From W-2 Employee to Business Owner: How She 10X’d Her Insurance Agency

What does it really take to leave a W-2 job, start your own business, and build a company that grows beyond you?

In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, Ryan Smith sits down with Stephanie Petrickova, Principal and Founder of SSA Insurance, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, commercial real estate, and the mindset required to take the leap from employee to business owner.

Stephanie shares the story of how she went from working at a financial planning firm to launching her own benefits agency—and how she eventually grew the business by more than 10X.

We also dive into one of the biggest decisions she made as a business owner: buying a commercial building instead of leasing one.

▶️In this episode, we discuss:

• How Stephanie transitioned from a W-2 employee to business owner
• The risks and fears involved in starting a business
• How she prepared for six months before making the leap
• Building and growing an insurance and employee benefits agency
• How her business grew more than 10X
• Leadership, confidence, and overcoming self-doubt
• Why getting outside your comfort zone matters in business
• How to build a strong company culture
• Managing time as a growing business owner
• Delegation and hiring an executive assistant
• Building a community of fellow business owners
• Why Stephanie chose to buy commercial real estate instead of leasing
• How owning a commercial building changed her company culture
• Using commercial real estate as part of your business strategy
• Community events, networking, and business development
• Moving from working “in” the business to working “on” the business
• Advice for W-2 employees who want to become entrepreneurs

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

More ThinkSBA Resources

⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Call
https://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviews
https://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questions
https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel

What if your 401(k) or IRA could do more than invest in traditional stocks and mutual funds?

In this episode, we sit down with Brian Davis, founder of Independent IRA, to explore the world of **self-directed IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, real estate investing, private companies, alternative investments, and retirement wealth building**.

▶️Timestamp:
➡️00:00 The Retirement Mindset Shift
➡️02:27 Meet Brian Davis
➡️02:47 From Mortgage Lending to Independent IRA
➡️05:40 What Is a Self-Directed IRA?
➡️08:39 Can You Move Your 401(k)?
➡️10:54 How Alternative Investments Work
➡️11:15 Trust Deed Investing Explained
➡️13:14 Where Investors Are Putting Money Today
➡️15:48 Biggest Investment Wins & Losses
➡️18:33 Tax Benefits of Self-Directed IRAs
➡️20:28 Crypto, Private Equity & Precious Metals
➡️21:42 The Risks of Alternative Investing
➡️25:57 Solo 401(k) Explained
➡️27:43 Why Solo 401(k)s Have More Flexibility
➡️30:29 Borrowing From Your Own 401(k)
➡️33:24 What Happens to Old 401(k)s?
➡️36:05 Who Should Consider a Self-Directed IRA?
➡️39:03 The Future of Real Estate Investing
➡️43:16 Final Advice for Business Owners
➡️45:09 Outro

Brian explains how investors can potentially use retirement accounts to access alternative assets such as:

• Real estate
• Private equity and private companies
• Trust deeds and real estate notes
• Cryptocurrency
• Private funds
• Precious metals
• Alternative investments

We also discuss the difference between traditional retirement accounts and self-directed accounts, when old 401(k)s can be rolled into an IRA, Solo 401(k) options for self-employed business owners, and the risks that come with alternative investing.

Most importantly, this conversation is about understanding your options and knowing what you're investing in—not simply chasing the next big opportunity.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

More ThinkSBA Resources

⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Call
https://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviews
https://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questions
https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel

Commercial real estate attorney Kevin Simonsen explains the legal mistakes that can cost business owners and real estate investors hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions.

In this episode of the My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, Ryan sits down with Kevin Simson to discuss the legal side of commercial real estate, including commercial leases, purchase agreements, negotiations, due diligence, and common mistakes business owners and real estate investors should avoid.

Kevin brings nearly two decades of experience in sophisticated commercial real estate transactions, including leases, acquisitions, development, construction, and financing.

In This Episode:

• Why commercial real estate is different from residential real estate
• Why you should involve a real estate attorney before signing an LOI
• What a retrade is and how it can affect a deal
• Commercial lease negotiation strategies
• Common commercial real estate contract mistakes
• Why due diligence matters before buying a commercial property
• How unclear lease terms can create massive unexpected costs
• The difference between a commercial real estate broker and attorney
• How one property owner faced foreclosure after years of unpaid property taxes
• Why liability protection and proper entity structure matter
• What buyers and tenants should negotiate in commercial real estate deals
• Insights into the San Diego life science and biotech real estate market

If you're a business owner, commercial property investor, landlord, tenant, or entrepreneur considering a commercial real estate transaction, this episode will help you understand the risks before you sign.

🎙️ Hosted by Ryan Smith

If you liked this content, let's connect on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mysbapro
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mysbapro

More ThinkSBA Resources

⁠https://calendly.com/thinksba - Schedule Call
https://g.page/thinksba - Google Business Page & Reviews
https://thinksba.com/faq - Frequently Asked Questions
https://mysbaloanpro.com⁠ - My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
http://youtube.com/@thinksba - YouTube Channel