Sweatpants & Strategy

🚨 LEADERSHIP ALERT. 🚨 If you think HR is just about black-and-white policies and sitting on the sidelines, this episode is your wake-up call. We’re diving back into the "structured chaos" of SBA with the woman who is redefining executive leadership in the people space. In Part 2 of this deep dive, Dana continues her conversation with Brittany Lyons , Chief People Officer at Port 51 . Brittany br...

🚨 HR ALERT. HR ALERT. 🚨 Think SBA talent is the same as traditional banking? Think again. It’s not just about credit scores—it’s about surviving the "structured chaos." In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, Dana sits down with the woman who is redefining what it means to be a Chief People Officer: Brittany Lyons of Port 51. Brittany isn't your typical "policy enforcer" hiding behind a ha...

🚨 VALENTINE’S FINALE. 🚨 The third and final part of our SBA Love Story series has landed. Forget roses and chocolates—we’re talking about the real romance: Trust, Timing, and Collaboration. In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, Dana sits down with one of her favorite "former candidates turned superstar lenders," Kahla Miscavige from FirstTrust. Kahla brought along her favorite borrower,...

🚨 SBA VALENTINE’S ALERT🚨 The second episode of our "February Love Stories" has arrived, and it’s a grand slam. If you’ve ever felt like the banking world was just one big series of "bad dates" and "ghosting," this one is for you. Dana sits down with her partner-in-crime Lyndsey Blanks from Hancock Whitney and the powerhouse moms behind Triple Threat Athletics: Ashlee Loewen and Christine Michel....

🥋 HI-YAH! 🥋 The SBA Love Story has landed. Brace yourselves. Yes. THAT episode. The one where we prove that SBA isn't just a mountain of paperwork—it’s a 21-year career of passion, grit, and finding your "person" in the industry. We’re talking about chemistry that survives construction nightmares and "seven-year-itch" timelines. 🎙️ Featuring the legendary humans who lived to tell the tale: ⭐ Ma...

The SBA world is changing fast, and if you’re still sticking to the "Money Store" playbook from 1995, you’re already behind. In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, Dana sits down with the man who needs no introduction: Ray Drew, SBA Managing Director at Reliant and the voice behind The Art of SBA Lending. Ray isn’t just another producer—he’s a pioneer who saw the "thought leadership" writin...

🚨 ALERT. ALERT. 🚨 The SBA Year-End Wrap-Up has landed. Brace yourselves. Yes. THAT year. The one with wins, losses, plot twists, and at least three “wait… what?” moments. The one that aged us, surprised us, and occasionally made us question reality. We survived. Somehow. And now we’re talking about it. 🎙️ Featuring the legendary humans who lived to tell the tale: ⭐ Mitch Fogel – Partner, Fogel...

🎃 HALLOWEEN SWEPARDY SPECIAL! 👻 Welcome back to Swepardy — this time, we’re taking over the stage Halloween-style! 🕸️ Join your host (and ringmaster!) Dana Hirschkowitz as she wrangles our contestants through a frightfully fun round of SBA-themed Jeopardy: 🏆 Michael Bland — the reigning champion 💀 Lindsey Blanks — our fierce former champion 🦈 Kevin Rafferty — the brave newbie entering the rin...

As we wrap up 2024 with Sweatpants & Strategy, we’re taking a look back at the moments that didn’t make the final cut—but definitely brought plenty of laughs! From behind-the-scenes mishaps to hilarious guest moments, this special blooper reel shows the lighter side of the podcast. ✨ What to Expect: -Outtakes and bloopers from our amazing host, Dana Hirschkowitz Hilarious behind-the-scenes mo...

Part 2 of our AI in SBA Lending conversation is here, and trust us, it goes places Part 1 only scratched the surface on. Dana, Lyndsey, and Darren join me again for a deeper dive into how AI is showing up behind the scenes: underwriting, closing, hiring, business plans, and even résumés (you’ll hear why Dana’s spending her weekends rewriting them by hand). We talk about what’s changing, what shoul...

Part 1 is LIVE: Is AI helping or hurting SBA lending? Welcome back to Sweatpants & Strategy! I’m Dana Hirschkowotz, founder of The Dana Company—your recruiter for elite SBA and banking talent. In this episode (Part 1 of 2), we’re diving into a topic shaking up our industry: AI in SBA lending. From fraud detection to layoffs, we’re asking the big questions. I’m joined by: 💬 Darren Davis – Pres...

You’re watching Part 2 of our Sweatpants & Strategy episode titled “Mind the Gap: Women, Capital & the Power Shift in Lending.” If you missed Part 1, head there first for all the bold insights that kicked off this powerful two-part conversation. In Part 2, Dana and Stephanie Dunn get tactical—and visionary—as they explore how the SBA lending world is changing fast. From AI and fintech disr...

This episode, titled “Mind the Gap: Women, Capital & the Power Shift in Lending,” is so powerful, we had to break it into Part 1 and Part 2. In Part 1, Dana sits down with Stephanie Dunn, Chief Revenue Officer at Phoenix Lender Solutions, for a candid conversation about the real forces shaping access to capital today. From the removal of DEI mandates to the rise of women in lending, Stephanie...

Operational Déjà Vu: Why The New SOPs Feel So Familiar Feeling confused (again) by the SBA’s latest SOP changes? You're not alone. In this episode, we unpack the so-called "simplification" efforts—and why they feel more like a flashback than a fresh start. From shifting requirements to mixed messages, we're breaking down: ✔️ What’s actually changing ❌ What’s just being recycled 💬 And what it all...

In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, host Dana Hirschkowitz chats with Anthony Pauldin, Head of the Credit Group at First Bank of the Lake, about leading a top-ranked SBA lending team and managing over $650 million in loans. What You’ll Learn: 🔹 Leadership at Scale – How Anthony leads a 25+ person team with trust, collaboration, and zero micromanagement. 🔹 Faster SBA Loans – How First B...

🎧 About This SWEATPANTS & STRATEGY - Special Report This episode takes a bold deep dive into the latest SBA SOP revisions and the DOGE's increased scrutiny of SBA lending practices. It cuts through the noise and gets real about what lenders, credit officers, and business plan expert consultants need to know now. Featuring insider insights, real-world context, and practical takeaways from thre...

Breaking Barriers in SBA Lending: Meet the Unstoppable Kay Anderson In this powerhouse episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, host Dana sits down with Kay Anderson—an industry leader who has broken barriers and paved the way for other women in SBA lending and finance. From becoming the first female CPA at Ernst & Young to playing a key leadership role at Live Oak Bank, the nation’s #1 SBA lende...

🚀 SBA LOANS & BUSINESS PLANS: What You NEED to Know! If you're applying for an SBA loan, your business plan isn't just a formality—it can make or break your approval! Yet, 40% of small business owners don’t have one. In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, we’re pulling back the curtain on what banks and lenders are REALLY looking for in an SBA-ready business plan. 📌 What You’ll Learn:...

🚀 What makes a top-tier Business Development Officer (BDO)? Find out in this first episode of 2025! Host Dana Hirschkowitz is joined by an expert panel of SBA professionals to break down the Top 3 Characteristics of a Successful BDO—and so much more. From communication skills to industry knowledge and the mindset it takes to thrive, this episode is packed with insights for anyone in SBA lending,...

As 2024 comes to a close, join us for a special year-end episode of Sweatpants & Strategy! Host Dana Hirschkowitz brings together a dynamic panel of four guests for a lively and insightful discussion reflecting on the SBA industry’s biggest moments of the year and what’s ahead for 2025. 🎙️ What to Expect: -A recap of key trends and changes in SBA lending throughout 2024 -Candid discussions on...

Get ready for the most fun-filled and competitive episode of Sweatpants & Strategy yet! In this special holiday edition, our three guests—decked out in their ugly sweaters—go head-to-head in SBA Swepardy, a Jeopardy-style trivia game packed with SBA knowledge, industry insights, and plenty of laughs. 🎄 What to Expect: Hilarious answers and friendly rivalry -Real SBA topics and expert knowledg...

Get ready for an unforgettable episode of Sweatpants & Strategy! In Episode 4, we’re calling it The Royal Rumble as two men and two women from the SBA world step into the ring—metaphorically, of course—for a lively discussion about gender dynamics, collaboration, and mentorship in the industry. Host Dana Hirschkowitz dons her referee shirt to guide this energetic conversation, packed with insi...

In this episode of Sweatpants & Strategy, we explore the evolving landscape of SBA lending through the eyes of two generations. Join host Dana Hirschkowitz as she sits down with Stephanie Schwandt, a 35-year veteran of the SBA industry, and her daughter Alexandria “Ali” Schwandt, a rising star in SBA lending. Together, they discuss: ✅ How SBA lending has transformed over the decades. ✅ The c...

Welcome to Episode 2 of Sweatpants & Strategy! This week, we’re tackling the SBA loan process from two unique perspectives—small business owner and lender. Our guests bring their expertise, struggles, and solutions to the table for an honest, practical discussion that every small business owner and finance professional needs to hear. 🎙️ Sam Pennington, owner of Indigo Collective, shares her ex...

In this premiere episode, we sit down with Stephanie Dunn—a trailblazer in SBA lending with over 25 years of experience and a track record of launching several successful SBA shops. Stephanie opens up about her journey, the challenges and triumphs she’s encountered as a woman in finance, and the strategies she’s used to build thriving, close-knit teams. In this episode, you’ll discover: 🔸Stephani...