Ep 421 | Beyond the Business Loan: Exploring Retirement Funds as Startup Capital with Mickey Parker

Could your retirement savings offer another path to business ownership? Understanding the options—and the responsibilities involved—is an important place to start. Recorded at the 2026 Florida SBDC Small Business Success Summit in Charlotte Harbor, this episode of Small Biz Florida features host Tom Kindred in conversation with Mickey Parker, CPA and CEO of AccellaFund. Mickey explains a funding approach that allows eligible retirement funds to be rolled into a new company’s retirement plan and invested in that company’s stock. He walks through the basic structure and discusses how this equity investment differs from a traditional business loan. The conversation explores questions entrepreneurs should ask about rollover eligibility, including potential restrictions on funds held in a current employer’s retirement plan. Mickey also discusses ongoing plan administration and potential exit options, such as a company repurchasing its shares or an eventual business sale. Throughout the episode, Tom and Mickey emphasize that access to funding is only one part of starting a business. A solid business plan, market research, and guidance from an SBDC advisor remain essential preparation. Tune in to learn about an alternative funding option, the considerations involved in putting retirement savings into a business, and the questions to explore before taking the next step.