Use this checklist to assess businesses in this industry for SBA 7(a) lending and underwriting. 👨‍💼 Owner + Family Labor Normalization Does the owner work full-time or cover nights/weekends? Are family members involved without proper compensation? Has owner/operator labor been replaced with market wages? Is payroll adequate for full store coverage across all hours? 🏷️ … Continue reading Convenience Store Checklist
Robert M Clinger III
Chiropractor Practice Checklist
Use this checklist to assess businesses in this industry for SBA 7(a) lending and underwriting. 👨‍💼 Owner Dependency + Credentialing Is the owner the sole licensed chiropractor? Is there an associate or backup provider? Has a fair market wage been applied to clinical work? Are licensing and credentialing transferable or replicable? 🏷️ Payer Mix + … Continue reading Chiropractor Practice Checklist
Boutique Fitness Studio Checklist
Use this checklist to assess businesses in this industry for SBA 7(a) lending and underwriting. 👨‍💼 Owner Role + Instructor Labor Does the owner teach the majority of classes? Are certified instructors employed and fairly compensated? Has owner labor been normalized? Are teaching roles documented or informal? 🏷️ Revenue Model + Seasonality Is revenue based … Continue reading Boutique Fitness Studio Checklist
Behavioral Health & Therapy Clinic Checklist
Use this checklist to assess businesses in this industry for SBA 7(a) lending and underwriting. 👨‍💼 Owner Licensing + Labor Review Is the owner the only licensed therapist or counselor? Are there associate providers or billing staff? Has owner clinical labor been normalized? Are licenses transferable or will clients stay post-transition? 🏷️ Revenue Structure + … Continue reading Behavioral Health & Therapy Clinic Checklist
Auto Repair Shop Checklist
Use this checklist to assess businesses in this industry for SBA 7(a) lending and underwriting. 👨‍💼 Labor + Compensation Adjustments Is owner/technician compensation normalized? Are family members or unpaid labor adjusted? Is payroll reflective of true staffing needs post-sale? đź“Š CapEx and Equipment Review Are lifts, tools, and diagnostic equipment near end-of-life? Has a normalized … Continue reading Auto Repair Shop Checklist
Auto Body & Collision Repair Checklist
Use this checklist to assess businesses in this industry for SBA 7(a) lending and underwriting. 👨‍💼 Owner + Technician Labor Review Does the owner perform repair or painting labor? Are any family members working unpaid? Has labor been normalized for technician, estimator, and admin roles? Are wages aligned with local industry benchmarks? 🏷️ Insurance & … Continue reading Auto Body & Collision Repair Checklist
Machine Shop / Tool & Die Checklist
Use this checklist to assess businesses in this industry for SBA 7(a) lending and underwriting. 🧑‍🔧 Owner Dependency & Technical Skill Risk Is the owner the lead machinist, programmer, or estimator? Has a market wage been applied for the owner’s technical role? Is there trained staff or documentation to transfer technical knowledge? Are SOPs, G-code … Continue reading Machine Shop / Tool & Die Checklist
Top 10 Misunderstandings SBA 7(a) Lenders Have About Business Valuations
Business valuations play a pivotal role in underwriting SBA 7(a) loans, especially for business acquisitions. However, many lenders misunderstand key principles underlying valuation methodology, potentially leading to flawed underwriting, non-compliance with SBA SOP requirements, or exposure to guaranty denial risk. This white paper outlines the ten most common misunderstandings SBA lenders have about business valuations … Continue reading Top 10 Misunderstandings SBA 7(a) Lenders Have About Business Valuations
How to Prepare for a SBA 7a Business Valuation
An SBA loan appraisal can make or break a deal. Proper preparation ensures a smooth process, aligns expectations between lender and borrower, and mitigates the risk of loan denial. This paper outlines what business owners and advisors need to know before the valuation begins. 1. Understand the Appraisal Requirements SBA SOP 50 10 8 requires … Continue reading How to Prepare for a SBA 7a Business Valuation
The State of Small Business in America: A Strategic Guide for SBA Lenders, Owners, Brokers, and Appraisers
Part 1: Introduction and Overview Historical Perspective on Small Business in the U.S. Small businesses have been an integral part of America’s economic identity since the country’s founding. From colonial-era blacksmith shops to the modern digital startups of Silicon Valley, entrepreneurship has always played a pivotal role in driving growth, innovation, and social mobility. In … Continue reading The State of Small Business in America: A Strategic Guide for SBA Lenders, Owners, Brokers, and Appraisers
Highland Global Business Valuations 