Many SBA borrowers don’t fail because they are unqualified. They fail because they are overwhelmed. They are stepping into ownership, signing personal guarantees, and making the largest financial commitment of their lives—often while still working a full-time job and trying to learn an industry in real time. Then they get hit with requests:Tax returns. Interim … Continue reading Borrowers Don’t Need More Steps—They Need a Relationship
Author: Certified Business Appraiser
Vendors Aren’t “Third Parties”—They’re Trust Infrastructure
Vendors in SBA deals are often introduced as “third parties.” That phrasing is technically true. But strategically, it’s misleading. A good vendor—valuation, CPA, attorney, insurance—functions as part of the trust infrastructure that allows a lender to say yes. Because SBA lending isn’t just about credit.It’s about credibility. A lender needs confidence that the information is … Continue reading Vendors Aren’t “Third Parties”—They’re Trust Infrastructure
The Quiet Killer of SBA Deals—Silence
If I had to name one behavior that destroys SBA deals more than anything else, it would be this: Silence. Silence from borrowers who are afraid to disclose an issue.Silence from lenders who assume the borrower “should know.”Silence from vendors who see a risk but don’t want to “rock the boat.” Silence doesn’t protect deals.It … Continue reading The Quiet Killer of SBA Deals—Silence
Independence Doesn’t Mean Disconnection
One of the most misunderstood concepts in SBA work is the role of an independent third party—especially in valuation. Independence is not hostility.It’s not aloofness.It’s not “hands off.” Independence means objectivity. But objectivity does not require disconnection. In fact, the strongest lender–vendor relationships are built when everyone understands the boundary correctly: The lender does not … Continue reading Independence Doesn’t Mean Disconnection
When the Triangle Works, Everyone Wins
When the Borrower / Lender / Vendor triangle is healthy, you can feel it. The borrower is transparent early.The lender communicates expectations clearly.The vendor asks hard questions without drama.Everyone understands their role. And here’s the payoff: Better underwriting decisions Fewer closing surprises Faster problem resolution Less post-close disappointment Less reputational risk for the lender More … Continue reading When the Triangle Works, Everyone Wins
SBA Lending Is Relationship Risk Management
If you’ve followed my broader series about leadership, risk, due diligence, integration, and value destruction, this is where I land: SBA lending is relationship risk management. Yes, it is credit analysis.Yes, it is policy.Yes, it is compliance and structure. But what determines whether the work holds up—whether the borrower thrives post-close, whether the lender avoids … Continue reading SBA Lending Is Relationship Risk Management
📚 Valuation Myth: S-Corp Tax Status Automatically Increases Value
The Myth:Pass-through entities like S-corporations are automatically worth more because they avoid double taxation. The Reality:While S-corps avoid corporate-level taxes, owners still pay taxes personally. The real drivers of value are cash flow, growth, and risk — not tax structure. Electing S-status doesn’t magically create more profits, lower costs, or reduce risk. A business is … Continue reading 📚 Valuation Myth: S-Corp Tax Status Automatically Increases Value
The 20th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The 20th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, February 17, 2026 — The 20th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational was contested Monday, February 16, 2026 at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club. One hundred five players competed in gusty winds and temperatures in the 50s for the … Continue reading The 20th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament
Reflections on The 20th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament
In February 2007, The Robert M. Clinger III Invitational was played by a small group of individuals brought together by a shared love of the game and a deep respect for its traditions. From the outset, it was never intended to be easy. A demanding format and the often-unforgiving conditions—cold, wind, rain, and at times … Continue reading Reflections on The 20th Annual Robert M. Clinger III Invitational Golf Tournament
The Invitational, Its Home, and Those Who Carry It Forward
The Robert M. Clinger III Invitational was established with a simple but deliberate goal: to create a competitive event worthy of both the setting and the players who gather here each year. From its beginning, it was intended to be challenging, thoughtful, and rooted in respect—for the game, for one another, and for the traditions … Continue reading The Invitational, Its Home, and Those Who Carry It Forward
Highland Global Business Valuations 