Jennifer Peterson is an SBA lending expert with more than two decades of banking experience. Known as a “deal architect,” she has helped hundreds of business owners acquire, expand, and transition their companies using strategic SBA financing. Jennifer specializes in creative, structured solutions that preserve jobs, protect cash flow, and support long-term growth, particularly during ownership transitions.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [03:30] What SBA lending really is and why it has worked for over 70 years.
- [04:20] When business owners should consider SBA for expansion or transition.
- [06:05] What qualifies as a “small business” under SBA guidelines.
- [11:25] A real-world story of scaling from $300K to $14M using structured SBA financing.
- [16:45] How to find the right SBA advisor and avoid costly roadblocks
In this episode:
SBA lending is not just about capital—it’s about creating structured opportunities at critical moments in a business’s lifecycle.
In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Jennifer Peterson about how SBA financing works and when it becomes the right strategic tool for entrepreneurs. Jennifer explains that SBA loans are designed to support transitions, expansions, partner buyouts, and situations where traditional collateral may not exist. With a 70-year track record, the SBA program continues to play a critical role in job creation and business continuity across the country.
Adi and Jennifer walk through qualification requirements, industry considerations, and common misconceptions about what SBA can and cannot finance. Jennifer clarifies that many limitations often come from individual banks—not from the SBA program itself—and emphasizes the importance of education before making financing decisions.
The conversation highlights a powerful case study of a coffee company that leveraged multiple SBA loans over several years to scale from $300,000 in revenue to $14 million. Jennifer reinforces that growth through SBA requires vision, discipline, and guardrails. The episode brings everything back to systems: strategic capital deployed intentionally, supported by advisors who anticipate roadblocks and protect long-term stability.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Adi Klevit on LinkedIn
- Business Success Consulting Group
- Jennifer Peterson on LinkedIn
- Jennifer Peterson contact info:
- Phone: (503) 375-0857
- Email: JenniferFPeterson@waFdBank.com
Quotable Moments:
- “SBA is designed for transformation, transition, and expansion.”
- “It wouldn’t exist for 70 years if it didn’t work.”
- “SBA is a job preservation and job creation program.”
- “Growth requires guardrails.”
- “Find an advisor you can be vulnerable with.”
Action Steps:
- Evaluate whether your growth or transition plans require structured financing.
- Understand SBA qualification requirements before assuming you do not qualify.
- Identify areas where collateral limitations may make SBA a stronger fit than conventional loans.
- Build guardrails around expansion to ensure profitability keeps pace with growth.
- Seek an experienced SBA advisor who proactively anticipates roadblocks
Sponsor for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Business Success Consulting Group.
At Business Success Consulting Group, we create custom processes and tailor-made management systems so businesses can thrive.
Businesses simply can’t survive without workable systems and well-documented processes. That’s why our team of experienced professionals takes care of it for you.
We provide business owners, entrepreneurs, and key executives with six phases to success, along with the long-lasting systems necessary to support business expansion.
So, what are you waiting for? Do yourself a favor and cut the chaos out of your business.
Visit bizsuccesscg.com today or email info@bizsuccesscg.com to schedule a free consultation.
