For nearly two decades, I have dedicated my career to one thing: helping small business owners access the capital they need to grow. SBA lending is not just what I do, it’s what I have chosen to do. But my perspective on small business financing did not come only from my career.
It also came from home.
My husband, my father and my sister are all business owners, and over the years I have seen firsthand the decisions entrepreneurs face, when to grow, when to take on debt and when to wait. Watching those choices play out in real life is what ultimately led me to pivot into SBA lending. I wanted to help business owners navigate financing decisions with clarity, confidence and a long-term view.
That combination of professional experience, personal understanding and deep familiarity with the Indiana market has shaped how I approach SBA lending and what I have learned about successful small businesses.
1. Successful small businesses plan for SBA financing early
Successful SBA borrowers plan months ahead and view financing as a strategic part of growing their business — not just a response to pressure or timing. And while planning early makes a meaningful difference, bankers support small business owners at every stage of the business journey.
2. The best business owners understand their numbers and their story
Strong financials are essential in SBA lending, but clarity matters just as much. The most successful borrowers can explain revenue trends, how seasonality affects cash flow, and what drives changes in expenses or margins.
3. Experience teaches you to balance optimism with realism
Entrepreneurs are naturally optimistic, and they should be. But after nearly two decades in SBA lending, I have learned that the most successful business owners also plan for uncertainty.
They ask what happens if growth takes longer than expected, how the loan will perform under different economic conditions, and whether the structure still works if costs increase.
That realistic approach results in stronger, more sustainable SBA loans and fewer surprises over time.
4. SBA lending works best when it is relationship driven
One advantage of working with a community bank is the relationship. In Indiana markets, understanding local industries, real estate values and economic conditions matters.
In fiscal year 2025, SBA loan programs supported more than $880 million in federally backed capital for Indiana small businesses, including approximately $564 million in SBA 7(a) loans and $131 million in SBA 504 loans.
Successful SBA borrowers value a lender who knows their community and stays engaged beyond the loan closing. The strongest outcomes happen when SBA lending is treated as a partnership, not a transaction.
5. SBA loans are reaching more diverse business owners
National SBA data shows increasing access to capital for historically underserved entrepreneurs. In fiscal year 2024, the SBA backed approximately 15,500 loans totaling $5.6 billion to majority women-owned businesses, 9,600 loans totaling $3.3 billion to Latino-owned businesses, and 5,200 loans totaling $1.5 billion to Black-owned businesses.
These trends reflect the growing role SBA financing plays in supporting a diverse and resilient small business economy.
Final thoughts from SBA relationship specialist
After 18 years in SBA lending and decades in business banking, one thing is clear. Successful small businesses do not all look the same, but they tend to think the same way.
They plan ahead, understand their numbers, stay realistic and build strong banking relationships. When SBA loans are paired with experience, local market knowledge, and a true partnership, they can help businesses grow with confidence.
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about SBA loans here.
