Equipment Financing Without Getting Screwed

Equipment Financing Without Getting Screwed

That "great deal" on equipment financing might be eating your lunch. In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matt and Luigi sit down with Rob Misheloff of Smarter Finance USA to talk about the stuff most lenders do not explain clearly: equipment financing, lease terms, credit scores, hidden fees, auction purchases, and why small business owners need to read the fine print before signing anything with a payment attached. Rob breaks down how equipment financing really works, why the market has gotten tighter, and what business owners should watch for when buying trucks, machinery, med spa equipment, construction gear, and other big-ticket tools of the trade. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why equipment financing is not the same as a regular loan. * How "simple rate" can make a deal look cheaper than it really is. * Why banks and lenders have gotten pickier after COVID. * What credit score usually gets you decent financing. * Why used equipment can still be financed. * How auction financing works when you need cash fast. * Red flags that scream, "Run before they keep your money." * Why first and last payments are common, but sketchy brokers are not. * How leaseback deals work when you already own equipment. * Why your equipment may be worth less to a lender than it is in your head. 👤 About our Guest: Rob Misheloff is the founder of Smarter Finance USA, a business financing company focused on equipment financing and helping business owners make smarter borrowing decisions. His team works with many lenders to help fund equipment deals for small businesses across industries. 🎧 Why Listen: Before you finance your next truck, machine, trailer, med spa device, or mystery gadget from an auction, listen to this one first. Then follow The Liquid Lunch Project, share it with a business owner who is about to sign a bad deal, and save yourself from learning the expensive way. 🔗 Links + Stuff * Smarter Finance USA: https://smarterfinanceusa.com [https://smarterfinanceusa.com] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smarter-finance-usa [https://www.linkedin.com/company/smarter-finance-usa] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smarterfinanceusa [https://www.facebook.com/smarterfinanceusa] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodyNFW3lxlnEuzJ-Or_50g [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodyNFW3lxlnEuzJ-Or_50g] 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com]• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/]• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ]• Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86 [https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan]• Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca]• The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.

Your financial advisor may be nice. That does not mean they are safe.

In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matt and Luigi sit down with securities lawyer David P. Meyer to talk about the ugly side of investing: broker misconduct, crypto scams, hidden fees, fake online "experts," and the very real ways smart people lose serious money. David also shares how he built a national securities litigation practice after taking on Prudential Securities in his twenties and winning a jaw-dropping $262 million jury verdict. Not bad for a guy who says he was basically just trying to avoid reading tax code forever. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why you should never invest with an unlicensed person. Ever. * How to use brokercheck.org before handing over a dollar. * Why "pig butchering" scams are stealing life savings. * How fake crypto platforms make fake profits look real. * Why deepfake AI is making financial fraud even scarier. * What brokers are supposed to do when elderly clients move large sums. * Why private real estate deals need legal review before you wire money. * How hidden investment fees quietly eat into your portfolio. * Why trust is often the scammer's favorite tool. * What to do before a bad investment turns into a financial crime scene. 💡 Notable Takeaway: "People will drive across town to save 10 cents on a can of soup. But they'll hand their life savings over to anyone in a nice-looking suit and a firm handshake." 👤 About our Guest: David P. Meyer is a securities lawyer and founding partner at Meyer Wilson Werning, where he helps investors recover losses from broker misconduct, investment fraud, and financial abuse. He is also the author of The Investor Protector and has represented investors across the country for more than 30 years. 🎧 Why Listen: Before you trust another "can't-miss" investment, listen to this episode, check your advisor on brokercheck.org, and share it with someone whose retirement account deserves better than a slick smile and a fake promise. 🔗 Links + Resources Mentioned * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpmeyer1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpmeyer1/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MeyerWilsonColumbus [https://www.youtube.com/c/MeyerWilsonColumbus] * David's Firm: investorclaims.com [http://investorclaims.com] * Check a Broker: brokercheck.org [http://brokercheck.org] * Book: The Investor Protector by David P. Meyer 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com]• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/]• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ]• Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86 [https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan]• Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca]• The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.

Built to Scale: The 5 Financial Blind Spots That Stop Business Owners from Scaling

Revenue looks great on a scoreboard. But if your cash flow is a mess, your margins are thin, and your financials only get attention during tax season… that growth might be hiding a much bigger problem. In this episode of Built to Scale, Matt sits down with Larry Rice, CPA, CEPA, and founder of RVG & Company, to talk about the financial blind spots that quietly keep business owners stuck, stressed, and scrambling. They dig into why revenue is not the same as financial health, how fast growth can actually make bad decisions worse, and why your CPA should not be treated like an emergency contact you only call once a year. Larry also breaks down the numbers every owner should be watching, when to upgrade your financial team, and why clean books matter long before you look for funding, buy another company, or think about selling. This one is for every business owner who has ever asked, "We're growing… so why does it still feel so tight?" In this episode, Matt and Larry talk about: * Revenue vs. profit vs. cash flow * The financial numbers every business owner should know * Why growth can expose cracks instead of fixing them * How cash flow surprises sneak up on scaling companies * When to bring in a bookkeeper, controller, or CFO * Why tax planning should happen before tax season * How messy financials can hurt funding, acquisitions, and exits * The danger of taking business and tax advice from TikTok If you're trying to scale without flying blind, this episode is worth the listen. About Larry Rice Larry Rice is a CPA, CEPA, and managing partner at RVG & Company, where he works with business owners on tax strategy, financial planning, and fractional CFO-style advisory support. Larry and his team help entrepreneurs get clearer on the numbers, avoid expensive blind spots, and make smarter decisions around growth, funding, acquisitions, and exits. To connect with Larry, reach out through RVG & Company or contact him directly at lrice@rvgco.com or 954-233-1767. * Website: https://rvgco.com/ [https://rvgco.com/] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rvgandcompany [https://www.facebook.com/rvgandcompany] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-rice-38342aa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-rice-38342aa/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rvgco/ [https://www.instagram.com/rvgco/] Built to Scale is a podcast segment from The Liquid Lunch Project, hosted by Matt, built for entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners who want to grow smarter, tighten operations, improve profitability, and build companies that can scale without chaos running the show. Need capital before growth turns into a cash flow problem? If this episode made you realize your business needs a stronger funding strategy, connect with Credit Banc. Matt and the Credit Banc team help business owners explore financing options for working capital, acquisitions, equipment, expansion, and growth opportunities before they're stuck scrambling at the last minute. Learn more about how Credit Banc helps entrepreneurs access the right capital for the right stage of growth. https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86

America was the ultimate startup

Big idea. No safety net. Shaky money. Brutal odds. A giant competitor. And founders who were not just risking cash…they were risking their necks. Literally In this special 250th anniversary episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, Matthew R. Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca look at America's founding like a business launch. The Declaration of Independence becomes the mission statement. Washington becomes the operator under pressure. Franklin becomes the closer. And the whole thing becomes a crash course in risk, debt, ownership, cash flow, and building something that lasts. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why America's founding looks a lot like a startup * What entrepreneurs can learn from Washington, Franklin, and Hamilton * Why cash flow keeps big ideas alive * When debt helps…and when it eats the business * Why "independence" means nothing if someone else controls your customers * The danger of relying on one platform, bank, or payment processor * Why smart founders build systems that outlast them * What business owners should be building for the next 250 years This is not your high school history class. It's American history through the eyes of business owners, founders, and anyone trying to build something bigger than next month's bills. Listen now, follow The Liquid Lunch Project, and share this episode with a founder who needs to stop chasing short-term wins and start building like they mean it. 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com]• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/]• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ]• Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86 [https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan]• Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca]• The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.

Your Health Plan Is Probably Screwing You

Your health plan might be robbing you blind. The fun part? You may be paying someone to let it happen. Healthcare benefits are one of the biggest expenses for small business owners, and most employers are stuck playing a game where the rules are hidden, the prices move, and somehow the bill always gets worse. In this episode of The Liquid Lunch Project, hosts Matthew R. Meehan and Luigi Rosabianca sit down with Donovan Ryckis, CEO of Ethos Benefits, to rip the lid off employer-sponsored healthcare. Donovan breaks down why insurance costs keep rising, how brokers can create conflicts of interest, why pharmacy benefit managers deserve a long side-eye, and how small businesses can start asking much better questions before renewal season punches them in the face. 🍸 What you'll hear in this episode: * Why healthcare is usually expense number two or three for a business * How broker compensation can work against employers * Why "the insurance company pays me" is not the cute answer people think it is * The four moving parts of every healthcare plan * Why claims data matters more than carrier logos * How pharmacy benefit managers quietly drive up drug costs * Why direct primary care can cut ER visits and save employees time * The real reason better benefits do not have to mean higher costs * How small business owners can stop picking the "least bad" plan * Why transparency is the first step to taking back control 💡 Notable Takeaway: "The only way any healthcare plan is going to lower costs for the employer is if it first lowers costs and works better for the employees." - Donovan 👤 About our Guest: Donovan J. Ryckis is the CEO of Ethos Benefits, an award-winning employee benefits consulting firm helping employers lower healthcare costs through fiduciary-based consulting. He is also the producer of the documentary "It's Not Personal, It's Just Healthcare." 🎧 Why Listen: Before your next healthcare renewal, listen to this episode and ask your broker one question: "Exactly how are you getting paid?" Then visit EthosBenefits.com to learn more, watch Donovan's documentaries, and see what a smarter healthcare plan could look like for your business. 🔗 Links + Stuff Website: www.EthosBenefits.com [http://www.ethosbenefits.com] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebusinessofbenefitspodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@thebusinessofbenefitspodcast] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donovanryckis/] Watch the healthcare documentary: https://ethosbenefits.com/documentary [https://ethosbenefits.com/documentary] Watch the PBM documentary, Side Effects May Include: https://ethosbenefits.com/pbm-documentary [https://ethosbenefits.com/pbm-documentary] 🔔 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you don't miss future conversations on business growth, funding, strategy, and the stuff most people don't explain clearly. If this episode helped, a quick rating or review goes a long way. It helps the show reach more business owners who actually care about getting this right. 🎧 Listen or watch The Liquid Lunch Project Available on all major podcast and video platforms: • Official site: https://theliquidlunchproject.com [https://theliquidlunchproject.com]• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liquid-lunch-project/]• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ [https://open.spotify.com/show/12HPEDMmsbfsp8tHt5LiZJ]• Audible: https://shorturl.at/6j4vz [https://shorturl.at/6j4vz]• YouTube (full episodes + clips): https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc [https://www.youtube.com/@Credit_Banc] 📬 Want more than just the podcast? Every Friday, we publish The Weekly. A fast, smart rundown of what actually matters in finance, tech, small business, and the economy…without the noise. Subscribe here: 👉 https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/ [https://theweeklyfromshieldadvisory.substack.com/] 💼 Need funding or working capital? If today's conversation raised questions about capital, cash flow, or financing options, you can schedule a conversation with our sponsor, Credit Banc. Credit Banc helps business owners make sense of their options and move forward with a clear plan, without pressure or guesswork. 👉 Book a free 15-minute call here: https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86 [https://tinyurl.com/3dh9vy86] 📲 Connect with the hosts Follow along for behind-the-scenes clips, commentary, and things that don't make it into the episode. • Matt Meehan: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan [https://www.instagram.com/matthew.r.meehan]• Luigi Rosabianca: https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca [https://www.instagram.com/luigi_rosabianca]• The Liquid Lunch Project: https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/theliquidlunchproject/] 💬 One last thing Know a business owner who would appreciate this conversation? Send them the episode. That's how this show grows.