Unbankable with Alex Shvarts

How to bounce back from failure and rebuild your life is one of the most important lessons any entrepreneur can learn.I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Michael Beasley — former NBA player, number two overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, 12-season NBA veteran, international champion, and now a voice for resilience, reinvention, and business mindset.This conversation goes far beyond basketball.Michael talks about pressure, public perception, failure, identity, emotions, leadership, and what it really means to keep going when the world already thinks it knows your story.We talk about:* why failure is not the end of your story* how pressure changes the way people see themselves* what athletes and entrepreneurs have in common* why emotions and honesty matter in business* how public judgment can distort the truth* why leadership looks different for everyone* how to stop being the victim of your own story* what success really means beyond moneyWhat I love about this conversation is that Michael doesn’t give polished, rehearsed answers. He speaks from experience, from emotion, and from truth. And that’s exactly what entrepreneurs need more of.At FundKite, I talk to business owners every day who are fighting through pressure, setbacks, cash flow problems, and moments where they have to reinvent themselves. That’s why this conversation matters — because business is not just numbers. It’s resilience, timing, honesty, and the ability to keep moving forward.👉 Learn more about FundKite: https://fundkite.com/📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003My question for you:What failure or setback changed the way you look at your life or business?Drop your answer in the comments — I’d really like to hear it.

Small business funding, sales, and rejection - this is the real side of building a business.I’m Alex Shvarts, founder of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Kevin Richardson, founder of Splash Advance - a funding company that scaled fast and made its way onto the Inc. 5000 list in just a few years.Kevin works with business owners every single day, helping them navigate funding, cash flow, and the realities of getting deals done - and in this conversation, we go deep into what actually happens behind the scenes.We talk about:– why most entrepreneurs fail at handling rejection– the hardest conversations in funding and sales– how to set real expectations with clients– scaling a business without breaking it– hiring, firing, and building a real team– and what actually creates long-term successThis is not theory - this is real experience from people who are in the trenches every day.How do YOU handle rejection in business? Do you push harder or walk away?Drop your answer in the comments.⸻Need funding for your business?At FundKite, we help entrepreneurs get capital based on real cash flow - not bank rules.👉 https://www.fundkite.com📞 (877) 502-5003Splash Advance👉 https://www.splashadvance.comSubscribe for real conversations about business, funding, and growth.

Building a business is never simple.In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur Sardor Umrdinov, who built Home Alliance from a small appliance repair operation into a multi-million dollar home service platform.We talk about what it really takes to build and scale a business — hiring the right people, knowing when to fire, managing growth, and avoiding the mistakes that destroy companies.As someone who works with thousands of business owners through FundKite, I see firsthand how entrepreneurs grow, struggle, and succeed. In this conversation, we break down real lessons from building companies in the real world.In this episode we discuss:• how Sardor built a multi-million home service company• hiring and firing employees the right way• the importance of systems and SOPs in business• how to think about funding and growth• common mistakes entrepreneurs make when scaling• why understanding your numbers mattersIf you’re building a company, scaling a business, or thinking about entrepreneurship — this conversation is for you.Follow Sardor UmrdinovYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@sardorumrdinovWhat has been the hardest part of building your business? Drop your answer in the comments - I read them all.At FundKite, we help entrepreneurs access capital based on real business performance and cash flow, not outdated lending models.Learn more or apply here 👉 https://www.fundkite.comSubscribe to the channel for more conversations with entrepreneurs building real businesses.

No is a big word.Most people hear “no” and stop. In sales, in funding, in business. But the sale doesn’t start until you hear the word no.In this episode of Unbankable, I sit down with our Chief Revenue Officer, Justin Solomon, to talk about the real world of sales, business funding, and the mistakes we see every day from entrepreneurs.This isn’t motivational fluff. This is practical, hard-earned experience from over a decade funding small businesses across America.We cover:• Why “selling” is the wrong mindset• Why attracting is more powerful than convincing• The biggest mistake business owners make when applying for funding• Why desperation destroys negotiating power• How to handle rejection in sales• Why listening beats scripts every time• The danger of hypergrowth without a plan• How to choose the right funding partner• Why transparency matters in financing• Where the revenue-based financing industry is headingToo many business owners apply for capital when they’re on their back foot — emotional, unprepared, desperate.Funding works best when it’s planned.Revenue-based financing can be a powerful tool when used responsibly. But you need to understand what you’re getting into.At FundKite, we’ve built a boutique, relationship-driven funding platform designed to move with your cash flow - not against it.Sophisticated capital.Entrepreneurial speed.Real conversations.📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003🌐 Learn more: https://fundkite.com/If you’re a business owner - do you apply for funding when you’re strong… or only when you’re desperate?

Building a business isn’t about hype - it’s about execution, discipline, and making hard decisions when it matters most.In this episode of Unbankable, I sit down with a leader who has deployed over $2.3 billion in working capital to small and mid-sized businesses across all 50 states. We break down what actually separates entrepreneurs who scale from those who burn out - especially when banks say no.My guest is William J. Gallagher  the President of CFG Merchant Solutions, a firm that has funded thousands of businesses nationwide. With a background managing billion-dollar portfolios on Wall Street before betting on small business, he shares real insights on risk management, capital strategy, hiring decisions, partnership dynamics, and what it truly takes to build a durable company.In this episode, we discuss:• How to scale a small business without traditional bank financing• When to hire — and when to let people go• Why growth without margin can destroy your company• The biggest mistakes business owners make when seeking working capital• How to choose the right alternative financing product• Why financial organization is critical for funding approval• Risk management strategies for entrepreneurs• How to avoid “catch-up capital” traps• Building long-term partnerships in business• Scaling from $5M to $50M in revenueIf you’re a small business owner, startup founder, entrepreneur, or operator navigating working capital, alternative lending, private capital, fintech solutions, business growth strategy, or scaling challenges in the U.S. market — this conversation is for you.Success shouldn’t bring guilt. It should bring responsibility.When banks say no — there is Fundkite.Learn more about alternative business funding 👉 https://fundkite.comSubscribe and drop a comment:What’s the toughest business decision you’ve had to make?#fundkite #Entrepreneurship#AlternativeFinance#Unbankable #AlexShvarts