Finding a great business is only half the battle.

The harder part?

Convincing a lender that you're the person who should own it.

That's where most acquisitions quietly fall apart.

In this episode, Jaryd is joined by Jared W. Johnson, the top individual SBA loan producer in the United States, who's helped fund more than $800 million worth of business acquisitions. But this isn't just another conversation about lending. Jared has been on both sides of the table.

He recently acquired a $600,000 eCommerce business himself.

What caught his attention wasn't perfect systems or polished financials. It was the opposite. A business with outdated processes, inventory tracked entirely from memory, and obvious operational gaps that most buyers would see as red flags.

He saw upside.

Together, Jaryd and Jared unpack how the deal came together, why the business was relocated across states, how a 3PL simplified operations, and why keeping one long-term employee became one of the smartest decisions they made after the acquisition.

They also pull back the curtain on how lenders really think.

Why do buyers with strong incomes still get declined? What makes someone trustworthy in the eyes of a bank? Does your personal spending matter? And when a business has valuable assets like an email list, loyal customers, strong SEO, or a large social following, how much weight do lenders actually give them?

Whether you're preparing to buy your first business or looking to finance your next acquisition, this episode gives you a clearer picture of what separates buyers who get approved from those who don't.

The best deals don't always go to the highest bidder.

They usually go to the buyer who's prepared.

🎧 Hit play and discover what lenders are really looking for before they ever approve a business acquisition loan.

 

Episode Highlights

04:14 - Inside Jared's $600K eCommerce Acquisition: Why He Bought a Business Most Buyers Would Walk Away From

12:36 - From California to Texas: How They Relocated the Business, Switched to a 3PL, and Kept Operations Running Smoothly

21:42 - The Top Reasons SBA Loans Get Declined - Even When the Business Looks Like a Great Deal

24:26 - How to Make Lenders Believe You're Ready to Buy Your First Business (Even Without Owning One Before)

27:45 - The "Leaky Bucket" Test: Why Your Personal Finances Can Make or Break an SBA Approval

31:09 - How Banks Really Value Email Lists, SEO, Social Media, and Other Intangible Business Assets

36:18 - The Simple Move That Can Turn a "Maybe" Into a Loan Approval When You're Short on Experience

 

Key Takeaways

➥ The best acquisitions often hide behind messy operations. What looks inefficient to most buyers can become an opportunity with the right systems and execution.

➥ Lenders don't just evaluate the business - they evaluate the buyer. Your experience, preparation, and financial discipline all influence loan approval.

➥ First-time buyers can still secure SBA financing by demonstrating industry knowledge, a clear plan, and the ability to operate the business successfully.

➥ Retaining experienced employees can be one of the smartest post-acquisition decisions. Institutional knowledge is often more valuable than documented processes.

➥ Your personal finances matter. Lenders view your spending habits, savings, and cash reserves as indicators of how you'll manage a business.

➥ Email lists, SEO, customer databases, and social media add value - but lenders focus on how they support consistent cash flow, not just their size.

➥ Buying the business is only the beginning. Long-term success comes from continuously improving operations, learning the business, and investing in the right people.

 

About Jared Johnson

Jared W. Johnson is the biggest individual SBA producers in the United States, having closed over $800 million in SBA loans across his 15+ year career, the majority being M&A and business acquisition deals. As VP and Senior Business Development Officer at First Internet Bank, he's a two-time Coleman Publishing SBA BDO of the Year. He's also a business owner himself, having personally acquired and exited a manufacturing company. He hosts the Before You Buy or Sell a Business podcast.

 

Connect with Jared Johnson

➥ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredwjohnson/ 

 

Resource Links

➥ Connect with Jaryd here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause

➥ FREE Download the Due Diligence Framework - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/

➥ Buying Online Businesses Website - https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com

➥ Online Business Due Diligence Services -https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/duediligence

 

Buy & Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥

➥ Empire Flippers - https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE

➥ Flippa - https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5

➥ Motion Invest - https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO

➥ Investors Club - https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR

 

*This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

Finding a great business is only half the battle.
The harder part?
Convincing a lender that you're the person who should own it.
That's where most acquisitions quietly fall apart.
In this episode, Jaryd is joined by Jared W. Johnson, the top individual SBA loan producer in the United States, who's helped fund more than $800 million worth of business acquisitions. But this isn't just another conversation about lending. Jared has been on both sides of the table.
He recently acquired a $600,000 eCommerce business himself.
What caught his attention wasn't perfect systems or polished financials. It was the opposite. A business with outdated processes, inventory tracked entirely from memory, and obvious operational gaps that most buyers would see as red flags.
He saw upside.
Together, Jaryd and Jared unpack how the deal came together, why the business was relocated across states, how a 3PL simplified operations, and why keeping one long-term employee became one of the smartest decisions they made after the acquisition.
They also pull back the curtain on how lenders really think.
Why do buyers with strong incomes still get declined? What makes someone trustworthy in the eyes of a bank? Does your personal spending matter? And when a business has valuable assets like an email list, loyal customers, strong SEO, or a large social following, how much weight do lenders actually give them?
Whether you're preparing to buy your first business or looking to finance your next acquisition, this episode gives you a clearer picture of what separates buyers who get approved from those who don't.
The best deals don't always go to the highest bidder.
They usually go to the buyer who's prepared.
🎧 Hit play and discover what lenders are really looking for before they ever approve a business acquisition loan.
&nbsp;
Episode Highlights
04:14 - Inside Jared's $600K eCommerce Acquisition: Why He Bought a Business Most Buyers Would Walk Away From
12:36 - From California to Texas: How They Relocated the Business, Switched to a 3PL, and Kept Operations Running Smoothly
21:42 - The Top Reasons SBA Loans Get Declined - Even When the Business Looks Like a Great Deal
24:26 - How to Make Lenders Believe You're Ready to Buy Your First Business (Even Without Owning One Before)
27:45 - The "Leaky Bucket" Test: Why Your Personal Finances Can Make or Break an SBA Approval
31:09 - How Banks Really Value Email Lists, SEO, Social Media, and Other Intangible Business Assets
36:18 - The Simple Move That Can Turn a "Maybe" Into a Loan Approval When You're Short on Experience
&nbsp;
Key Takeaways
➥ The best acquisitions often hide behind messy operations. What looks inefficient to most buyers can become an opportunity with the right systems and execution.
➥ Lenders don't just evaluate the business - they evaluate the buyer. Your experience, preparation, and financial discipline all influence loan approval.
➥ First-time buyers can still secure SBA financing by demonstrating industry knowledge, a clear plan, and the ability to operate the business successfully.
➥ Retaining experienced employees can be one of the smartest post-acquisition decisions. Institutional knowledge is often more valuable than documented processes.
➥ Your personal finances matter. Lenders view your spending habits, savings, and cash reserves as indicators of how you'll manage a business.
➥ Email lists, SEO, customer databases, and social media add value - but lenders focus on how they support consistent cash flow, not just their size.
➥ Buying the business is only the beginning. Long-term success comes from continuously improving operations, learning the business, and investing in the right people.
&nbsp;
About Jared Johnson
Jared W. Johnson is the biggest individual SBA producers in the United States, having closed over $800 million in SBA loans across his 15+ year career, the majority being M&amp;A and business acquisition deals. As VP and Senior Business Development Officer at First Internet Bank, he's a two-time Coleman Publishing SBA BDO of the Year. He's also a business owner himself, having personally acquired and exited a manufacturing company. He hosts the Before You Buy or Sell a Business podcast.
&nbsp;
Connect with Jared Johnson
➥ <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredwjohnson/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredwjohnson/</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Resource Links
➥ Connect with Jaryd here -<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarydkrause</a>
➥ FREE Download the Due Diligence Framework - <a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/">https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/freeresources/ </a>➥ Buying Online Businesses Website -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/"> https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com</a>
➥ Online Business Due Diligence Services -<a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/ads-services/"> </a><a href="https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/duediligence">https://buyingonlinebusinesses.com/duediligence</a>
&nbsp;
Buy &amp; Sell Online Businesses Here (Top Website Brokers We Use) 🔥
➥ Empire Flippers -<a href="https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE"> https://bit.ly/3RtyMkE</a>
➥ Flippa -<a href="https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5"> https://bit.ly/3wGa8r5</a>
➥ Motion Invest -<a href="https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO"> https://bit.ly/3YmJAmO </a>➥ Investors Club -<a href="https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR"> https://bit.ly/3ZpgioR</a>
&nbsp;
*This post may contain affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site/posts at no additional cost to you.

Jaryd Krause quit his plumbing job in 2015 by acquiring online businesses and never looked back. Now one of the world's leading Online Business M&A advisors, he's helped thousands of people acquire profitable businesses, made his clients millions, and scaled companies from 6 to 8 figures.

The Buying Online Businesses Podcast cuts through the noise on acquisitions, M&A strategy, and building real wealth through buying already profitable online businesses. Whether you're looking to replace your income or build a portfolio that funds the life you actually want, this is your show!

Jaryd Krause quit his plumbing job in 2015 by acquiring online businesses and never looked back. Now one of the world's leading Online Business M&amp;A advisors, he's helped thousands of people acquire profitable businesses, made his clients millions, and scaled companies from 6 to 8 figures.
The Buying Online Businesses Podcast cuts through the noise on acquisitions, M&amp;A strategy, and building real wealth through buying already profitable online businesses. Whether you're looking to replace your income or build a portfolio that funds the life you actually want, this is your show!

Buying Online Businesses Podcast

Hosted by Jaryd Krause who went from plumber to creating an online business empire through buying websites for passive income. 

This podcast will unfold his secrets as you explore the highs, lows and light bulb moments of his personal journey in each episode. He will show you that no matter where you are in life an alternate lifestyle is more than possible. You will gain the knowledge you need to start buying online businesses yourself and live a fulfilling lifestyle.