chris hurn: Capacity | The Five Cs of Small Business Real Estate Financing… - 10/11/13 01:47 AM
Here’s the second in my series of videos about The Five Cs of Credit. This week we’re talking about Capacity, and I’m going to give a simple explanation of what that means from a commercial lender’s perspective. Not only that, but one of our clients had an appearance on Modern Family (one of the better shows on network TV these days, in my opinion). Take a look…
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWvhP4apT2Q
 
Thoughts? Questions? Let me know if this is helpful for you or your small business clients, and if anything I said was unclear. Leave a comment below or email me at … (0 comments)

chris hurn: The Five Cs of Small Business Real Estate Financing: Character… - 09/30/13 04:45 AM
From time to time, I think it’s helpful to go over the basics of what we do here at Mercantile Capital Corporation. Small business owners and their advisors choose to work with us because we make the process of purchasing commercial real estate simple. I’m not saying that commercial real estate financing is a simple process, but we do the heavy lifting and sausage-making (so to speak) so that our clients can focus on other important things (like running their businesses).
Earlier this month, I spoke at the Annual Conference of the America’s Small Business Development Center network (ASBDC). I was … (0 comments)

chris hurn: Small Business Week 2013: Chris Hurn says “Join or Die” - 06/07/13 02:20 AM
I started today's video blog by mentioning the famous “Join or Die” cartoon Ben Franklin used to rally the American colonies together during the Revolutionary War. Even though the phrase might be a little severe, I think it's a good jumping-off point in explaining the CREED Act, and asking for your support in getting Congress to pass this much-needed bill. Read my blog as it appeared on the 504 Blog and take a look at my video below to find out how you can help us (no oath-swearing involved, I promise).
 
Okay, so the phrase “JOIN, or DIE” may be … (0 comments)

chris hurn: Finding Success in Creative Ways… - 04/24/13 06:55 AM
One thing I love about my job is hearing the stories from small business owners all over the country. Last year, we helped 97 small business owners in 27 states purchase, construct, renovate, or refinance their commercial property. When you work with that many business owners, you’re bound to hear some wonderful stories about overcoming adversity, going the extra mile, and finding creative ways to solve problems.
I probably don’t need to tell you this, but being a small business owner (and working with small business owners in an advisory role) takes a considerable amount of thinking outside the box. In … (2 comments)

chris hurn: The SBA Proposes Four Changes to the 504 Loan Program… - 04/05/13 01:44 AM
I’ve been on record saying that the SBA will likely see a 20 to 30 percent decrease in 504 loan volume in fiscal year 2013. Despite the fact that the SBA is coming off back-to-back record-breaking years, I expect this drop-off in 504 loans due in large part to the 504 refinance and secondary market (FMLP) programs not being extended past September of 2012. Well, I may have to eat my words (and I’ll gladly do so), because the Agency recently announced some changes that may curtail my forecasted decrease. Specifically, there are four things that I think will make a … (0 comments)

chris hurn: Why the Sequester is GOOD for Small Business Owners… - 02/28/13 04:23 AM
If you’re anything like me, you’ve grown weary of all the high drama in Washington these days. First the Fiscal Cliff; now the looming Sequester; next month it’ll be something else. But as we sit on the edge of our seats waiting to find out what will happen tomorrow, I’d like to tell you why the Sequester won’t be the end of the world as we know it.
I did an interview for a local newspaper yesterday, and I told them I don’t expect the Sequester to hurt the SBA or small businesses too badly, as some have predicted. I do … (2 comments)

chris hurn: How Does a No-Name Upstart Compete? — on Mixergy.com - 02/21/13 03:26 AM
If you’re not familiar with Mixergy.com, you really ought to check it out. It was founded by a gentleman named Andrew Warner with the purpose of helping ambitious people like you and me learn from a mix of experienced mentors (including Gary Vaynerchuk, Barbara Corcoran, Jimmy Wales, and more).
Having a mentor can be invaluable, but one person only has so much knowledge and so much experience. Andrew has created a space where I (and you) have the opportunity to hear from lots of people with lots of failures, lots of successes, and lots of experience. And I love it.
I … (2 comments)

chris hurn: The Small Business Blueprint for Creating Wealth in 2013… - 01/29/13 02:58 AM

Last week, Bob Coleman called and asked if he could interview me for The Coleman Report — an online and print resource for small business lending and small business loans. Frankly, I was honored. Bob and I go back a few years and I know how influential his publications have become.
He wanted to talk about The Entrepreneur’s Secret to Creating Wealth, and why it’s an important book for small business owners (and the people who advise small business owners). One of the things I told him is that my book is a “blueprint” for small business owners — it’s … (1 comments)

chris hurn: It’s International Book Week! - 09/21/12 02:03 AM
Since we’re getting closer to the release of my first book, The Entrepreneur’s Secret to Creating Wealth…and it’s International Book Week…I want to give you some details about two very special offers if you’d like to purchase multiple copies. One of them is a BOGO deal, and the other is a way to raise money to help young entrepreneurs. Watch the video below to get the full story…
When you purchase two or more copies of the book (online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Books-A-Million), we’ll donate the net proceeds to the Young Entrepreneur Foundation. All you need to do … (6 comments)

chris hurn: SBA 504 Loans, the Olympics, and Book Cover Judging… - 07/30/12 04:57 AM
Fact about me: I love the Olympics. The pageantry of the games and the world-class athletic competition are so much fun to watch. Here’s another fun fact: right before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, I learned that one of America’s most decorated Olympians in history trained at a facility that was financed with an SBA 504 loan.
 Even though Mercantile wasn’t involved in the project, it’s great to know that the type of financing we do has played a part in the career of an extremely successful athlete. Which athlete was it? You’ll have to watch the video below to find … (2 comments)

chris hurn: Shattering records like The Avengers…sort of… - 07/16/12 01:15 AM
Just like The Avengers, which broke the all-time record this year for an opening weekend (making $207.4 million at the box office), this has been a record-smashing year for Mercantile Capital Corporation so far. In just the first six months of 2012, we’ve closed one more loan than we did in all of 2011 (which was also a record-breaking year), and our loan volume is up 240% from the same period last year. We’re now approaching the $1 billion mark for total loan volume since 2003, and we’ve helped create or retain 6,584 jobs by providing smarter commercial property financing for … (0 comments)

chris hurn: Independence for Entrepreneurs… - 07/02/12 04:58 AM
 I’ve always said that owning your own commercial property is one of the best strategies for small business owners to create wealth…and gain independence from the tyranny of the typical. If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, this won’t sound surprising coming from me.
I’ve posted the following video for the “uninitiated” — maybe you’re new here or you know a business owner who ought to be thinking about what’s next for their business (and owning their commercial property is a great next step for a lot business owners, especially these days, believe it or not). This clip … (1 comments)

chris hurn: Fried Phones, Androids, & Social Madness…OH MY! - 06/26/12 04:16 AM
We had a very soggy weekend here in Florida. Tropical Storm Debby hit us with lots of rain and some pretty strong winds, and we came to the office yesterday to find that our phone system was fried sometime over the weekend. I recorded a video blog yesterday (see below) hoping that we’d have all this resolved by now, but we’re still phoneless. Nevertheless, I have some important things to tell you today, so (if you can spare two minutes) I hope you enjoy my video message to you…
For everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY), all of us here at Mercantile … (1 comments)

chris hurn: Social Madness: Round One… - 06/19/12 06:38 AM
So, we’ve made it through the qualifying stage of Social Madness, and Round One starts today! Thanks for voting for us — it really means a lot to everybody here at Mercantile that we got as many votes as we did and are the second seed in Round One (it’s bracketed, like March Madness…hence the name). Watch the video below to find out what you can do to help us advance to the next round and to hear me say “thanks!” in-person…
Don’t forget that the prize for winning this Social Madness contest (other than bragging rights) is a $10,000 donation … (1 comments)

chris hurn: Social Madness and $10,000 for Your Favorite Charity… - 06/08/12 02:59 AM
Have you heard of Social Madness? It’s a contest, hosted by American Business Journals and sponsored by Capital One, to find out which companies across the nation have the best social media chops. I’d like to think that we do a pretty good job with the social media, and I hope you do, too. Watch the video below to find out how you can help us win this contest and get $10,000 for the charity of your choice with just a few clicks of your mouse…
All you have to do is vote for us in this Social Madness contest (and … (1 comments)

chris hurn: Joshie at the Ritz-Carlton: An Extraordinary Customer Experience… - 05/08/12 06:35 AM
Lately, I’ve been doing a little more traveling that I would like to. When I was younger, it wasn’t as big a deal…but now I’d much rather be home to spend time with my family.
I was in Los Angeles about six weeks ago on one of these recent business trips, and it happened to coincide with my kids’ Spring Break. I wished I could have spent the time with them, but I suggested that my wife use some of my Marriott points I’ve been accumulating and take the kids to stay at the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island, which is about … (0 comments)

chris hurn: Your Luckiest Friday the 13th Ever… - 04/13/12 03:16 AM
I’m not one for superstitions (unless it has to do with sports, primarily soccer) so I don’t buy all the hullabaloo about Friday the 13th being “unlucky.” The whole idea of luck is something I try to stay away from. Sure, some happenstances seem downright serendipitous, but I think we make our own opportunities by working hard and staying sharp. I guess that’s just how American I am.
If you’re stuck on the unluckiness of today, I have something to change your mind — a surprise that’s been a long time coming.
Way back in November, I announced that we would … (3 comments)

chris hurn: Video of My Recent Senate Testimony… - 04/11/12 03:20 AM
It took a little longer than expected, but we finally have the video of my testimony before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on March 29th. Believe it or not, I’ve taken a lot of heat for what I said at this Senate Hearing two weeks ago. Some of my comments have been taken out of context, and some folks have fabricated things I never said (or even implied). So, before I’m bombarded with any more criticism for what I said (or didn’t say), I invite you to watch the video for yourself and see what really happened:
As … (0 comments)

chris hurn: My Testimony about the SBA 2013 Budget Request before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship… - 03/29/12 07:04 AM
It’s done. I testified earlier today before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. It turns out things were a little rushed at the hearing — I was only given about three minutes to deliver my verbal testimony (which is very short, especially given the length of my written testimony) — and Ranking Member Sen. Olympia Snowe wasn’t able to be there for the panel I was on. But I think I got my point across, and Committee Chair Sen. Mary Landrieu commented that the different opinions on the panel made for some interesting debate.
As I began to prepare … (0 comments)

chris hurn: Small Business Lender to Testify on Capitol Hill - 03/28/12 08:11 AM
I’m on my way to Washington!  Late last week I got an invitation to speak before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship this Thursday (tomorrow). They want me to discuss the FY 2013 SBA budget request, and I’m going to primarily talk about how to get the 504 program back to its historical zero-subsidy status. On the heels of the recently-passed JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act, we want them to extend the 504 Refi and FMLP programs by at least one year each (among other things). We hope to improve these programs and get zero-subsidy, SBA-supported capital flowing … (1 comments)