Ep. 368 | When Banks Say No: Unlocking Alternative Funding for Small Biz Startups

In this episode of Small Biz Florida, recorded live at the 2025 Small Business Success Summit in Tampa, host Tom Kindred is joined by Boyd Karen, founder of Otro Financial, to discuss one of the biggest hurdles facing small business owners: access to funding. After launching or acquiring eight businesses of his own, Boyd discovered just how hard it is to secure loans—especially those under $350,000—from traditional banks. That frustration led him to start Otro Financial, a company that helps entrepreneurs secure unsecured loans based on personal credit, without collateral or years of business history. Boyd explains how these loans serve as bridge funding, helping startups survive and grow until they reach the two-year milestone that banks prefer. He also shares practical advice on improving personal credit, the value of alternative lending, and how Otro Financial supports entrepreneurs—especially Spanish-speaking founders—with tools, webinars, and resources. Whether you're launching your first business or facing a funding gap, this episode provides the insights and options you need to keep moving forward. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2025 Small Business Success Summit hosted at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital. Connect with Our Guest: otrofinancial.com