Influencer Blueprint Show

Ty Crandall

The Influencer Blueprint Show features influencers and their journeys to become the industry leaders they are today. In each episode, we interview thought leaders and reveal the blueprint they've used to go from obscurity to become the popular leaders they are now. Each of our guests has built and currently educates and entertains a massive social following; the Influencer Blueprint Show is all about how they do it.

  1. 9h ago

    John Dicanio: How Alternative Lending Evolved & What Business Owners Must Know to Get Funded

    John is a highly respected leader in the alternative finance industry, bringing more than 17 years of experience building, scaling, and optimizing high-performing sales and funding organizations.  Throughout his career, he has successfully launched over seven sales organizations and co-founded two funding companies, including one that achieved a successful exit at five times EBITDA and another that continues to fund more than $7 million monthly. Known for his expertise in alternative lending, sales leadership, and risk assessment, John has developed a reputation for building teams that excel in both customer acquisition and long-term client retention. His approach focuses on thoroughly evaluating business profiles and aligning funding solutions with the unique needs of each client, helping businesses secure the capital necessary for sustainable growth. In addition to his operational success, John is passionate about mentoring sales professionals, developing funding strategies, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of alternative finance. His insights on leadership, scaling organizations, business funding, sales excellence, and industry trends would provide tremendous value to your audience. During the show we discuss: Why paying more for capital can sometimes be the smarter business decision The bank-statement signals funders actually look at Why a "business credit card" may not actually build business credit How to go from alternative funding to traditional financing The 0% funding trap—and what to check before applying Why business owners get rejected even when they think they're ready How AI could eliminate huge portions of the traditional underwriting process Why the right funder should help you become more fundable—not just close today's deal Resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdicanio/ Website: https://directmerchantfunding.com/

  2. 2d ago

    Eric Rabinovich: How to Finance Government Contracts and Scale Without Running Out of Cash

    Why do so many companies struggle with cash flow at the exact moment they have their biggest opportunity in front of them? Today we're talking about the hidden financial challenges of growth, how businesses can prepare for larger opportunities, and why access to the right capital strategy can determine whether a company scales or stalls. Our guest today is Eric Rabinovich, Managing Director of X-Caliber GovCon Capital. Eric brings a rare perspective to this conversation, having worked as a government contractor, served as a federal contracting officer with the FDA, and now helping businesses access the capital they need to execute on major contracts. During the show we discuss: Why landing a major contract can create a cash-flow crisis even when it's one of the biggest growth opportunities for a business. How to bridge the award-to-payment gap when payroll, vendors, materials and other expenses have to be paid before the customer pays you. How contract-backed working capital works, including how lenders can evaluate unbilled obligated dollars to determine available capital. Why cash flow and profitability are two different conversations and why a profitable business can still run into serious financial trouble. Why waiting until you need capital can dramatically limit your options, and how proactive capital planning can put you in a stronger position. How to prepare your business for financing by maintaining accurate, reliable books and understanding your P&L and financial position. How to compare different financing options, including traditional bank lines of credit, invoice factoring, asset-based lending and contract-based working capital. How to choose capital based on your specific situation, rather than assuming one financing product is automatically the best option. Resources: https://x-calibercap.com/x-caliber-govcon-capital/

  3. 3d ago

    Anthony Byrd: How to Structure the Right Funding Strategy to Buy and Scale a Franchise

    Anthony serves as Vice President of Banking Business Development at Benetrends Financial and has more than a decade of experience in franchise financing and SBA lending. As a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and active member of the International Franchise Association (IFA), he has built a strong reputation for helping franchisees and franchisors secure the capital they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses. Throughout his career, Anthony has partnered with franchise professionals across a wide range of industries, combining deep expertise in SBA lending, business development, and strategic partnerships to deliver meaningful results. He is also a frequent speaker at franchise and lending conferences, where he shares practical insights on funding strategies, franchise growth, and access to capital. Anthony's experience in franchise finance, SBA lending, relationship-building, and business growth would make for an insightful conversation and provide tremendous value to your audience of entrepreneurs, lenders, brokers, and business owners. During the show we discuss: Why how you finance a business purchase can make or break your success How to structure an acquisition deal properly from the start The different funding options available (SBA, ROBS, etc.) and how they work together How to evaluate and choose the right financing strategy for your situation Common mistakes people make when buying a business and how to avoid costly deal errors How to approach franchise vs. independent business acquisitions strategically Why understanding all your options upfront helps you make smarter, lower-risk decisions How to position yourself for a successful purchase and long-term growth You can learn more about Anthony here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-byrd-cfe-5824075/

  4. 4d ago

    Nimi Natan: How Lenders, Investors and Founders See Your Business Differently

    Today we're talking about what business owners can learn by seeing their company through three different perspectives—the operator, the investor, and the lender. We'll explore why growth can create as many challenges as opportunities, and how understanding the lender's mindset can ultimately make us stronger business owners. Our guest today has had the rare opportunity to sit in all three seats. As an entrepreneur, investor, and one of the country's leading SBA lenders, Nimi Natan understands that building a successful business takes more than revenue—it requires strong relationships, disciplined cash flow, and earning the confidence of those willing to invest in, lend to, and support your vision. That perspective has helped him scale Gulf Coast Small Business Lending by focusing not just on transactions, but on the people behind the businesses they serve. During the show we discuss: How SBA loans actually work and why they're one of the best funding options available The real requirements lenders look for when approving SBA deals Why many applicants get declined and how to avoid common mistakes How to structure your business and financials to qualify for larger funding amounts The differences between SBA loans and alternative financing options (and when to use each) How to leverage SBA financing to scale or acquire a business What lenders mean by "strong borrower profile" and how to position yourself as low risk How to navigate the SBA process faster and increase approval odds Resources: https://gulfcoastsba.com/

  5. Aug 4

    Shane Pierson: How to Become a Fundable Business and Get Approved for Bank Financing

    Shane Pierson is a seasoned banking professional at Leader Bank, where he specializes in helping businesses and individuals access tailored financial solutions to support growth and long-term success. With a strong background in commercial banking and lending, Shane works closely with clients to structure financing strategies that align with their goals, whether it's expanding operations, investing in real estate, or improving cash flow. Known for his relationship-driven approach, Shane focuses on understanding each client's unique financial position and delivering customized solutions that go beyond traditional banking. His expertise spans commercial lending, credit analysis, and strategic financial planning, making him a trusted advisor to business owners and entrepreneurs. Shane is passionate about helping clients navigate complex financial decisions while building sustainable, scalable success. During the show we discuss: Why lenders evaluate your business completely differently than you do How emotion can actually hurt your chances of getting approved What SBA lenders are really looking for when reviewing applications How to tell your business story in a way that builds lender confidence Why small operational changes can dramatically improve fundability How to prepare your business before applying for financing What most entrepreneurs misunderstand about the lending process How to bridge the gap between passion and bankable performance Resources: https://www.leaderbank.com/ clients navigate complex financial decisions while building sustainable, scalable success. Resources: https://www.leaderbank.com/

  6. Aug 3

    David Gens: Get Fast, Flexible Small Business Financing Without Traditional Bank Delays

    David Gens is an award-winning entrepreneur, fintech leader, and Founder & CEO of Merchant Growth, one of Canada's leading online small business finance companies. From humble beginnings in his apartment, David built the company into a national organization with offices in Toronto and Vancouver, helping thousands of Canadian small businesses access the capital they need to grow and succeed. With deep expertise in alternative lending, financial technology, and scaling businesses, David is driven by a mission to make funding more accessible through innovative digital solutions. In addition to leading Merchant Growth, he is the founder of BankFlow AI, where he is pioneering AI-powered technology designed to transform the financial services industry. A recognized voice in entrepreneurship and fintech, David frequently shares insights on business growth, digital lending, and the evolving landscape of small business finance. His practical experience and forward-thinking perspective make him a compelling and valuable guest for entrepreneurs, business owners, lenders, and finance professionals alike. During the show we discuss: Why getting funding in Canada has been historically difficult—and what's changing How alternative lending provides faster, more flexible funding options What lenders actually look for when approving small business funding How to position your business to qualify for funding more easily The role of FinTech in simplifying and speeding up approvals How revenue-based funding and modern lending models work What separates businesses that get approved vs. denied How to leverage funding to actually grow your business (not just survive) Resources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmvgens?originalSubdomain=ca Merchant Growth: https://merchantgrowth.com/ BankFlow AI: https://bankflow.ai/

  7. Aug 2

    Jeffrey Shaw: How High-Value Customers Drive More Profitable and Stable Business Growth

    Jeffrey Shaw is a globally recognized expert on selling to the affluent and a sought-after speaker who transforms how luxury businesses attract and retain a high-end clientele. With over four decades of experience working with the world's wealthiest individuals, he has mastered the art of understanding the luxury buyer mindset and elevating business strategies to extraordinary success. As a preeminent portrait photographer, Jeffrey's work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS News, in People and O Magazine, and hang at Harvard University. His deep understanding of affluent clients' complex behaviors and unspoken needs informs his expertise in luxury sales and marketing. Jeffrey is the author of Sell to the Rich, LINGO, and The Self-Employed Life and speaks at premier industry events such as ASID, NKBA, the Luxury Home Design Summit, and many more. His TEDx talk is featured on TED.com, and he is the creator of National Self-Employed Day, recognized on May 4th in the U.S. During the show we discuss: Why attracting the wrong clients can silently destroy your business How to identify and target your ideal client for better profitability and ease Why alignment between your business and lifestyle is critical for long-term success How to simplify your business to increase efficiency and results The hidden costs of saying yes to everything (and everyone) How clarity in positioning leads to stronger marketing and conversions Why working harder isn't the answer—and what to do instead How to build a business that supports your life, not controls it Resources: jeffreyshaw.com     https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyshawauthor/

  8. Aug 1

    Damiano Raveenthiran: Why Scaling Too Fast Can Destroy Your Business

    Damiano didn't start with connections or capital. At 24, he had $400 left, printed his LinkedIn profile 100 times, and spent 10 hours walking door-to-door to land his first client—a small power tool store that he helped grow into a nine-figure business within two years. That early momentum led to building and scaling an agency to over $8 million a year with a 75-person team. But behind the growth was a different reality: broken systems, pressure from investors, inconsistent sales, and a business that couldn't function without him. Then came the harder lessons—being defrauded by a client, losing team members and accounts to a trusted partner, and realizing that scaling hadn't created freedom; it had created dependence. After exiting, he stepped into enterprise sales, advising teams like Shopify Plus. He then built and scaled another agency to over $2 million per month and later structured it alongside private equity partners with a clear path to exit. But what changed most wasn't the scale—it was the perspective. Today, Damiano brings a different kind of conversation to podcasts. He doesn't talk about how to grow faster; he talks about what breaks as you grow, why most agencies become harder to leave, and how to build something that actually works without you. During the show we discuss: Why more revenue doesn't equal a healthier business How growth exposes hidden weaknesses in your operations Why founder-dependency is one of the biggest scaling bottlenecks How to build systems that allow your business to run without you The difference between scaling revenue vs scaling sustainably How to transition from hustle mode to structured growth Why early-stage struggles (like door knocking) build real scalability skills How to create a business that delivers freedom instead of burnout Resources: https://www.theagency.business/

About

The Influencer Blueprint Show features influencers and their journeys to become the industry leaders they are today. In each episode, we interview thought leaders and reveal the blueprint they've used to go from obscurity to become the popular leaders they are now. Each of our guests has built and currently educates and entertains a massive social following; the Influencer Blueprint Show is all about how they do it.