I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Brawner from Plastridge Insurance to talk about the insurance mistakes that destroy businesses every single year.

From restaurant fires 🔥 to lawsuits ⚖️ to business interruption nightmares — this conversation breaks down what business owners NEED to understand before it’s too late.

We talk about:

• why cheap insurance can become the most expensive decision you make
• what hospitality owners MUST protect from day one
• business interruption insurance explained simply
• what happens after a major loss or lawsuit
• how insurance brokers actually think
• why trust matters more than price in business
• sales, risk, relationships, and protecting your future

Ryan also shares some CRAZY real-life insurance stories 😂 and practical advice every entrepreneur should hear.

👉 Subscribe to the channel for more real conversations about business, funding, sales, entrepreneurship, and building something that lasts.

#alexshvarts  #unbankable #UnbankablePodcast #BusinessInsurance #RestaurantBusiness

What’s the biggest business mistake YOU’VE seen someone make trying to “save money”? 👀

I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Shifta — music artist, entrepreneur, real estate investor, developer, and founder of the Timeless brand.

Shifta started in music at a young age, built his name through records like “Ganja Shop,” toured internationally, and learned early that music income can be powerful — but unpredictable. Instead of spending everything on image, he used his first real money from music to buy property, build equity, reinvest into his career, and eventually expand into real estate development, restaurants, cannabis, beauty, and family-run businesses.

In this conversation, we talk about:

* why artists need to think like entrepreneurs
* how Shifta turned music income into real estate
* why making money in music is harder than people think
* how to handle rejection and keep going
* why one hit song is not a financial plan
* how real estate can create long-term stability
* why image can destroy wealth if you are not careful
* how to balance creativity, business, family, and discipline
* what young artists should know before spending their first big check

This episode is for artists, creators, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to build something bigger than one moment of success.

Drop a comment: if you made your first big check today, would you spend it, save it, or invest it?

_______

Banks focus on credit scores. We focus on real businesses.
This channel breaks down how entrepreneurs access capital using cash flow—not rigid bank rules.

📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003
🌐 Learn more: fundkite.com

#alexshvarts  #UnbankablePodcast #MusicBusiness #Entrepreneurship

I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Keith “Papa Keith” Walcott — legendary Miami radio host, media personality, voice actor, event host, entrepreneur, and community advocate.

Papa Keith has been the voice of Miami for decades, currently hosting afternoon drive on 103.5 The Beat. He has recorded more than 18,000 radio and TV commercials, built revenue streams beyond radio, worked with brands and advertisers, and used his platform to support the community through his People Matter initiative.

In this conversation, we talk about:

* why authenticity matters more than copying trends
* how to build a personal brand that lasts
* why radio is not dead
* how storytelling helps entrepreneurs sell their business
* how media personalities monetize their voice and influence
* why people spend money with people they like
* how to adapt your brand to different markets
* why giving back can save your purpose
* how entrepreneurs can use media, podcasting, and community to grow

We also talk about business funding, access to capital, why entrepreneurs need a plan before raising money, and how relationships still matter in a world where everything feels transactional.

This episode is funny, honest, and full of real lessons for entrepreneurs, creators, media professionals, and business owners who want to build something real — not just chase attention.

Drop a comment: what matters more today — followers, authenticity, or real relationships?

_______

Banks focus on credit scores. We focus on real businesses.
This channel breaks down how entrepreneurs access capital using cash flow—not rigid bank rules.

📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003
🌐 Learn more: fundkite.com

#alexshvarts #UnbankablePodcast #MediaBranding #Entrepreneurship

I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Sache B — entrepreneur, systems operator, and founder of Agency X.

Sache started doing manual labor at a young age, scaled operational businesses with hundreds of employees, and built a reputation for understanding systems, people, sales, and growth at a very high level. Today, he works across multiple industries helping businesses optimize operations, build scalable systems, and grow smarter.

In this conversation, we talk about:

* why entrepreneurs need to create their own path
* how to spot BS in business quickly
* why social media success can be misleading
* the difference between confidence and overconfidence
* why flashy money usually means less than people think
* how to hire and keep real A-players
* when firing someone can actually help both sides
* why one strong business beats chasing endless hustles
* how struggle creates financial discipline
* what it really takes to stay in business long enough to win

This episode is funny, honest, raw, and full of real entrepreneurial lessons about money, people, discipline, communication, and building something meaningful.

Drop a comment: what’s the biggest lesson entrepreneurship has taught you so far?

#alexshvarts #unbankable #EntrepreneurMindset 

I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Brett Rosenblatt, founder and CEO of Biz Connect Ads, to break down what most business owners get wrong about lead generation.

Brett has generated millions of consumer leads across financial services and other industries, and in this conversation, we talk about what actually makes an ad campaign work, why cheap leads can become expensive fast, how Meta targeting has changed, and why the real failure often happens after the lead comes in.

We cover:
* why most businesses waste money on ads
* how to separate qualified leads from bad leads
* what business owners should know before hiring a lead generation agency
* why follow-up systems matter more than most people think
* how AI is changing marketing
* when to fire your marketing agency
* what entrepreneurs can learn from bad days, failed systems, and real business pressure

If you are a business owner trying to grow, this episode will help you understand the difference between spending money on ads and investing in a real lead generation system.

Drop a comment: what is your biggest challenge with getting quality leads?

I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Michael Beasley — former NBA player, number two overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, 12-season NBA veteran, international champion, and now a voice for resilience, reinvention, and business mindset.

This conversation goes far beyond basketball.

Michael talks about pressure, public perception, failure, identity, emotions, leadership, and what it really means to keep going when the world already thinks it knows your story.

We talk about:

* why failure is not the end of your story
* how pressure changes the way people see themselves
* what athletes and entrepreneurs have in common
* why emotions and honesty matter in business
* how public judgment can distort the truth
* why leadership looks different for everyone
* how to stop being the victim of your own story
* what success really means beyond money

What I love about this conversation is that Michael doesn’t give polished, rehearsed answers. He speaks from experience, from emotion, and from truth. And that’s exactly what entrepreneurs need more of.

At FundKite, I talk to business owners every day who are fighting through pressure, setbacks, cash flow problems, and moments where they have to reinvent themselves. That’s why this conversation matters — because business is not just numbers. It’s resilience, timing, honesty, and the ability to keep moving forward.

👉 Learn more about FundKite: https://fundkite.com/
📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003

My question for you:
What failure or setback changed the way you look at your life or business?

Drop your answer in the comments — I’d really like to hear it.

I’m Alex Shvarts, founder of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Kevin Richardson, founder of Splash Advance - a funding company that scaled fast and made its way onto the Inc. 5000 list in just a few years.

Kevin works with business owners every single day, helping them navigate funding, cash flow, and the realities of getting deals done - and in this conversation, we go deep into what actually happens behind the scenes.

We talk about:

– why most entrepreneurs fail at handling rejection
– the hardest conversations in funding and sales
– how to set real expectations with clients
– scaling a business without breaking it
– hiring, firing, and building a real team
– and what actually creates long-term success

This is not theory - this is real experience from people who are in the trenches every day.

How do YOU handle rejection in business? Do you push harder or walk away?
Drop your answer in the comments.

⸻

Need funding for your business?

At FundKite, we help entrepreneurs get capital based on real cash flow - not bank rules.
👉 https://www.fundkite.com
📞 (877) 502-5003

Splash Advance
👉 https://www.splashadvance.com

Subscribe for real conversations about business, funding, and growth.

In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur Sardor Umrdinov, who built Home Alliance from a small appliance repair operation into a multi-million dollar home service platform.

We talk about what it really takes to build and scale a business — hiring the right people, knowing when to fire, managing growth, and avoiding the mistakes that destroy companies.

As someone who works with thousands of business owners through FundKite, I see firsthand how entrepreneurs grow, struggle, and succeed. In this conversation, we break down real lessons from building companies in the real world.

In this episode we discuss:

• how Sardor built a multi-million home service company
• hiring and firing employees the right way
• the importance of systems and SOPs in business
• how to think about funding and growth
• common mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling
• why understanding your numbers matters

If you’re building a company, scaling a business, or thinking about entrepreneurship — this conversation is for you.

Follow Sardor Umrdinov
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@sardorumrdinov

What has been the hardest part of building your business? Drop your answer in the comments - I read them all.

At FundKite, we help entrepreneurs access capital based on real business performance and cash flow, not outdated lending models.

Learn more or apply here 👉 https://www.fundkite.com

Subscribe to the channel for more conversations with entrepreneurs building real businesses.

Most people hear “no” and stop. In sales, in funding, in business. But the sale doesn’t start until you hear the word no.

In this episode of Unbankable, I sit down with our Chief Revenue Officer, Justin Solomon, to talk about the real world of sales, business funding, and the mistakes we see every day from entrepreneurs.

This isn’t motivational fluff. This is practical, hard-earned experience from over a decade funding small businesses across America.

We cover:

• Why “selling” is the wrong mindset
• Why attracting is more powerful than convincing
• The biggest mistake business owners make when applying for funding
• Why desperation destroys negotiating power
• How to handle rejection in sales
• Why listening beats scripts every time
• The danger of hypergrowth without a plan
• How to choose the right funding partner
• Why transparency matters in financing
• Where the revenue-based financing industry is heading

Too many business owners apply for capital when they’re on their back foot — emotional, unprepared, desperate.

Funding works best when it’s planned.

Revenue-based financing can be a powerful tool when used responsibly. But you need to understand what you’re getting into.

At FundKite, we’ve built a boutique, relationship-driven funding platform designed to move with your cash flow - not against it.

Sophisticated capital.
Entrepreneurial speed.
Real conversations.

📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003
🌐 Learn more: https://fundkite.com/

If you’re a business owner - do you apply for funding when you’re strong… or only when you’re desperate?

In this episode of Unbankable, I sit down with a leader who has deployed over $2.3 billion in working capital to small and mid-sized businesses across all 50 states. We break down what actually separates entrepreneurs who scale from those who burn out - especially when banks say no.

My guest is William J. Gallagher  the President of CFG Merchant Solutions, a firm that has funded thousands of businesses nationwide. With a background managing billion-dollar portfolios on Wall Street before betting on small business, he shares real insights on risk management, capital strategy, hiring decisions, partnership dynamics, and what it truly takes to build a durable company.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How to scale a small business without traditional bank financing
• When to hire — and when to let people go
• Why growth without margin can destroy your company
• The biggest mistakes business owners make when seeking working capital
• How to choose the right alternative financing product
• Why financial organization is critical for funding approval
• Risk management strategies for entrepreneurs
• How to avoid “catch-up capital” traps
• Building long-term partnerships in business
• Scaling from $5M to $50M in revenue

If you’re a small business owner, startup founder, entrepreneur, or operator navigating working capital, alternative lending, private capital, fintech solutions, business growth strategy, or scaling challenges in the U.S. market — this conversation is for you.

Success shouldn’t bring guilt. It should bring responsibility.

When banks say no — there is Fundkite.
Learn more about alternative business funding 👉 https://fundkite.com

Subscribe and drop a comment:
What’s the toughest business decision you’ve had to make?

#fundkite #Entrepreneurship
#AlternativeFinance
#Unbankable #AlexShvarts