Navigating SBA Deal Fatigue: Deal Fatigue Is Real

Embarking on an Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition journey with SBA financing is exciting, but I am here to let you know that it comes with its challenges. The due diligence, negotiations, and the waiting game- it's all part of the process.

In my role, one of the skills I had to learn quickly as an SBA BDO was how to be a coach during the process. Deal fatigue sets in when you are fighting for your dream. It can show up in many ways but typically during deal fatigue, you start to question whether the fight is worth it.

If you're feeling the weight of deal fatigue, remember you are not alone. The bank and your advisors experience deal fatigue as well. One of the roles of the SBA BDO is to keep things moving along and be the advocate for the client during this process.

Some strategies that have worked for me and my borrowers are the following:

  1. Break it Down: A good SBA BDO will explain the process upfront and set proper expectations about what the process will look like. Every deal is different, however, the process to get to the finish line is the same. I do my best to chunk the process down into manageable steps for my borrowers.
  2. Lean on your network: connect with fellow entrepreneurs, advisors, and mentors who have navigated an acquisition.
  3. Revisit Your Why: I remind my borrowers of why they embarked on their entrepreneurial journey in the first place.
  4. Celebrate milestones: I like to celebrate the small wins. Such as getting through underwriting, successfully transitioning from LOI to purchase agreement and other wins that happen during the acquisition process.

Dealing with SBA deal fatigue is a testament to your resilience. It's part of the narrative that shapes your SBA success story. Embrace the challenge, learn from it, and keep pushing forward.

If you have experienced deal fatigue or have strategies to share, drop a comment. Let's foster a conversation that supports and uplifts each other through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.