How To Business Show

Episode #65 - Thaddeus Voss Owner of Bluegrass Lending

Follow Us On IG: https://www.instagram.com/htbs__?igsh=cTF4N2lpamIycDJ5Follow Thad On IG: https://www.instagram.com/thaddeus_voss_?igsh=MXY3N3luYW92djBneA==In Episode 65 of the How to Business Show, we sit down with Thad Voss, founder of Bluegrass Lending and Lionheart Funding, to pull back the curtain on the alternative funding and creative finance industry. From taking a commission-only Wall Street job in New York with no safety net, to building a multi–eight-figure alternative lending operation, Thad breaks down the realities of merchant cash advances, SBA loans, term loans, unsecured lending, and private money—including the biggest misconceptions business owners have about rates, risk, and regulation.This episode is a masterclass for entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and business owners who want to understand:Why banks fail small businessesHow alternative funding actually worksThe truth about high interest rates and riskHow ethical brokers build long-term client relationshipsWhy most bad actors fail in this spaceHow to scale a brokerage, fund deals in-house, and build real wealthWe also dive deep into:Sales psychology & cold callingBuilding an “undeniable stack of proof” (inspired by Alex Hormozi)Ego, leadership, mentorship, and compounding wealthThe future of alternative lending, regulation, and educationIf you’re a small business owner, real estate investor, sales rep, or someone curious about creative finance and alternative lending, this episode will change how you think about money.Subscribe for more real conversations about business, money, and growth.00:00 – Biggest misconceptions about the alternative funding space02:25 – Why Thad chose Wall Street over a “safe” salaried job04:12 – Moving to New York broke, scared, and commission-only08:05 – The brutal reality of early sales & clawback periods10:35 – The internship play that changed everything13:42 – What alternative funding really is (creative finance explained)17:09 – Merchant cash advances vs SBA loans vs term loans26:01 – Bad actors, unethical brokers, and industry misinformation34:24 – Why high rates exist (and why businesses still take them)39:18 – Bluegrass vs Lionheart: brokerage vs in-house funding46:52 – Ego, wealth, syndication, and compounding returns56:26 – Books that shaped Thad’s mindset (10X, Fanatical Prospecting, Ego Is the Enemy)1:02:26 – Walk-up song for business meetings 🎶

#64 | Tim Mulloy – Building Cities That Last: Real Estate, Sports & Smart Growth

In this episode of The How-To Business Show, we sit down with Tim Mulloy, Louisville-based real estate developer, civic leader, and one of the driving forces behind some of the city’s most impactful projects.Tim shares decades of hard-earned insight on real estate development, capital strategy, and why apartments remain one of the most resilient asset classes. We unpack how major deals actually get done, how public-private partnerships work, and what it really takes to develop projects that shape cities for generations.From launching professional soccer in Louisville and building a nationally recognized stadium, to navigating incentives, interest rate cycles, and long-term urban growth, this conversation is packed with lessons for developers, entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone who cares about the future of their city.In this episode, we cover:How Tim got started in real estate and what shaped his investment philosophyWhy workforce housing and apartments continue to outperformThe real mechanics behind incentives, TIFs, and public-private dealsHow sports franchises can transform neighborhoods and citiesWhere Tim sees the biggest untapped opportunities in LouisvilleAdvice for young entrepreneurs trying to break into developmentWhether you’re early in your career or already deep in the game, this episode is a masterclass in long-term thinking, disciplined growth, and building something that actually lasts.🎧 Listen now

#63 | Jeff Chandler (Z-JAK Technologies) -

Jeff, founder & CEO of Z Jack Technologies, has been in tech since the IBM floppy disk era — and went on to build the first online insurance company ever approved by the SEC for digital signatures, before selling to Nationwide.Now, he’s on a mission to protect small businesses from ransomware, AI scams, and cyber threats — using enterprise-level tools normally reserved for Fortune 500 companies.In this episode of How to Business, we talk about:The terrifying rise of ransomware & credential theftHow hackers “log in — not hack in” using stolen passwordsAI’s impact on both cybersecurity AND productivityWhy small businesses are being targeted right nowHow to protect your company before it’s too lateOne of the most important and urgently relevant episodes we’ve recorded — especially if you have employees, sensitive data, or even just an email inbox.

#62 | Patrick Nessenthaler (CREnetics) – Unlocking Real Estate: Data, Deals & Disruption

Patrick’s journey goes from Dallas, to New York investment banking, to Ivy League, to Louisville - and now he’s launching KINETICS, a disruptive real estate AI company built off proprietary data your competitors can’t access.This episode is a masterclass in:how the space market predicts the future BEFORE transactions dohow AI + real estate is about to completely flip underwritingwhy academia was the only way to get access to the proofhow he negotiated IP from Rutgers like a Silicon Valley biotech dealand why Louisville is actually the perfect launch padIf you’re in real estate, capital markets, AI, venture, or academia - this is one of the most important founder stories you’ll hear this year.

#61 | Mitchell Kersting (WorK Architecture) - Architecture Meets Entrepreneurship: The Rise of WorK

What does it take to quit your job, start an architecture firm with no safety net, and reshape how an entire city thinks about development? Sam sits down with Will Hogan, founder of Work Architecture and Framework, to unpack the scrappy beginnings of his firm, why he chose to buy a $30,000 building in Portland, and how he turned small projects into $40 million developments.Will shares stories of driving weekly between Charleston and Louisville while broke and newly married, building his firm brick by brick, and why he believes Louisville’s culture of complacency needs disruption. They dive into the role of data, visualization, and pre-development modeling in shaping projects, the challenges of growing a team without “specializing,” and how competition (or the lack of it) changes everything from restaurants to housing.If you care about architecture, entrepreneurship, or how bold risks shape cities, this conversation is equal parts raw, inspiring, and practical.