PODCAST · business
Sweatpants & Strategy
by Dana Hirschkowitz
Welcome to the Sweatpants & Strategy: SBA Success Stories Podcast, where we dive into the world of SBA lending, business growth, and personal success stories – all in a relaxed, down-to-earth twist! Please note, the content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your business or financial needs. This podcast is inspired by and dedicated to my father, Norman Hirschkowitz, whose encouragement, and belief in taking risks led me to where I am today. His lessons continue to guide me, and I’m proud to honor his memory with each episode.
Episodes
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Episode 24: Leadership, Culture, and the Working Mom Reality
🚨 LEADERSHIP ALERT. 🚨 If you think HR is just about black-and-white policies and sitting on the sidelines, this episode is your wake-up call. We’re diving back into the "structured chaos" of SBA with the woman who is redefining executive leadership in the people space. In Part 2 of this deep...
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Episode 23: Structured Chaos, The "Cool HR" Guide to SBA Talent and Leadership
🚨 HR ALERT. HR ALERT. 🚨 Think SBA talent is the same as traditional banking? Think again. It’s not just about credit scores—it’s about surviving the "structured chaos." In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, Dana sits down with the woman who is redefining what it means to be a Chief People...
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Episode 22: Scaling a 24-Hour Empire w/ the RIGHT Lender | Signed, Funded & Loved: Pt. 3
🚨 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…
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Episode 21: From Bad Dates to the Big Leagues | Signed, Funded & Loved: Part 2
🚨 SBA VALENTINE’S ALERT🚨 The second episode of our "February Love Stories" has arrived, and it’s a grand slam. If you’ve ever felt like the banking world was just one big series of "bad dates" and "ghosting," this one is for you. Dana sits down with her partner-in-crime Lyndsey Blanks from...
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Episode 20: Signed, Funded & Loved: Part 1 | Marissa & Angela
🥋 HI-YAH! 🥋 The SBA Love Story has landed. Brace yourselves. Yes. THAT episode. The one where we prove that SBA isn't just a mountain of paperwork—it’s a 21-year career of passion, grit, and finding your "person" in the industry. We’re talking about chemistry that survives construction…
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Episode 19: Egos vs. Efficiency: Rebranding the Modern SBA Lender w/ Ray Drew
The SBA world is changing fast, and if you’re still sticking to the "Money Store" playbook from 1995, you’re already behind. In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, Dana sits down with the man who needs no introduction: Ray Drew, SBA Managing Director at Reliant and the voice behind The Art of...
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Episode 18: 2025 Wrap-Up on AI, Labor Shifts, & High-Stakes Lending
🚨 ALERT. ALERT. 🚨 The SBA Year-End Wrap-Up has landed. Brace yourselves. Yes. THAT year. The one with wins, losses, plot twists, and at least three “wait… what?” moments. The one that aged us, surprised us, and occasionally made us question reality. We survived. Somehow. And now we’re talking...
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Episode 17: Halloween Swepardy 🎃👻
🎃 HALLOWEEN SWEPARDY SPECIAL! 👻 Welcome back to Swepardy — this time, we’re taking over the stage Halloween-style! 🕸️ Join your host (and ringmaster!) Dana Hirschkowitz as she wrangles our contestants through a frightfully fun round of SBA-themed Jeopardy: 🏆 Michael Bland — the reigning...
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SPECIAL EPISODE: The 2024 BLOOPER Reel
As we wrap up 2024 with Sweatpants & Strategy, we’re taking a look back at the moments that didn’t make the final cut—but definitely brought plenty of laughs! From behind-the-scenes mishaps to hilarious guest moments, this special blooper reel shows the lighter side of the podcast. ✨ What to...
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Episode 16: AI- The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (Part 2)
Part 2 of our AI in SBA Lending conversation is here, and trust us, it goes places Part 1 only scratched the surface on. Dana, Lyndsey, and Darren join me again for a deeper dive into how AI is showing up behind the scenes: underwriting, closing, hiring, business plans, and even résumés (you’ll...
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Episode 15: AI- The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly (Part 1)
Part 1 is LIVE: Is AI helping or hurting SBA lending? Welcome back to Sweatpants & Strategy! I’m Dana Hirschkowotz, founder of The Dana Company—your recruiter for elite SBA and banking talent. In this episode (Part 1 of 2), we’re diving into a topic shaking up our industry: AI in SBA lending.…
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Episode 14: Mind the Gap: Women, Capital & the Power Shift in Lending – Part 2
You’re watching Part 2 of our Sweatpants & Strategy episode titled “Mind the Gap: Women, Capital & the Power Shift in Lending.” If you missed Part 1, head there first for all the bold insights that kicked off this powerful two-part conversation. In Part 2, Dana and Stephanie Dunn get tactical—and...
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Episode 13: Mind the Gap: Women, Capital & the Power Shift in Lending – Part 1
This episode, titled “Mind the Gap: Women, Capital & the Power Shift in Lending,” is so powerful, we had to break it into Part 1 and Part 2. In Part 1, Dana sits down with Stephanie Dunn, Chief Revenue Officer at Phoenix Lender Solutions, for a candid conversation about the real forces shaping...
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Episode 12: Operational Déjà Vu: Why The New SOPs Feel So Familiar
Operational Déjà Vu: Why The New SOPs Feel So Familiar Feeling confused (again) by the SBA’s latest SOP changes? You're not alone. In this episode, we unpack the so-called "simplification" efforts—and why they feel more like a flashback than a fresh start. From shifting requirements to mixed...
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Episode 11: SBA Credit Mastery: A Story from the Best in the Business
In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, host Dana Hirschkowitz chats with Anthony Pauldin, Head of the Credit Group at First Bank of the Lake, about leading a top-ranked SBA lending team and managing over $650 million in loans. What You’ll Learn: 🔹 Leadership at Scale – How Anthony leads a 25+...
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Episode 10: Special Report: SBA SOP Revisions & DOGE Crackdown
🎧 About This SWEATPANTS & STRATEGY - Special Report This episode takes a bold deep dive into the latest SBA SOP revisions and the DOGE's increased scrutiny of SBA lending practices. It cuts through the noise and gets real about what lenders, credit officers, and business plan expert consultants...
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Episode 9: SBA Elite: A Story of Unstoppable Success
Breaking Barriers in SBA Lending: Meet the Unstoppable Kay Anderson In this powerhouse episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, host Dana sits down with Kay Anderson—an industry leader who has broken barriers and paved the way for other women in SBA lending and finance. From becoming the first female…
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Episode 8: Mastering SBA Business Plans — Secrets from Industry Powerhouses
🚀 SBA LOANS & BUSINESS PLANS: What You NEED to Know! If you're applying for an SBA loan, your business plan isn't just a formality—it can make or break your approval! Yet, 40% of small business owners don’t have one. In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, we’re pulling back the curtain on…
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Episode 7: Top 3 Characteristics of a Business Development Officer & More!
🚀 What makes a top-tier Business Development Officer (BDO)? Find out in this first episode of 2025! Host Dana Hirschkowitz is joined by an expert panel of SBA professionals to break down the Top 3 Characteristics of a Successful BDO—and so much more. From communication skills to industry…
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Episode 6: 2024 SBA Wrap Up
As 2024 comes to a close, join us for a special year-end episode of Sweatpants & Strategy! Host Dana Hirschkowitz brings together a dynamic panel of four guests for a lively and insightful discussion reflecting on the SBA industry’s biggest moments of the year and what’s ahead for 2025. 🎙️ What…
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Episode 5: SBA Swepardy
Get ready for the most fun-filled and competitive episode of Sweatpants & Strategy yet! In this special holiday edition, our three guests—decked out in their ugly sweaters—go head-to-head in SBA Swepardy, a Jeopardy-style trivia game packed with SBA knowledge, industry insights, and plenty of...
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Episode 4: The Royal Rumble: Women VS Men
Get ready for an unforgettable episode of Sweatpants & Strategy! In Episode 4, we’re calling it The Royal Rumble as two men and two women from the SBA world step into the ring—metaphorically, of course—for a lively discussion about gender dynamics, collaboration, and mentorship in the industry....
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Episode 3: Generations of Change in SBA Lending: Mother-Daughter Perspectives
In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, we explore the evolving landscape of SBA lending through the eyes of two generations. Join host Dana Hirschkowitz as she sits down with Stephanie Schwandt, a 35-year veteran of the SBA industry, and her daughter Alexandria “Ali” Schwandt, a rising star in...
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Episode 2: Navigating SBA Loans: Challenges, Insights, and Solutions
Welcome to Episode 2 of Sweatpants & Strategy! This week, we’re tackling the SBA loan process from two unique perspectives—small business owner and lender. Our guests bring their expertise, struggles, and solutions to the table for an honest, practical discussion that every small business owner…
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Episode 1: Breaking Barriers in SBA Lending | Real Stories, Challenges, and Success
In this premiere episode, we sit down with Stephanie Dunn—a trailblazer in SBA lending with over 25 years of experience and a track record of launching several successful SBA shops. Stephanie opens up about her journey, the challenges and triumphs she’s encountered as a woman in finance, and the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to the Sweatpants & Strategy: SBA Success Stories Podcast, where we dive into the world of SBA lending, business growth, and personal success stories – all in a relaxed, down-to-earth twist! Please note, the content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your business or financial needs.
This podcast is inspired by and dedicated to my father, Norman Hirschkowitz, whose encouragement, and belief in taking risks led me to where I am today. His lessons continue to guide me, and I’m proud to honor his memory with each episode.
HOSTED BY
Dana Hirschkowitz
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sweatpants & Strategy have?
Sweatpants & Strategy currently has 25 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sweatpants & Strategy about?
Welcome to the Sweatpants & Strategy: SBA Success Stories Podcast, where we dive into the world of SBA lending, business growth, and personal success stories – all in a relaxed, down-to-earth twist! Please note, the content of this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and...
How often does Sweatpants & Strategy release new episodes?
Sweatpants & Strategy has 25 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Sweatpants & Strategy?
You can listen to Sweatpants & Strategy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sweatpants & Strategy?
Sweatpants & Strategy is created and hosted by Dana Hirschkowitz.
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