Episode 42: Why Good Businesses Struggle to Borrow – Strategic Lending for Business Owners

 In this insightful episode, mortgage planner and finance expert Dion Fernandez is joined by Paul from Mentors Group to uncover why even profitable businesses struggle to secure finance. Together, they break down the often-misunderstood barriers between business performance and borrowing capacity, highlighting the importance of strategic alignment between structure, strategy, and financials.

Listeners will walk away with a better understanding of the common blind spots business owners face, how to better prepare for lending conversations, and why collaboration between accountants, financial planners, and lending experts is critical. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a growing team, this episode is packed with value for anyone wanting to turn a working business into a fundable, scalable vehicle for long-term wealth.

🧩 Episode Breakdown:

• Intro & Purpose of the Podcast (0:00–2:00)
  Dion sets the stage, explaining his mission to empower financial legacies through education and expert insight.
• Why Good Businesses Get Knocked Back by Banks (2:00–12:00)
  Dion and Paul explore the disconnect between profitability and borrowing power, especially for self-employed clients.
• The Psychology of Money & Business Ownership (12:00–20:00)
  They dive into mindset challenges business owners face, including fear of debt and limiting beliefs around money.
• The Role of Strategy, Not Just Numbers (20:00–30:00)
  Paul introduces the concept of strategic alignment and how misalignment between structure, goals, and execution hinders borrowing capacity.
• What Mentors Group Does Differently (30:00–36:00)
  Paul shares how his team works hands-on with business owners to understand operations, improve financial clarity, and enhance loan-readiness.
• Blind Spots in Business Financials (36:00–42:00)
  The duo explains how spending habits, poor pricing, and mismanaged client expectations damage long-term profitability and lending potential.
• Why Collaboration Between Advisors Is Key (42:00–50:00)
  Real-life scenarios reveal the impact of having finance professionals, accountants, and planners aligned on business and borrowing strategy.
• Who Should Work with Mentors Group (50:00–55:00)
  Paul describes their ideal client and how they focus on fast, sustainable transformation rather than long-term lock-in coaching.
• Final Thoughts & How to Connect (55:00–58:00)
  Dion wraps up with key takeaways and invitations for discovery calls to explore your own business’s financial strategy.

💡 Key Themes:

• Strategic borrowing for business owners
• Why profit doesn’t always equal lending capacity
• Financial blind spots in small businesses
• The value of aligned advisory teams
• Sustainable and lendable business growth

🔗 Book a Free Discovery Call:
Link in bio & show notes to connect with Dion or Paul and explore how your business can become more fundable.

📢 Found this episode valuable?
Share it with a business owner who needs clarity on lending strategy or someone stuck in a finance bottleneck.