Paul T. Long - Because Every Business Owner Needs a Paul

08/27/2026

A $3 million purchase price now changes the diligence playbook. Under SBA SOP 50 10 8.1, qualifying initial acquisitions and business expansions require a Quality of Earnings analysis—and debt-service coverage must be based on that analysis. Start the conversation early so your buyer understands the added time, cost, and documentation.

04/07/2026

Thinking about buying a business? Don’t guess what your banker needs—get ahead with this checklist I created just for you. Pre-qualify with confidence.

By Paul Long Securing financing for a business acquisition requires a thorough understanding of both the business being purchased and the financial profile of the guarantor. This pre-qualification checklist outlines the critical factors lenders evaluate to determine readiness and risk. It’s design...

03/27/2026

Business Acquistion deals thrive on clarity, confidence, and momentum. Time erodes all three.
That’s why experienced lenders like Paul Long , brokers like Seth Rudin, and buyers push for tight timelines, fast document collection, and decisive communication.

Deals thrive on clarity, confidence, and momentum. Time erodes all three.That’s why experienced lenders, brokers, and buyers push for tight timelines, fast d...

03/11/2026

Working capital is the lifeblood of any business, and when Paul Long (Your SBA Lender) and Seth Rudin (M&A Broker) talk about buying a company, this is one of the first topics they drill into. It’s not glamorous, but it’s absolutely foundational. A business can survive a lot of things—competition, market shifts, even leadership changes—but it cannot survive running out of cash to fund day‑to‑day operations.

Working capital is one of the most underestimated yet deal‑defining components in mergers and acquisitions. It influences valuation, post‑closing performance...

02/27/2026

Paul Long (Your SBA Lender) and Seth Rudin (M&A Broker) talk about “Working IN the business versus working ON the business,” it becomes more than a textbook distinction—it turns into a practical lens for how leaders actually move companies forward.

02/10/2026

Seth Rudin (M&A Broker) and I (Your SBA Lender) pause in the middle of the chaos and compare notes on what truly defines this work—What’s hardest about M&A transactions, and what makes it all worthwhile. Enjoy!

As M&A advisors and SBA lenders, we’re often asked about the hardest part of our work and, conversely, the part we enjoy the most. Opinions expressed on this...

01/28/2026

As experienced SBA financiers and M&A intermediaries, we've encountered our fair share of challenges! Let's delve into these missteps by sharing a narrative. In this installment, a veteran business intermediary and SBA lender recount tales of calamities in M&A transactions.

As a senior lender and M&A broker we have seen some things! Let’s learn from those mistakes by telling you the story. In this episode, a seasoned business br...

01/15/2026

Paul Long and Seth Sudin emphasize the importance of understanding tariffs when acquiring a business with international inventories or assets. In this episode, an experienced business broker and an SBA lender discuss key topics related to tariffs in mergers and acquisitions. Check it out here: https://youtu.be/Z4U6CknYhqk

https://youtu.be/Z4U6CknYhqk

When acquiring a business where there are international inventory or assets understanding Tariffs is important. In this episode, a seasoned business broker a...

01/06/2026

Ready to buy business in the new year? Let’s Paul Long & Seth Rudin share with you what we are looking for!

In this episode, a seasoned business broker and SBA lender share what you should do to prepare to buy a business.

Ready to buy business in the new year. Let’s Paul & Seth share with you what we are looking for!In this episode, a seasoned business broker and SBA lender sh...