: 3️⃣ Podcast Season Update We’re gearing up for a new season of The Art of SBA Lending featuring: A two-part episode with emerging SBA leaders A...
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The Elon Musk of SBA Lending (Season Finale) feat. Chris Hurn | Ep. 170
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray Drew sits down with Chris Hurn to explore the complexities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and finance. Chris shares the story of winding down his previous company, Fountainhead, navigating the challenges of partnerships, and transitioning to his latest venture—a business bank in West Georgia. From educating clients about SBA loans to building a team that aligns with company culture, Chris highlights the balancing act between growth, innovation, and risk. He also offers insights into: The risks and rewards of entrepreneurship Effective...
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Largest SBA Loan Service Provider Gets Acquired (again) feat. Mike Breckheimer | Ep. 169
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray sits down with Mike Breckheimer at NAGGL 2024 to discuss the ins and outs of starting a lender service provider (LSP) business and navigating the SBA ecosystem. Mike shares his extensive experience building turnkey solutions for banks, credit unions, and other institutions looking to outsource SBA loan operations. He dives into the intricate balance of compliance, relationship building, and patience required to thrive in this niche industry. Key Highlights: Starting an LSP: Learn the essential steps to establish yourself as a trusted SBA lender...
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The Fixer: Managing Risk and Taking Names feat. Brent Ciurlino | Ep. 168
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending Ray is joined by Brent Ciurlino at NAGGL as they unpack Brent’s background in risk management and where he got his reputation as: "the fixer” Brent held significant roles, including the Director of Asset Marketing at the FDIC and several senior positions within SBA-regulated entities. His current position is with Velocity, an SBLC, where he oversees the company's strategic growth and risk management operations. Known for his innovative contributions to SBA oversight mechanisms, he has been instrumental in developing key regulatory frameworks....
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SBA Operations: The Backbone of The Industry feat. Jackie Bogdan | Ep. 167
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending Podcast we have another special guest joining us for an interview live from the NAGGL conference in Vegas. Welcome Jackie Bogdan! We’re getting into all things operations, execution and closing. Tune in now and subscribe to stay in the loop for more episodes! This episode is sponsored by: CORPSMART CORPSMART is a due diligence group that specializes in lien searching, UCC filing, DMV title recordings and more. If you're looking to streamline your process, the CORPSMART team is the best resource, offering a wide range of services, capability to directly...
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Adding Value to your Team, Your Bank, & Your Borrowers feat. Michael Johnston | Ep. 166
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending Ray is joined by Michael Johnston at NAGGL as they explore Michael’s journey from BDO to national sales manager and his approach to driving value at every stage of the SBA lending process. Michael shares his vision of SBA lending in today’s evolving landscape, where efficiency, accountability, and teamwork are non-negotiable. Aiming to streamline small-balance loan processing to as little as 2-5 days, Michael highlights the role of technology, a strong referral network, and consistent credit philosophy. He also provides insight into the qualities...
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The Future of the SBA 7a Program feat. Mike Breckheimer, Charles Rho, & Bob Coleman | Ep. 165
The Art of SBA Lending
This week on The Art of SBA Lending we’re bringing you through the evolution of The SBA. What started as a small-scale government program in 1953 has grown into a $35+ billion industry, touching every corner of U.S. business. In this episode, The Art of SBA Lending explores the dynamic story of SBA 7(a) – and the potential paths it might take. Ray and an expert panel of Art of SBA Contributors discuss: ➡️ Reaction to the bold changes of 2023: whether the concerns surrounding the sweeping changes made in 2023, such as the “Do What You Do” policy and new SBLC licenses, were justified...
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What It Takes to Create Raving Fans in SBA Lending feat. Charles H Green, Chris Hurn, & Javier Jorge | Ep. 164
The Art of SBA Lending
What does it take to make your borrowers so happy that they can’t stop talking about their experience? In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray Drew is joined by a panel of SBA lending pros to discuss how to elevate your customer service game and turn borrowers into raving fans. SBA loans can be complex, and the journey to closing is rarely easy. But top producers know that exceptional service isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about guiding your borrower through them with empathy, attention, and solutions. Today, we’re sharing five proven methods that will not only enhance...
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Getting Rid of the "All Available Collateral" Rule feat. Brian Carlson, Bob Coleman, & Darren Davis | Ep. 163
The Art of SBA Lending
The Art of SBA Lending Podcast is back this week with a new episode full of big ideas, fresh perspectives, and one (more) especially bold opinion from Ray. Join Ray and an expert panel of contributors as they explore the top trending topics in the SBA industry right now: The “big fish” trend—how top lenders are taking over more of the SBA market, and what that means for small-midsized shops How lenders approach the SOP’s grey areas—practical tips for new and experienced lenders Ray’s proposal to eliminate the all available collateral rule—why it makes sense, and how it will...
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10 Culture-Killers: A Practical Guide on Building Culture | Ep. 162
The Art of SBA Lending
In this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, we’re diving into the heart of building a strong and intentional company culture. Ray and our panel of experts discuss why defining a company’s culture goes beyond labeling it as “good” or “bad.” Instead, it’s about identifying what makes your organization unique and aligning it with the values and behaviors you want to see reflected in your team every day. We’ll explore: The importance of crafting clear, actionable core values and how they can serve as the backbone of a successful culture How to embed these values throughout your...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Art of SBA Lending, Ray tackles a question many top-producing BDOs face: What's next? For those constantly pushing themselves to the next level, it’s not just about the numbers—it’s about growth, challenge, and finding fulfillment in their career.
Ray dives into the various career paths for high-performing BDOs and unpacks the unique challenges and opportunities that come with each option:
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Scaling to the $100 million mark: What does it take, and is it worth the risk of burnout?
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Transitioning to sales management: Can managing a team offer the next level of satisfaction, or is the pay cut too steep?
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Becoming a shop director: What does it look like to lead your own SBA department? Can this role provide both the challenge and compensation that top BDOs are seeking?
We also explore the emerging idea of the "Mini-Director" role, where BDOs can continue to grow without sacrificing income or independence. This episode is packed with real-world insights from a stellar panel of Art of SBA contributors:
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Dustin Baker - CEO and Cofounder of Shatterbox
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Jeannie Yoder - SBA Regional Executive at United Community Bank
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Jared Johnson - Senior Business Development Officer at First Internet Bank
Whether you’re looking to expand your production or explore new career paths, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how top BDOs are leveling up and what you can do to take the next step in your SBA lending career.
Baker Lewis
Baker Lewis is the SBA lending industry’s premier executive search and personnel consulting firm. Schedule a call by reaching out to Dustin Baker at 940-230-4321.
[Rapid Business Plans]
Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders.
For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to www.rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba
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