Unbankable with Alex Shvarts

Alex Shvarts
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they run out of capital. Unbankable is a business podcast for entrepreneurs who don’t wait for permission - especially from banks. I’m Alex Shvarts, Founder & CEO of FundKite. For over a decade, I’ve worked directly with thousands of small and mid-sized business owners across the United States, providing working capital when traditional banks said no. On this podcast, I sit down with CEOs, founders, operators, and leaders in alternative finance, fintech, private capital, and business growth to talk about what actually builds durable companies. No hype. No guru talk. Just real conversations about: • Scaling a small business • Working capital strategy • Alternative financing • Risk management • Hiring and firing decisions • Cash flow discipline • Profitable growth • Leadership under pressure • Building partnerships that last If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, startup founder, operator, or executive looking to grow smarter - this show is for you. We talk about what happens when banks say no. We talk about execution. We talk about capital. And we talk about building something real. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another entrepreneur who needs it. When banks say no - there is FundKite. Learn more about alternative business funding at 👉 https://fundkite.com Build smarter. Scale responsibly. Stay unbankable. – Alex Shvarts

Episodes

  1. Don't Hire a Lead Gen Agency Until You Listen This!

    5D AGO

    Don't Hire a Lead Gen Agency Until You Listen This!

    Lead generation is not just about getting more names, emails, or phone numbers. It is about finding the right people, qualifying them properly, and turning attention into real revenue. I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Brett Rosenblatt, founder and CEO of Biz Connect Ads, to break down what most business owners get wrong about lead generation. Brett has generated millions of consumer leads across financial services and other industries, and in this conversation, we talk about what actually makes an ad campaign work, why cheap leads can become expensive fast, how Meta targeting has changed, and why the real failure often happens after the lead comes in. We cover:* why most businesses waste money on ads* how to separate qualified leads from bad leads* what business owners should know before hiring a lead generation agency* why follow-up systems matter more than most people think* how AI is changing marketing* when to fire your marketing agency* what entrepreneurs can learn from bad days, failed systems, and real business pressure If you are a business owner trying to grow, this episode will help you understand the difference between spending money on ads and investing in a real lead generation system. Drop a comment: what is your biggest challenge with getting quality leads?

    42 min
  2. Michael Beasley on Being Called a Bust, LeBron, Kobe & Building a New Life

    MAY 5

    Michael Beasley on Being Called a Bust, LeBron, Kobe & Building a New Life

    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 money What 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) 502-5003 My 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.

    57 min
  3. How To Scale ANY Business Without Breaking It | Business Funding & Sales

    APR 8

    How To Scale ANY Business Without Breaking It | Business Funding & Sales

    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 success This 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) 502-5003 Splash Advance👉 https://www.splashadvance.com Subscribe for real conversations about business, funding, and growth.

    43 min
  4. From Technician to Multi-Million Empire | How Entrepreneurs Scale Businesses?

    MAR 26

    From Technician to Multi-Million Empire | How Entrepreneurs Scale Businesses?

    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 matters If you’re building a company, scaling a business, or thinking about entrepreneurship — this conversation is for you. Follow Sardor UmrdinovYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@sardorumrdinov What 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.com Subscribe to the channel for more conversations with entrepreneurs building real businesses.

    53 min
  5. The Sale Starts at NO! Revenue-Based Financing & The Truth About Sales

    MAR 9

    The Sale Starts at NO! Revenue-Based Financing & The Truth About Sales

    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 heading Too 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?

    56 min
  6. The Real Formula for Business Growth! | Funding, Risk & Smart Scaling

    MAR 2

    The Real Formula for Business Growth! | Funding, Risk & Smart Scaling

    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 revenue If 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.com Subscribe and drop a comment:What’s the toughest business decision you’ve had to make? #fundkite #Entrepreneurship#AlternativeFinance#Unbankable #AlexShvarts

    48 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas. They fail because they run out of capital. Unbankable is a business podcast for entrepreneurs who don’t wait for permission - especially from banks. I’m Alex Shvarts, Founder & CEO of FundKite. For over a decade, I’ve worked directly with thousands of small and mid-sized business owners across the United States, providing working capital when traditional banks said no. On this podcast, I sit down with CEOs, founders, operators, and leaders in alternative finance, fintech, private capital, and business growth to talk about what actually builds durable companies. No hype. No guru talk. Just real conversations about: • Scaling a small business • Working capital strategy • Alternative financing • Risk management • Hiring and firing decisions • Cash flow discipline • Profitable growth • Leadership under pressure • Building partnerships that last If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, startup founder, operator, or executive looking to grow smarter - this show is for you. We talk about what happens when banks say no. We talk about execution. We talk about capital. And we talk about building something real. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another entrepreneur who needs it. When banks say no - there is FundKite. Learn more about alternative business funding at 👉 https://fundkite.com Build smarter. Scale responsibly. Stay unbankable. – Alex Shvarts

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