Unbankable with Alex Shvarts

Alex Shvarts

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

  1. Aug 7

    From Pitbull to House of Mac | How to Build an $8M Business After Music Industry

    What does it take to walk away from a dream career and bet everything on yourself? I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Chef Teach (Derrick Turton), founder of House of Mac, to talk about entrepreneurship, business funding, cash flow, legacy, and why building your own business is completely different from building someone else’s success. Before launching House of Mac, Derrick spent nearly two decades in the music industry working alongside global artists, including Pitbull, A$AP Rocky, and Yo Gotti. Then he walked away from it all to start a food truck. If you’re building a business, growing a brand, or looking for business funding to expand, this conversation is for you. In this episode: * Leaving the music industry to build House of Mac* Working with Pitbull, A$AP Rocky and major artists* Why legacy matters more than money* Losing nearly $100K on the first food truck* Turning one truck into millions in revenue* Surviving COVID as a restaurant owner* Why banks fail many entrepreneurs* Business funding vs traditional bank loans* Cash flow lessons every business owner should know* Scaling without losing your brand* Why relationships outperform advertising* Entrepreneurship, resilience and betting on yourself Need fast, flexible business funding to grow your business? 📞 877-502-5003🌐 FundKite.com Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs who refuse to take no for an answer.

    From Pitbull to House of Mac | How to Build an $8M Business After Music Industry
  2. Aug 4

    Building Hype Miami | The Truth About Retail, Cash Flow & Business Growth

    Can you turn a sneaker hustle into a real business? I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Yuriy Kolesnyk, co-founder of Hype Miami, to discuss entrepreneurship, retail, inventory management, cash flow, business funding, and what it really takes to build a premium brand in one of the world’s most competitive markets. Yuriy shares how he started with a $400 student credit card, built a sneaker resale business, lost six figures during his first year in retail, and transformed Hype Miami into one of South Florida’s most recognized luxury sneaker and streetwear destinations. If you’re building a retail business, growing an e-commerce brand, or looking for smarter ways to finance growth, this episode is packed with practical lessons. In this episode: * How Hype Miami was built from scratch* Starting with a $400 credit card* Sneaker resale and building a wholesale business* Why retail is completely different from wholesale* Losing six figures during the first year* Inventory management and cash flow* Pricing strategy and profit margins* Customer experience as a competitive advantage* AI tools for running a business* Business funding mistakes entrepreneurs make* Shopify Capital vs other funding options* Why relationships create long-term success Need fast, flexible business funding to grow your business? 📞 877-502-5003🌐 FundKite.com Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs building businesses without waiting for permission.

    Building Hype Miami | The Truth About Retail, Cash Flow & Business Growth
  3. Jul 28

    How Relationships Build Million-Dollar Businesses | Bebe Lewis on Branding, Trust & Success

    Is business success really about money… or is it about the relationships you build? I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur, media executive, and Circle House Studios CEO BB Lewis to talk about building influence, creating valuable relationships, and why trust will always outperform attention. BB shares how he built multiple businesses without relying on traditional paths, why media is one of the most valuable assets you can own, and how entrepreneurs can create opportunities by becoming indispensable instead of chasing followers. If you’re building a business, growing your brand, or looking for business funding to scale your next opportunity, this conversation is for you. In this episode: • Why relationships are more valuable than followers• Building influence before chasing attention• The power of trust in business• Why media creates leverage• How networking opens real opportunities• Lessons from the music industry• Creative business funding strategies• Why entrepreneurs should own their audience If your business needs business funding, working capital, or revenue-based financing, FundKite helps businesses access capital quickly with a simple application process. 📞 877-502-5003🌐 FundKite.com Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, and business leaders who refuse to take no for an answer.

    How Relationships Build Million-Dollar Businesses | Bebe Lewis on Branding, Trust & Success
  4. Jul 24

    How to Monetize a Podcast and Build a Media Business | Gary “GC” Coichy

    Building a podcast or media company requires more than a microphone and a good idea. It takes the right audience, consistent execution, strong relationships, and often access to business funding that can help you hire a team, improve production, market your content, and scale without destroying cash flow. I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, where we help business owners explore alternative business funding when traditional banks cannot provide the speed or flexibility they need. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Gary “GC” Coichy, founder and CEO of POD Digital Media, a podcast network and cultural content marketplace connecting brands with diverse, multicultural, and high-growth audiences. Gary shares how he left the security of corporate media, bootstrapped his company, and built a business that reported 1,586% growth over three years. We talk about: • how to monetize a podcast without chasing sponsors too early• why most new podcasters quit within weeks• how brands choose podcasts and content creators• why audience quality matters more than follower count• when entrepreneurs should hire and fire employees• how Gary built and scaled a media company• why local businesses should consider podcast advertising• how AI is changing podcasting and digital media Gary also explains why a “no” is often only a not yet, why creators must build a real product before asking about money, and how credible voices can still rise above an oversaturated podcast market. Need working capital or business funding to hire, market, purchase equipment, or expand your company? 📞 Call FundKite at 877-502-5003🌐 Visit FundKite.com to explore your business funding options. 👉 Subscribe to the channel for more honest conversations about business funding, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, media, and building companies that last. Be honest: would you keep creating content for a year if it made you absolutely no money?

    How to Monetize a Podcast and Build a Media Business | Gary “GC” Coichy
  5. Jul 21

    Why Entrepreneurs Burn Out (And How to Stop It) Explained by a Therapist

    Business funding is never just about money — it’s about the pressure, fear, and decisions entrepreneurs carry while trying to keep growing. I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and after working with thousands of business owners looking for working capital, growth capital, and fast business funding, I’ve seen how financial pressure can quickly become emotional pressure. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with therapist and entrepreneur Mayaa Fley, founder of Maya Wellness Institute, to talk about entrepreneur burnout, anxiety, nervous system regulation, and why many business problems become emotional before they become financial. In this conversation we discuss: • why entrepreneurs stay in survival mode• how anxiety affects business decisions• why childhood experiences shape leadership• the connection between money and self-worth• burnout warning signs every founder should know• how therapy helps high performers• EMDR therapy explained• balancing business, family, and mental health• why vulnerability creates stronger leaders• how purpose changes the way you build a business If you’re growing a business, scaling your company, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of entrepreneurship, this conversation may completely change how you think about success. If your business needs working capital, growth capital, or fast business funding, our team at FundKite is here to help. 📞 Call (807) 502-5003🌐 Visit FundKite.com to explore funding options for your business. Subscribe for more conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership, business funding, psychology, and building successful companies.

    Why Entrepreneurs Burn Out (And How to Stop It) Explained by a Therapist
  6. Jul 14

    The Truth About Building Multiple Businesses at Once

    Business funding can help you start, grow, and scale, but if you’re building multiple businesses at once, the real question is whether you have a plan or just a fantasy. 💰 I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and I’ve seen thousands of entrepreneurs apply for business funding, working capital, and growth capital while trying to expand, diversify, or launch something completely new. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Gina It — entrepreneur, real estate professional, product creator, fashion designer, and founder behind projects like TLC Vitamins, Jellybox Ventures, and VGO Fashion. Gina’s story is about what many entrepreneurs face: big ideas, limited time, funding challenges, rejection, creative ambition, and the pressure of deciding which business deserves your energy. We talk about: 💰 how entrepreneurs fund multiple businesses🏢 why real estate can become a strong cash flow driver📈 how working capital supports growth and new ventures🚀 the difference between smart diversification and being all over the place🎨 turning creative ideas into real products👗 fashion, product design, vitamins, and Miami entrepreneurship📲 how Instagram can drive business relationships🔥 why a fantasy without a plan is just a fantasy🎯 how to know when to keep going — and when to pause At FundKite, we help business owners access business funding and working capital when traditional banks are not the right fit. But money alone does not build a business — the plan, execution, and discipline after the funding matter even more. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations about business funding, working capital, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, and building companies that last. 🎧 Listen to the full Unbankable with Alex Shvarts Podcast on all major audio platforms. What’s harder: getting the idea, getting the funding, or staying focused long enough to make it work? 👀

    The Truth About Building Multiple Businesses at Once
  7. Jun 30

    The 15-Minute Rule That Wins Deals | How DJ Irie Built a Business That Changes Lives

    Business funding, entrepreneurship, working capital, and building a brand all come down to one thing: knowing how to turn your platform into real value. I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with DJ Irie — global entertainer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of the Irie Foundation. This conversation is about more than music. It’s about business, branding, sponsorships, fundraising, leadership, building the right team, and creating something that makes money while making a difference. 💥 DJ Irie shares how he went from performing as a DJ to building Irie Weekend, working with major names, creating long-term sponsor relationships, and using his platform to support underserved youth in South Florida. We talk about: • how to turn passion into a real business• why closing the deal is only the beginning• how to build sponsorships that last• why entrepreneurs need to measure their reach• how to monetize your platform without losing your mission• why team, execution, and overdelivering matter• what business owners can learn from event production• how purpose-driven businesses can stay sustainable• why giving back can become part of a powerful brand If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, creator, event professional, or anyone trying to build a brand that creates real impact — this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe to the channel for more real conversations about business funding, working capital, cash flow, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, and building something that lasts. Question: are you building a business only to make money — or to make an impact too? 👀

    The 15-Minute Rule That Wins Deals | How DJ Irie Built a Business That Changes Lives

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