How Many Looks Does it Take to Get to the Top of a Leaderboard | Ep. 38

Welcome to The BDO Show! A podcast for passionate BDOs wanting to level up their game with advice and stories from battle-tested BDO's. In this engaging episode of The BDO Show, the team welcomes Mary Soldano, a renowned SBA BDO. They delve deep into the intricacies of balancing SBA lending while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The podcast kicks off with a discussion on the expectations and strategies for managing the numbers game in the field of SBA lending. Mary shares her insights on calculating necessary outputs and backward planning to achieve annual goals. These insights can help new and seasoned BDOs alike understand better methodologies for meeting and exceeding performance targets. The conversation further explores the dynamics of work-life harmony, tackling topics such as time management, family responsibilities, and the perception of women versus men in balancing professional and personal life commitments. Mary's experience as a mother of three and a successful BDO showcases how one can achieve excellence in a demanding career while prioritizing family. This episode is packed with practical advice for BDOs looking to enhance their productivity and find equilibrium in their professional and personal lives. Key Takeaways: Strategic Planning: Mary Soldano emphasizes the importance of reverse engineering your goals by calculating how many deals need to be submitted and approved to hit a target, using metrics like term sheets and closings. Work-Life Balance: Insights on maintaining a healthy work-life balance focus on being fully present in each moment, whether with family or at work. New BDO Challenges: New BDOs should expect a ramp-up period typically around six months to gain traction and experience as they establish themselves in the industry. Effective Networking: Surrounding oneself with experienced and successful professionals can significantly enhance learning and success rates in the onerous prospecting phase. Honesty in Business: Being truthful with clients and referral partners about deal specifics builds better trust and long-term partnerships.   If you have questions or comments, please send them to [email protected]  This episode is sponsored by: Rapid Business Plans Rapid Business Plans is the go-to provider of business plans and feasibility studies for government guaranteed small business lenders. For more information, or to set up a Get Acquainted call go to Art of SBA — Rapid Business Plans | https://rapidbusinessplans.com/art-of-sba