Unbankable with Alex Shvarts

Why So Many NBA Players Go Broke After Retirement | Mario Chalmers

Business funding, entrepreneurship, investing, and building wealth after a successful career all come down to one thing: having the right team and making smart decisions before the money stops coming. I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite. Every year, thousands of business owners apply for business funding, working capital, and growth capital because they need help scaling their companies, managing cash flow, and creating long-term success. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with two-time NBA Champion Mario Chalmers to talk about life after professional sports, business ownership, investing, leadership, and why many athletes struggle financially after retirement. Mario shares what it was like playing alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and one of the greatest teams in NBA history. More importantly, he shares the lessons he learned transitioning from basketball to business. We discuss: 🏆 life after the NBA 💰 why many professional athletes go broke 📈 investing, business ownership, and wealth building 🚀 how to transition from sports into entrepreneurship 🤝 why building the right team matters 📊 business funding and growth opportunities 🧠 leadership lessons from championship teams 💵 managing money after million-dollar paychecks stop 🎯 how successful entrepreneurs make decisions 🔥 why confidence in sports doesn’t automatically translate to business At FundKite, we work with business owners every day who need business funding, working capital, and growth capital to keep growing. One lesson that applies to both athletes and entrepreneurs is simple: you don’t have to know everything, but you do need the right people around you. If you’re building a business, investing for the future, or trying to create long-term wealth, this conversation is full of lessons that go far beyond basketball. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations about business funding, entrepreneurship, investing, leadership, cash flow, and building successful companies. What’s more difficult: becoming a champion — or staying successful after you’ve already won? 👇

The Healthcare System Is Broken! How Doctors Are Building Businesses Outside the System?

Business owners ask me all the time: How do you grow a business without running out of cash? How do you get business funding when traditional banks say no? How do you get working capital for your business without sacrificing growth? The reality is that every business owner eventually faces the same challenge: access to capital. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Dimitri Gitelmaker to discuss something that applies to every entrepreneur — building a business outside of a broken system. While Dr. Gitelmaker built his practice outside the traditional healthcare model, the lessons apply to every founder, business owner, and entrepreneur trying to scale a company, manage cash flow, build a strong brand, and create long-term value. At FundKite, we’ve helped thousands of businesses secure business funding, working capital, and growth capital when traditional financing wasn’t the right fit. That’s why conversations like this matter. We discuss: 💰 How entrepreneurs build businesses outside traditional systems 📈 Why access to capital can make or break a growing compan 🚀 How to scale a service-based business 🧠 Why every professional eventually becomes a salesperson 🔥 Building a premium brand instead of competing on price 🏥 How concierge medicine became a successful business model 🤖 AI, innovation, and the future of healthcare 📊 The challenges of scaling expertise-driven businesses 👨‍💼Leadership, hiring, delegation, and business growth 💡 What every entrepreneur can learn from doctors, consultants, and service professionals If you’re searching for how to get business funding, how to get funding for your business, how to raise business funding, or how successful founders build companies outside traditional systems, this episode is for you. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations about business funding, working capital, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, and business growth. #alexshvarts #UnbankablePodcast #ConciergeMedicine #HealthcareBusiness

The Insurance Mistake That Can Destroy Your Business

One insurance mistake… and everything you built could disappear overnight. 🚨 I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Ryan Brawner from Plastridge Insurance to talk about the insurance mistakes that destroy businesses every single year. From restaurant fires 🔥 to lawsuits ⚖️ to business interruption nightmares — this conversation breaks down what business owners NEED to understand before it’s too late. We talk about: • why cheap insurance can become the most expensive decision you make • what hospitality owners MUST protect from day one • business interruption insurance explained simply • what happens after a major loss or lawsuit • how insurance brokers actually think • why trust matters more than price in business • sales, risk, relationships, and protecting your future Ryan also shares some CRAZY real-life insurance stories 😂 and practical advice every entrepreneur should hear. 👉 Subscribe to the channel for more real conversations about business, funding, sales, entrepreneurship, and building something that lasts. #alexshvarts  #unbankable #UnbankablePodcast #BusinessInsurance #RestaurantBusiness What’s the biggest business mistake YOU’VE seen someone make trying to “save money”? 👀

The Business Side of Being an Artist | Why Talent Is Not Enough

Alternative business funding, music entrepreneurship, real estate investing, and building wealth beyond your main career all come down to one thing: turning income into long-term assets. I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Shifta — music artist, entrepreneur, real estate investor, developer, and founder of the Timeless brand. Shifta started in music at a young age, built his name through records like “Ganja Shop,” toured internationally, and learned early that music income can be powerful — but unpredictable. Instead of spending everything on image, he used his first real money from music to buy property, build equity, reinvest into his career, and eventually expand into real estate development, restaurants, cannabis, beauty, and family-run businesses. In this conversation, we talk about: * why artists need to think like entrepreneurs * how Shifta turned music income into real estate * why making money in music is harder than people think * how to handle rejection and keep going * why one hit song is not a financial plan * how real estate can create long-term stability * why image can destroy wealth if you are not careful * how to balance creativity, business, family, and discipline * what young artists should know before spending their first big check This episode is for artists, creators, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to build something bigger than one moment of success. Drop a comment: if you made your first big check today, would you spend it, save it, or invest it? _______ Banks focus on credit scores. We focus on real businesses. This channel breaks down how entrepreneurs access capital using cash flow—not rigid bank rules. 📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003 🌐 Learn more: fundkite.com #alexshvarts  #UnbankablePodcast #MusicBusiness #Entrepreneurship

How to Build a Media Brand That Actually Lasts

Building a media brand today takes more than content creation — it takes authenticity, storytelling, trust, and a real business strategy that can survive changing platforms, AI, podcasts, radio, and social media. I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite, and in this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Keith “Papa Keith” Walcott — legendary Miami radio host, media personality, voice actor, event host, entrepreneur, and community advocate. Papa Keith has been the voice of Miami for decades, currently hosting afternoon drive on 103.5 The Beat. He has recorded more than 18,000 radio and TV commercials, built revenue streams beyond radio, worked with brands and advertisers, and used his platform to support the community through his People Matter initiative. In this conversation, we talk about: * why authenticity matters more than copying trends * how to build a personal brand that lasts * why radio is not dead * how storytelling helps entrepreneurs sell their business * how media personalities monetize their voice and influence * why people spend money with people they like * how to adapt your brand to different markets * why giving back can save your purpose * how entrepreneurs can use media, podcasting, and community to grow We also talk about business funding, access to capital, why entrepreneurs need a plan before raising money, and how relationships still matter in a world where everything feels transactional. This episode is funny, honest, and full of real lessons for entrepreneurs, creators, media professionals, and business owners who want to build something real — not just chase attention. Drop a comment: what matters more today — followers, authenticity, or real relationships? _______ Banks focus on credit scores. We focus on real businesses. This channel breaks down how entrepreneurs access capital using cash flow—not rigid bank rules. 📞 Call us for a consultation: (877) 502-5003 🌐 Learn more: fundkite.com #alexshvarts #UnbankablePodcast #MediaBranding #Entrepreneurship