EPISODE · Apr 8, 2026 · 30 MIN
Episode 22: Scaling a 24-Hour Empire w/ the RIGHT Lender | Signed, Funded & Loved: Pt. 3
from Sweatpants & Strategy · host Dana Hirschkowitz
🚨 VALENTINE’S FINALE. 🚨The third and final part of our SBA Love Story series has landed. Forget roses and chocolates—we’re talking about the real romance: Trust, Timing, and Collaboration.In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, Dana sits down with one of her favorite "former candidates turned superstar lenders," Kahla Miscavige from FirstTrust. Kahla brought along her favorite borrower, Andrew Ruba, the founder of Ironworks Fitness in Philadelphia. Together, they break down the relationship milestones of an SBA loan: from the "First Date" intro call to the "Outcome" of a thriving, scaled business.🎙️ Featuring the legendary humans who lived to tell the tale:⭐ Kahla Miscavige – FirstTrust 🏦 (the straight-shooter who tells it like it is)⭐ Andrew Ruba – Ironworks Fitness 🏋️♂️ (the strength-training visionary scaling his empire across Philly)📊 Inside this chaos capsule:✔️ The "First Date" Vibes – Why Andrew interviewed 5–10 banks before finding a partner who actually understood the "minimalistic" 24-hour gym model.✔️ Risk vs. Reward – Kahla’s "No-BS" approach to a startup gym with no historical financials and the risk of being in a brand-new condo building.✔️ Scaling to Three Locations – Moving from a leasehold build-out to owning real estate and closing the deal just in time for a Christmas miracle.✔️ The "Why" Factor – Why Kahla relates to a 24-hour model as a busy mom and why "listening" is the secret to building borrower trust.✔️ The Survival Story – How Ironworks scraped by during an 8-month COVID shutdown and came out stronger on the other side.This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a masterclass in financial literacy, due diligence, and the power of a lender who has your back from the startup phase to the grand opening. Think of it as: “we did the jumping jacks, we crunched the numbers, and yes, we’re still open for the night owls.”🥂 Ending the series with honesty, efficiency, and just enough heavy lifting to keep your 2026 expansion moving.🏋️♂️ Learn more about Iron Works Fitness | https://www.ironworks.fitness/👉 YOUR TURN 🔮 — are you ready to stop "jumping through hoops" with the wrong lenders and find someone who sees your vision from the first floor up? 😎✨
What this episode covers
🚨 VALENTINE’S FINALE. 🚨The third and final part of our SBA Love Story series has landed. Forget roses and chocolates—we’re talking about the real romance: Trust, Timing, and Collaboration.In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, Dana sits down with one of her favorite "former candidates turned superstar lenders," Kahla Miscavige from FirstTrust. Kahla brought along her favorite borrower, Andrew Ruba, the founder of Ironworks Fitness in Philadelphia. Together, they break down the relationship milestones of an SBA loan: from the "First Date" intro call to the "Outcome" of a thriving, scaled business.🎙️ Featuring the legendary humans who lived to tell the tale:⭐ Kahla Miscavige – FirstTrust 🏦 (the straight-shooter who tells it like it is)⭐ Andrew Ruba – Ironworks Fitness 🏋️♂️ (the strength-training visionary scaling his empire across Philly)📊 Inside this chaos capsule:✔️ The "First Date" Vibes – Why Andrew interviewed 5–10 banks before finding a partner who actually understood the "minimalistic" 24-hour gym model.✔️ Risk vs. Reward – Kahla’s "No-BS" approach to a startup gym with no historical financials and the risk of being in a brand-new condo building.✔️ Scaling to Three Locations – Moving from a leasehold build-out to owning real estate and closing the deal just in time for a Christmas miracle.✔️ The "Why" Factor – Why Kahla relates to a 24-hour model as a busy mom and why "listening" is the secret to building borrower trust.✔️ The Survival Story – How Ironworks scraped by during an 8-month COVID shutdown and came out stronger on the other side.This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a masterclass in financial literacy, due diligence, and the power of a lender who has your back from the startup phase to the grand opening. Think of it as: “we did the jumping jacks, we crunched the numbers, and yes, we’re still open for the night owls.”🥂 Ending the series with honesty, efficiency, and just enough heavy lifting to keep your 2026 expansion moving.🏋️♂️ Learn more about Iron Works Fitness | https://www.ironworks.fitness/👉 YOUR TURN 🔮 — are you ready to stop "jumping through hoops" with the wrong lenders and find someone who sees your vision from the first floor up? 😎✨
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Episode 22: Scaling a 24-Hour Empire w/ the RIGHT Lender | Signed, Funded & Loved: Pt. 3
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