SBA Loans: How Ian Cameron Knew He Was on the Right Path
When Ian Cameron set out to acquire his landscape maintenance business, he came to the process with enthusiasm and a clear outlook. Originally from Rochester, Minnesota, Ian’s main goal was to get back to his home state. After attending the U.S. Naval Academy and spending nearly a decade as a Marine Corps Infantry Officer, followed by an exciting stint in the Bay Area exploring work opportunities with Silicon Valley startups, it was time to return home.
His Marine Corps background predisposed Ian to crave operational challenges and a managerial role. “A lot of the time, starting a business from scratch means you’re the guy turning the wrench. I don’t have any wrench-turning skills, but I do have managerial skills,” Ian says.
As he began considering the type of business he wanted to acquire, Ian started to see how his passion for entrepreneurship could fit. “The idea of buying a business opened my eyes. It represents this whole other part of the economy that’s also part of entrepreneurship,” Ian says. He was especially interested in industries he already understood as a property owner, which led him to landscape maintenance. Today, he is the proud owner of Ironwood Outdoor, a company that delivers a full range of outdoor services, including tree removal, pruning and trimming, storm cleanup, and brush and debris removal.
Making it Happen with Scale Bank
Coming into the SBA loan process with some real estate experience, Ian had an understanding of what type of due diligence was required. “I had done quite a bit of research by the time we started this acquisition,” Ian says. “That being said, the SBA is its own beast, but I probably had an advantage coming from the real estate world, being a borrower,” he adds.
He knew that it would take some time to land on the right lender due to the partnership required for a substantial and involved process like an SBA loan. “I talked with over a dozen different lenders, and I got to know what the landscape was out there,” Ian describes. “First things first: the rate has to be competitive, and Scale offers competitive rates.”
Beyond the logistics, you have to feel good about your team. “When I first met the Scale team, they were super helpful, responsive, and just worked with me on any nuances. With the volume that Scale does, they’ve seen it all before, and if they could always get answers to me quickly,” Ian says.
“Ian came in incredibly prepared, with a real grasp of lending and SBA loans. You could tell he’s done his homework. That level of understanding made the entire process smoother for both of us and turned what can be a stressful experience into a really enjoyable one,” said Ann Franklin, Vice President, SBA Lending.
SBA Lending Dos and Don’ts
SBA lending has a reputation for being thorough. With Scale Bank, Ian experienced a smoother process than he anticipated. Scale Bank is an SBA Preferred Lender, which means that it can approve SBA loans in-house. “That SBA Preferred status is something I didn’t think was that important initially, but over time I came to appreciate it,” Ian says. “When you’re in the midst of the process, at the very end, things can get squirrely, but taking out that one final level of uncertainty is important,” he adds.
With lots of detail to sift through, Scale is committed to ensuring that the client understands the process and is clear on what it takes to get funding. “It’s really helpful that Scale was transparent about whether it was SBA rules or bank rules that we were up against,” Ian says. “I’ve had experiences where that hasn’t always been super transparent, but Scale always was clear about who needed which requirements and where they’re coming from.”
Ann added, “We try to keep things transparent and honest with our customers. We set timelines that are realistic, not just what sounds good, and I think that approach really helps create a smoother, more positive experience for everyone.”
Future Planning and the Role of Long-Term Partnership
Ian’s goal is to triple his business in the next two years. The transition into ownership has gone smoothly, and his team has responded well to the continuity that he has prioritized. “Jumping into trucks with guys went a long way,” Ian says.
With significant growth in mind, Ian knew that the SBA lender he chose would remain an important partner in his long-term business plan. “Having a bank that’s willing to work with you for the long run is important,” Ian says. “You want someone who can get that acquisition done, but you want a partner not just through the SBA process, but who is able to support your business and its growth for 10-20 years.”
Ian is fulfilling his dream of running his own business, experiencing the ins and outs of entrepreneurship daily. “I’m really confident that the entrepreneurship path is the one for me. Even if it’s been a terrible day, knowing that it’s my business and I own it and it’s on me to figure it out—that level of agency is really what I was craving,” he says.
Learn more about SBA loans with Scale Bank here.
