1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:00,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to my show. 2 00:00:01,240 --> 00:00:04,640 Speaker 2: I'm Rashon McDonald, a host of Money Making Conversations Masterclass, 3 00:00:04,800 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 2: where we encourage people to stop reading other people's success 4 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:10,440 Speaker 2: stories and start planning your own. Now, you don't want 5 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:12,800 Speaker 2: to miss an episode, so please take a moment right 6 00:00:12,840 --> 00:00:16,400 Speaker 2: now to follow or subscribe to Money Making Conversations Masterclass. 7 00:00:16,600 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: It's free. 8 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:21,400 Speaker 2: You can follow me on the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 9 00:00:21,520 --> 00:00:24,439 Speaker 2: or wherever you listen to your podcast. New money Making 10 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 2: Conversations Masterclass episodes drop daily. I want to keep you 11 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 2: on alert because my guests provide tips on how you 12 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:34,839 Speaker 2: can uplift your community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or 13 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 2: advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Now, let's 14 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 2: get this podcast started. My guest is President and chief 15 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 2: executive officer of the Business Consortium Fund and try Ad Investments. 16 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:51,680 Speaker 2: I am Mission Drivemner and Linda committed to delivering capital 17 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:56,639 Speaker 2: to achieve social impact to Community Development Finance. BCF can 18 00:00:56,680 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 2: issue loans as small as twenty five thousand dollars and 19 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 2: up to one point five million dollars and is authorized 20 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:07,399 Speaker 2: to lend throughout the US. Please welcome to Money Making Conversation. 21 00:01:07,720 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 2: A person I've known a long time and we've had 22 00:01:09,800 --> 00:01:12,600 Speaker 2: many discussions about this, Sarah Halpern. 23 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:15,840 Speaker 3: How you doing, Sarah, I'm doing so great. It's always 24 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 3: so good to see you. Sean, so glad to be here. 25 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:20,640 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, give every a little background on 26 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 2: you so we can really get a clear understanding of 27 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 2: your commitment to our community, especially people of color, and 28 00:01:27,200 --> 00:01:28,920 Speaker 2: that's what attracted to be. I met you at the 29 00:01:29,160 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 2: National Minorities Supply to Development Council, say about four years ago, 30 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 2: and we've been You've been on my show before being 31 00:01:37,319 --> 00:01:39,400 Speaker 2: have an interview, and I've been trying to get you back, 32 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:41,520 Speaker 2: and I finally have you back, Sarah. So I'm happy 33 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,839 Speaker 2: updaters on who you are and what you're doing right now. 34 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 3: Absolutely, BCF is a community development financial institution. We have 35 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 3: a dual purpose that's built right into our name, blending 36 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:05,320 Speaker 3: and community development, Sir Rashan, As you probably know more 37 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:10,239 Speaker 3: than anyone else, there are over thirty six million small 38 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 3: businesses in America and I'm going to guess most of 39 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:18,239 Speaker 3: them have never even heard of a CDFI like BCF. 40 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 3: So that is the problem because CDFIs like us exist 41 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 3: specifically for the small business owner, right, the small business 42 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:31,760 Speaker 3: owner who walked into a bank who got told no 43 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 3: and thought that that was the end of their road, 44 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 3: and we're here to tell you it wasn't. That's where 45 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:41,400 Speaker 3: we come in. Over the past forty years, BCF has 46 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:44,359 Speaker 3: put in about two hundred and thirty million dollars into 47 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:48,399 Speaker 3: businesses that the traditional system has passed over, and we're 48 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 3: trying to get the secret out today that we exist. 49 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 3: And when I met you four years ago, I was 50 00:02:54,360 --> 00:02:58,280 Speaker 3: just at the beginning of this journey of revamping and 51 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:02,160 Speaker 3: reinvigorating this company. And I'm happy to say we are 52 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:04,760 Speaker 3: well on the path and we are solving so many 53 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:10,520 Speaker 3: problems that that small businesses are facing today in this 54 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:17,880 Speaker 3: very unique environment, the post COVID environment, the environment of tariffs, 55 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:22,079 Speaker 3: of economic contraction and uncertainty. We are here to meet 56 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:23,280 Speaker 3: this moment cool. 57 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:25,280 Speaker 1: Thank you for that update there, Sarah. 58 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 2: Sarah, when you talk about small businesses, you know just 59 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 2: there's always issues with a small business because of the 60 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,720 Speaker 2: fact that you know how you put it together, how 61 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:36,880 Speaker 2: you staff, did you have a budget, did you have 62 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 2: legal paperwork signed correctly? Do you have accounting or in 63 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 2: place so you'll know how to how your money is 64 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 2: being spent and all how you can project your money 65 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 2: and dealing with small business. Tell us the maybe top 66 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:55,560 Speaker 2: three things that you notice the eras the small businesses 67 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 2: create that stop them from getting the loan or doing 68 00:03:58,440 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 2: business with you. 69 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 3: Yes, so a lot of small businesses, many small businesses 70 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:11,240 Speaker 3: are focused on their work right, they know exactly how 71 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 3: to run their business. What they're not always thinking about 72 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 3: is capital. So what's what One thing that's very important 73 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,040 Speaker 3: to know is that we meet business owners every day 74 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:28,960 Speaker 3: who we call almost loan ready. There may be capital curious. 75 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 3: They know they need capital to grow their business, but 76 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 3: they haven't set themselves up yet to be capital ready. 77 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 3: So we like to help those businesses by by steering 78 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 3: them into our technical assistance programs to get them where 79 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 3: they need to be. So we you know that and 80 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 3: that also goes for these capital curious businesses. But what 81 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,960 Speaker 3: we also call the pre lending stage, right, we want 82 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,279 Speaker 3: want to set up these businesses to succeed. 83 00:05:03,320 --> 00:05:04,359 Speaker 1: That would be really interesting. 84 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 2: I always whenever I hear a company like yours in 85 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 2: this case you're a nonprofit, you know it lends. You know, 86 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:14,680 Speaker 2: you lend a businesses that a bank won't touch. Or 87 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:19,040 Speaker 2: can't touch. How do let me say this correctly, Why 88 00:05:19,080 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 2: do you do it? And how can you do it? 89 00:05:22,080 --> 00:05:27,040 Speaker 3: Hmm, Well, why do we do it? Is a matter 90 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,600 Speaker 3: of me personally. It's a matter of economic security for 91 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 3: people in my community and the communities outside of my community, 92 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 3: and all of us need to be thinking about how 93 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 3: are we strengthening the American economy so that more businesses 94 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:49,239 Speaker 3: that can succeed. And when business, when small businesses succeed, 95 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 3: you have the success of the business owner of the 96 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:56,000 Speaker 3: people in uh who are who work for that business. 97 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 3: But also what we see a PCF and what we 98 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 3: find so exciting is we're geting small businesses ready to 99 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 3: participate in supply chains of large corporations. So those large, 100 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 3: large corporations also benefit because now they have you know, 101 00:06:13,520 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 3: the it person, the grounds person, they have the contract lawyer, 102 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:22,359 Speaker 3: they have all of these businesses to choose from to 103 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 3: strengthen their economy. So I really see this as part 104 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 3: of the fabric of the American economy. You also asked 105 00:06:30,200 --> 00:06:38,040 Speaker 3: about banks. So often we are working with businesses who 106 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 3: have been turned down by a bank, right, and we 107 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:47,200 Speaker 3: end up being the bridge between where the business is 108 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:52,679 Speaker 3: today and where the opportunity is bringing in those various players. 109 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 3: I just talked about local economies, large corporations, and large 110 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:02,800 Speaker 3: lending institutions. So a lot of times banks are going 111 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:07,160 Speaker 3: to turn have turned down the barrowers we're talking to, right, right. 112 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 3: Why do they do that? Mm hmm. There are many reasons. 113 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: One of the. 114 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 3: Reasons that banks have regulatory requirements. They have to follow 115 00:07:19,400 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 3: certain underwriting standards. Right, that's one. Let's just say that's 116 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:27,560 Speaker 3: one of the reasons. And when a business older doesn't 117 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:31,720 Speaker 3: meet those standards, the responsible bankers are saying, I can't 118 00:07:31,720 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 3: help you today, but let me connect you with somebody 119 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 3: who can't like BCF. Right, So, our bank partners are 120 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 3: sending us really wonderful clients who have may have had 121 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,520 Speaker 3: a down year, they may have had two down years, 122 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,640 Speaker 3: but we see they have a contract, they have promise, 123 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 3: they have growth. So when they call us, we are 124 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 3: completing the ecosystem. We are connecting the dots. And when 125 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 3: a business graduates from BCF, they you know, they've built 126 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:05,560 Speaker 3: their credit, they've built their business, they've grown their revenue, 127 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,000 Speaker 3: they've established a track record. Then they can go back 128 00:08:09,000 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 3: to that bank to get those loans over one and 129 00:08:11,280 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 3: a half million dollars because they're now a qualified borrowwork. 130 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 3: So what we see is that everybody can win. 131 00:08:17,120 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: What's great. I'm talking to Sarah Helpin. Help her. 132 00:08:20,400 --> 00:08:24,239 Speaker 2: She's the president and CEO or the Business Consortium Fund 133 00:08:24,560 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 2: and Try and Investments. This is about being able to 134 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 2: save the community when people come to you. Because I 135 00:08:31,560 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 2: want people to hear this interview, how can they get 136 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:35,679 Speaker 2: in touch with y'all? Would like to get that at 137 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:37,920 Speaker 2: early because that doesn't mean everybody going to stick to 138 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:40,160 Speaker 2: the end of the interview. So how can one get 139 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:40,680 Speaker 2: in touch with you? 140 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:44,640 Speaker 3: Yeah? Great, Well, the easiest way to find us is 141 00:08:44,679 --> 00:08:51,000 Speaker 3: to go to BCF capital dot com. That's Business Consortion 142 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:56,080 Speaker 3: Fund b CF bcfcapital dot com. There you can learn 143 00:08:56,120 --> 00:09:00,240 Speaker 3: about everything that we do, whether you need help getting 144 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:02,960 Speaker 3: ready for a loan, whether you're ready to submit a 145 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 3: loan package, whether you just want to chat with one 146 00:09:05,920 --> 00:09:08,360 Speaker 3: of us and get to know you know what we 147 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:11,360 Speaker 3: do and how we do it. That's the first entree 148 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 3: is bcfcapital dot com. 149 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 2: Okay, well, and here you talk Sarah. I'm almost feel 150 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 2: like I'm talking. 151 00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 1: To s b A. You know, what is the difference 152 00:09:21,120 --> 00:09:23,200 Speaker 1: between s B A and b CF. 153 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 3: Oh my gosh, there are so many, so many different 154 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:33,320 Speaker 3: different different differentiators between uh b CF and the SBA. 155 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:40,520 Speaker 3: So the s b A the Small Business Administration, Right, 156 00:09:41,320 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 3: the SBA is a government entity. So as a government entity, 157 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 3: it really is supposed to be there to help small businesses. 158 00:09:52,160 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 3: But I'm going to say that it depends. It depends 159 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 3: on you know, who is the who the administration is, 160 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 3: who is leading the government. The SBA is going to 161 00:10:08,480 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 3: change how they're responding to small business needs depending on 162 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:20,679 Speaker 3: who is leading the government administration. Now, BCF is a 163 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 3: certified standalone nonprofit community development financial institution. We are funded 164 00:10:31,520 --> 00:10:37,079 Speaker 3: by private organizations, private entities, mostly banks, and I think 165 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 3: a lot of people will be surprised to hear that. 166 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 3: So a lot of our funders are the big banks 167 00:10:41,559 --> 00:10:45,560 Speaker 3: you've heard of there, Wells, Fargo, JP, Morgan, Chase, Fifth 168 00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 3: Third Bank, Co America, US Bank. These are some of 169 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,560 Speaker 3: our most important partners. They fund us. Why do they 170 00:10:54,600 --> 00:10:59,400 Speaker 3: fund us? People may wonder they fund us because there 171 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,599 Speaker 3: was an Act of Congress back in the seventies that 172 00:11:01,679 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 3: said banks have to make loans in all the communities 173 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:09,640 Speaker 3: where they take in deposits, and so these banks rely 174 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:14,600 Speaker 3: on CDFIs like BCF to deliver their capital into the 175 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:19,520 Speaker 3: communities because we are specialized. We are looking at small 176 00:11:19,559 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 3: businesses from a specialized lens, from a community development lens. 177 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 3: So the banks trust us to make loans in the 178 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 3: communities where they are required to do business. Now I 179 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:32,079 Speaker 3: see a question. 180 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 2: Well, there's the first of all, that's I'm glad you 181 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:39,320 Speaker 2: are pausing because they see the possibility of doing businesses 182 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 2: business with these small businesses. There's a reluctancy. It's a 183 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 2: reluctancy because they are traded on the stock market. Is 184 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,640 Speaker 2: a really reluctancy because they have this this you know, 185 00:11:51,720 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 2: like you said, there are they are there. They are 186 00:11:53,679 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 2: points of why I will give a person loan. There 187 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 2: are points of why I won't give a person loan, 188 00:11:58,559 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 2: and so our loan. 189 00:11:59,840 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 1: So when a. 190 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 2: Pass that lead over to you BCF, which is a lead, 191 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 2: and this relationship you have with the bank, how does 192 00:12:07,960 --> 00:12:11,520 Speaker 2: that come back? Does that same lead come back to 193 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:14,280 Speaker 2: that same bank, or it can go to another bank. 194 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 3: It can go wherever, it can go wherever. But the 195 00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:22,840 Speaker 3: reason that banks aren't making these loans are many folds. Okay, 196 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 3: And we could have a whole two hour conversation about 197 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 3: why banks aren't making loans to these small businesses, but 198 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:36,199 Speaker 3: to encapsulate it. Underwriting small businesses that have had challenge, 199 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:40,679 Speaker 3: that have faced and overcome challenges is a very time 200 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 3: consuming business. Banks are churning through applications. A lot of 201 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:50,040 Speaker 3: things are online. They're not giving the personal attention to 202 00:12:50,120 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 3: these small businesses that's required. They may also may not 203 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:59,280 Speaker 3: have the specialized underwriting capacity that we have built so 204 00:12:59,400 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 3: our the running capacity at BCF, we are looking at 205 00:13:02,960 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 3: We're not just looking at your FIGHTO score and saying 206 00:13:06,360 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 3: yes or no. We're not just looking at you know, 207 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:11,080 Speaker 3: your cash flow and saying yes or now. We're looking 208 00:13:11,160 --> 00:13:15,640 Speaker 3: at you as a full entity, with your experience, your partners, 209 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 3: what you've overcome. Some of our borrowers we say they've 210 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:23,400 Speaker 3: stared into the abyss of you know, the challenges that 211 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 3: they've overcome. A bank is not going to look at 212 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 3: that and say, Wow, this individual, this entrepreneur has overcome 213 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 3: and they still maintain their credit and they still pay. 214 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:41,760 Speaker 3: They'll look at the negative. BCF will look at the positive. Now, 215 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 3: I do want to talk for a moment about the SBA. 216 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 2: Mm hmm, Okay, so who are who are wrongfully compare 217 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 2: to the BCF. 218 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: Let's go and get that. The one said that we are. 219 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 3: One hundred percent separate from from the and. 220 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:00,640 Speaker 2: But I have to say, this is SBA. I heard 221 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:04,160 Speaker 2: of SBA from a marketing standpoint. Why am I not 222 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 2: here in the BCL because there are meanings advantages of 223 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:12,440 Speaker 2: why I should probably go to you first, befirrest before 224 00:14:12,520 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 2: wasting my time at SBA, which a lot of small 225 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 2: business owners of color can be frustrated and then walk 226 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:22,920 Speaker 2: away from their dreams because they've been turned down at 227 00:14:22,920 --> 00:14:25,920 Speaker 2: the SBA. Now let's talk about the differences. 228 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 3: I want to focus on the differences that have emerged 229 00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,920 Speaker 3: recently because at the time, the SBA was a good 230 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 3: place to go for the small businesses that we serve. Okay, 231 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:45,479 Speaker 3: things changed recently. So in June twenty five, the SBA 232 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:52,120 Speaker 3: closed the door to using their loans to refinance merchant 233 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 3: cash advances. Do you know what if merchant cash advances? No? 234 00:14:55,160 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 3: Do not. Your listeners may know. 235 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 2: Hopefully they know, Well, I said, just because I don't know, 236 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,680 Speaker 2: because I've never needed that cash advance because I'm in 237 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 2: the that's normally news needed for people who need supplies 238 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 2: people in construction, and I'm not there. I'm in the 239 00:15:12,440 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 2: marketing business, absolutely I will. 240 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 3: I'll explain it to you and I'll explain it to 241 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 3: your listeners as well. An mc a loan is something 242 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 3: that is marketed aggressively to people too small businesses. It's 243 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 3: a way to get cash very quickly with a very 244 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:34,320 Speaker 3: light underwriting and a very high cost. So if you 245 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 3: ever hear you can get you can get cash in 246 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,920 Speaker 3: three days, you can get cash in five days, right, 247 00:15:43,120 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 3: walk or run, don't walk away from that person, because 248 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:52,120 Speaker 3: merchant cash advance lenders are trying to to to provide 249 00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 3: capital at a very high cost. And if you're desperate, 250 00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 3: because you need to pay tariffs to to be able 251 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 3: to get your you know, your your goods off the 252 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:05,360 Speaker 3: boat or you know, off of the you know, into 253 00:16:05,400 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 3: your own hands, you may take a merchant cash advance 254 00:16:08,520 --> 00:16:12,520 Speaker 3: loan because you're not you haven't you haven't prepared yourself 255 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:18,960 Speaker 3: for capital. So they are often used as a lifeline 256 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 3: to quick to quick money. But then a business owner 257 00:16:22,720 --> 00:16:25,880 Speaker 3: will find him or herself stuck. So you're paying high 258 00:16:25,960 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 3: interest rates on a big load of cash, and the 259 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 3: SBA is not going to be able to refinance you 260 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 3: now or ever. Because you've taken on a merchant cash 261 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,640 Speaker 3: and advance loan, it's seen as a red flag mm hm. 262 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:42,240 Speaker 3: So if you as a small business owner right now, 263 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:44,480 Speaker 3: and I'm talking to all of your listeners, if you're 264 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 3: sitting on an m c A loan right now and 265 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 3: you feel stuck, you are not stuck. There are options. 266 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:56,360 Speaker 3: BCF is one of them. Other CDFIs around the country 267 00:16:56,480 --> 00:17:01,360 Speaker 3: are also uh providing that kind of escape patch. Okay, 268 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 3: so now that is one change with the SBAY. Also, 269 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:12,240 Speaker 3: you'll see interest rates are going up or down. Their 270 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 3: underwriting criteria may titan, may loosen, depending on the administration. 271 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:20,560 Speaker 3: Right now is a tough time I think for small 272 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:27,160 Speaker 3: business owners to access SBA money. But that's where CDFIs 273 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 3: can come in. 274 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 2: Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more 275 00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 2: Money Making Conversations master class. No need for you to 276 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:37,840 Speaker 2: do me a favor right now to follow or subscribe 277 00:17:37,880 --> 00:17:41,160 Speaker 2: to Money Making Conversation. It's free and you can find 278 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:45,920 Speaker 2: it on the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 279 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:49,479 Speaker 2: you get your podcasts. Please do me that favor, follow 280 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:56,680 Speaker 2: or subscribe money Making Conversations. Welcome back to Money Making 281 00:17:56,680 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 2: Conversations master Class with me Rashaun McDonald. Well, you know, 282 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:06,720 Speaker 2: the interesting thing about this whole process is that Donald 283 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:10,960 Speaker 2: Trump administration, that's who made the tariffs, which is now 284 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:17,719 Speaker 2: into basically his second year, and no one planned for that. 285 00:18:17,800 --> 00:18:21,160 Speaker 2: No one saw that. Now then they turn around and 286 00:18:21,240 --> 00:18:26,120 Speaker 2: said the tariffs were not legal, But doesn't mean that 287 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:27,680 Speaker 2: the terrffs that you. 288 00:18:27,640 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: Have paid have went away. 289 00:18:29,480 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 2: And so now you have businesses who have taken out 290 00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:34,960 Speaker 2: these loans that may have not needed to take out 291 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,400 Speaker 2: these loans, but they had to take out the loans 292 00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 2: because guess what, they had to get the goods they 293 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:45,199 Speaker 2: needed to run their businesses. So you are assuming operate 294 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:48,560 Speaker 2: as a counselor too these people who are going through 295 00:18:48,600 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 2: a lot of emotional and mental ups and downs. 296 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:56,000 Speaker 1: Is that true, Sarah? 297 00:18:56,040 --> 00:19:04,080 Speaker 3: Absolutely? An uncertain environment. It is very challenging to keep 298 00:19:04,119 --> 00:19:07,119 Speaker 3: your bearings as a small business owner right, and we 299 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 3: see that all the time. I can give you an. 300 00:19:10,200 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: Example, thank you, please do. 301 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, So I'm going to talk about one of our clients. 302 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:23,240 Speaker 3: His name is Josh Snard and he has a product 303 00:19:23,400 --> 00:19:27,480 Speaker 3: that's called the Cut Buddy. It is a shark tank 304 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:28,439 Speaker 3: success story. 305 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 1: I've heard of that, yeah, a lot. 306 00:19:30,440 --> 00:19:34,199 Speaker 3: Of people have. And Josh is an amazing entrepreneur. He 307 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 3: started when he was very, very young. He is sharp, 308 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:43,480 Speaker 3: he is successful, and he got hit with eight hundred 309 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:48,160 Speaker 3: thousand dollars in tariff bills almost overnight. 310 00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: Eight hundred thousand. 311 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:55,119 Speaker 3: Yes. Meanwhile he's trying to stock the shelves at Walmart 312 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:59,240 Speaker 3: and Target and CBS with his product. So how can 313 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 3: he do both? What did he do? He turned to 314 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:05,480 Speaker 3: a merchant cash advance out of desperation, and he ended 315 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:09,200 Speaker 3: up with one point two million dollars in debt. Okay, 316 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:13,640 Speaker 3: one point two million. If you can imagine one point 317 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:16,920 Speaker 3: two million dollars in debt with a high interest rate, 318 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:21,040 Speaker 3: it is tens of thousands of dollars in interest he's 319 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:27,120 Speaker 3: paying every month. Okay. But he came to us and 320 00:20:27,480 --> 00:20:31,960 Speaker 3: we were able to work with our partners and refinance 321 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 3: his debt into a manageable five year loan. So he 322 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:39,679 Speaker 3: didn't lose his business. He is still growing. And that 323 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,680 Speaker 3: is just one of the examples of what mission a 324 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:47,359 Speaker 3: lined lending looks like in real life. I mean, Josh, 325 00:20:47,440 --> 00:20:49,879 Speaker 3: he did with a lot of small visitors' owners would 326 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 3: do in a crisis. He moved fast, not realizing that 327 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 3: these SBA or these MCA loans would create so much 328 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 3: trus for him down the road. Luckily, we had a 329 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 3: relationship with him already and we're help now. 330 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:10,560 Speaker 2: She can say she is the president and shef executive Officer. 331 00:21:11,240 --> 00:21:16,880 Speaker 2: Business Consortium as BCF is at BCF capital dot com. 332 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 2: Is the website BCF capital dot com if you want 333 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 2: to find out more information about our company that can 334 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:25,920 Speaker 2: issue loans to small businesses of people of color from 335 00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 2: twenty five thousand as lords that up to one point 336 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:32,000 Speaker 2: five million dollars and is authorized. That's why I have 337 00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:34,640 Speaker 2: on the show, Ladies and Gentlemen. She's authorized to lend 338 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 2: throughout the US. Now when we talk about frustration, you 339 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:40,240 Speaker 2: talk about bad loans. 340 00:21:40,359 --> 00:21:42,239 Speaker 1: How did he find out about you? 341 00:21:42,280 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 3: Guys? 342 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:44,320 Speaker 1: Again, that goes but that's why you're on the show. 343 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: You know that, Sarah. We've talked about it. 344 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 2: We've sat down at launch talk about how can we 345 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 2: tell more and more people about BCF because you're more 346 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:54,879 Speaker 2: than a life's line, your friend to the business. I 347 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:58,000 Speaker 2: remember when we was at the National Minorities and Flight 348 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:01,919 Speaker 2: Development council. You know, you was pointing out different businesses 349 00:22:01,960 --> 00:22:04,879 Speaker 2: that you not only recently were in business with, but 350 00:22:05,280 --> 00:22:09,280 Speaker 2: years ago you like kick started these businesses where they 351 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 2: are multi million dollar businesses. 352 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,480 Speaker 1: They're employing over all hundreds of people. 353 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 2: When you see that journey, So I'm just giving you 354 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:21,639 Speaker 2: guys who are listening or watching this, that her conversation 355 00:22:21,840 --> 00:22:25,080 Speaker 2: is not a new conversation. Her conversation. She's been there 356 00:22:25,160 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 2: watching these businesses that she initiated loans would grow. How 357 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:30,879 Speaker 2: does that make you feel, Sarah? When you see that 358 00:22:31,119 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 2: and like you were casually pointing out these very very 359 00:22:34,160 --> 00:22:37,760 Speaker 2: successful businesses that you kind of like give them their 360 00:22:37,800 --> 00:22:38,439 Speaker 2: seed money. 361 00:22:41,160 --> 00:22:45,879 Speaker 3: You can see the smile on my I mean, nothing 362 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:51,200 Speaker 3: makes me happier than seeing these clients succeed and seeing 363 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:55,440 Speaker 3: these clients realize their dreams. And that's you know, that's 364 00:22:55,440 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 3: why we wake up every day and do what we do. 365 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:00,240 Speaker 2: Let me this question, Sarah, cause I want to sure 366 00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,320 Speaker 2: I get the right name, because I probably should have 367 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 2: came to you guys when we had this contract. Their 368 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:09,919 Speaker 2: businesses out there are called Factoring Factory. Okay, cool, Okay, 369 00:23:10,160 --> 00:23:12,959 Speaker 2: let's give my backstory. You know, so we were just 370 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:15,160 Speaker 2: like she said, you know, we got this big government 371 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 2: contract and we hired a staff because we didn't really 372 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:23,640 Speaker 2: have a staff to handle a contract this big. I mean, 373 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:27,679 Speaker 2: we was responsible for marketing the entire United States and 374 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:31,680 Speaker 2: Puerto Rico recruitment platforms. We had to do one hundred 375 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,800 Speaker 2: and thirty five events under this contract, and guess what, 376 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:37,639 Speaker 2: we didn't have the money. So we went to a 377 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 2: factoring country company now and they were able to DISI 378 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 2: factoring company works. They give you money and then they 379 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:47,000 Speaker 2: take part of the money, and then the money has 380 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:47,439 Speaker 2: to go. 381 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:49,160 Speaker 1: Through them and they basically pay you. 382 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:52,440 Speaker 2: So basically they kind of take control of your contract 383 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:53,840 Speaker 2: and then they give you money. 384 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:55,400 Speaker 1: So you have a. 385 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 2: Contract, but you don't have You do not have control 386 00:23:58,600 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 2: of the flow of the money of the contract, and 387 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:07,359 Speaker 2: so how could I are now I understand you, And 388 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,280 Speaker 2: it's really interesting. As many years I've talked to you, 389 00:24:10,640 --> 00:24:13,359 Speaker 2: finally realized I should have been talking to BCF because 390 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:15,600 Speaker 2: I went to a factory company even though I didn't 391 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,359 Speaker 2: have the relationship to when I had the contract offered 392 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:21,800 Speaker 2: to me. But you exactly what you're saying I should 393 00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,800 Speaker 2: be doing. I should be talking to you a better relationship, 394 00:24:25,119 --> 00:24:27,639 Speaker 2: had a business model that will give me more of 395 00:24:27,640 --> 00:24:29,080 Speaker 2: my money than I was giving away. 396 00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:33,920 Speaker 3: Correct, Yes, that's correct, that you should have talked to us. 397 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:37,920 Speaker 3: Now I do want to say that you should talk 398 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:41,439 Speaker 3: to factoring companies. You should talk to banks, You should 399 00:24:41,440 --> 00:24:44,919 Speaker 3: talk to credit unions, and you should talk to BCF, 400 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:50,840 Speaker 3: and you should have your You or any business should 401 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 3: go to multiple lenders with your financial pitch book that 402 00:24:56,680 --> 00:25:00,800 Speaker 3: has you know, your most recent banks stamens, your most 403 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:06,600 Speaker 3: recent tax returns, and uh the items that paint a 404 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:08,879 Speaker 3: financial picture, and see who's going to give you the 405 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:12,800 Speaker 3: best deal? Right, So, who's going to give you the 406 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:18,639 Speaker 3: longest term debt with the cheapest interest rate and the 407 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:22,480 Speaker 3: fewest strings attached? That's what we want. So it could 408 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:26,159 Speaker 3: be BCF, it might be the factoring company. Probably not, 409 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:30,480 Speaker 3: but it could be right. Right, So you need to 410 00:25:30,560 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 3: go and do your homework and understand what's up, and 411 00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:37,879 Speaker 3: you need to be the chooser. Right. You want to 412 00:25:37,920 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 3: have all the information and you want to make the 413 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 3: choice you want to take. You want to have the 414 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:44,000 Speaker 3: power in your hands to make the best decisions. 415 00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 2: Let me answ you this because now we're talking about 416 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 2: not really understand this relationship. Now, when I had the 417 00:25:49,440 --> 00:25:52,359 Speaker 2: when the factor and company came to us, they wanted 418 00:25:52,359 --> 00:25:54,840 Speaker 2: a copy ab out contract that we have. 419 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:58,880 Speaker 1: Now, if I came to BCF, what would you want 420 00:25:58,880 --> 00:25:59,119 Speaker 1: from me? 421 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:01,640 Speaker 2: Because basically, like I said, they took control of our 422 00:26:01,680 --> 00:26:04,320 Speaker 2: contract from a financial saying that they didn't do anything 423 00:26:04,359 --> 00:26:07,160 Speaker 2: wrong with Ladies and Jim first of all, but that's 424 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:09,440 Speaker 2: how they do business. They want to copy your contractor 425 00:26:09,440 --> 00:26:11,840 Speaker 2: they can verify, then the money flows through them, then 426 00:26:11,840 --> 00:26:14,000 Speaker 2: they take their percentage and they pay us the rest. 427 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:17,119 Speaker 2: How would I would have done business with BCF in 428 00:26:17,119 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 2: that same situation, Sarah? 429 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:22,800 Speaker 3: The factoring company looked only at your contract. They valued 430 00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:26,680 Speaker 3: the contract right right, and they said, okay, this contract 431 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:29,359 Speaker 3: has legs. You are going to be paid yes, and 432 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:31,320 Speaker 3: that means we're going to be paid yes. That's what 433 00:26:31,359 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 3: the contracting company said. When you come to BCF, we're 434 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:37,840 Speaker 3: going to look at all you got or we're gonna 435 00:26:37,880 --> 00:26:41,600 Speaker 3: look at do you have other real estate, do you 436 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:45,920 Speaker 3: have other income? What is your uh what's your history 437 00:26:45,960 --> 00:26:48,240 Speaker 3: of repaying debt? Do you do a good job with that? 438 00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:52,920 Speaker 3: Are you overextended or are you just right? We don't 439 00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:56,320 Speaker 3: want to take we don't want to. We don't want 440 00:26:56,359 --> 00:27:01,880 Speaker 3: to only rely on one contract to be repaid. What 441 00:27:01,960 --> 00:27:05,760 Speaker 3: we want to look at is you as a whole entrepreneur, 442 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:10,640 Speaker 3: and if we can take collateral, we will do that. 443 00:27:11,160 --> 00:27:13,960 Speaker 3: If we see that your business is throwing off money 444 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,000 Speaker 3: in these other ways and we feel pretty safe and 445 00:27:17,040 --> 00:27:19,879 Speaker 3: we know you right, we have a relationship with you, 446 00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:23,440 Speaker 3: we trust you, we see you, know what you've done 447 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:27,960 Speaker 3: to grow your business, then we can we can underwrite. 448 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:30,880 Speaker 3: We could underwrite the entire business and not just rely 449 00:27:31,040 --> 00:27:33,560 Speaker 3: on that one contract, and you'll often end up in 450 00:27:33,600 --> 00:27:34,800 Speaker 3: a better situation that way. 451 00:27:35,000 --> 00:27:36,960 Speaker 1: Cool. Well, she's wonderful. 452 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:41,360 Speaker 2: She's the president and chief executive offer of Business Consortium 453 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:44,200 Speaker 2: Fund and Try Investment. Sarah, thanks for coming on Money 454 00:27:44,240 --> 00:27:47,280 Speaker 2: Made Conversations and more important, like I said, create a 455 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 2: relationship with somebody you could trust and I trust Sarah. 456 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:53,840 Speaker 2: Thanks Sarah, Thank you for listening to this episode. No 457 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:56,680 Speaker 2: need for you to do me a favor right now 458 00:27:56,800 --> 00:28:00,960 Speaker 2: to follow our subscribe to Money Making Conversation's free and 459 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:05,680 Speaker 2: you can find it on the iHeartRadio app, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, 460 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:07,640 Speaker 2: or wherever you get your podcasts. 461 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:09,000 Speaker 1: Please do me that favor. 462 00:28:09,480 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 2: Follow a subscribe money Making conversations keep winning