Skip to search results
LenderHawk
FindCompareLearn
See LendersFind SBA Lenders
LenderHawk

Find the right SBA lender based on real data. Free, objective, no middleman.

Built on real SBA lending data, FY2010–FY2025.

Find

  • Search Lenders
  • Lender Directory
  • By State
  • By Industry
  • 7(a) Program
  • 504 Program
  • Loan Purposes
  • Compare Lenders

Learn

  • Guides
  • Insights
  • Deal Breakdowns
  • Methodology
  • How It Works

Tools

  • All Tools
  • Rate Spread
  • DSCR
  • Down Payment
  • Affordability
  • Borrower Journey

About

  • About
  • For Lenders
  • For Brokers

© 2026 LenderHawk

SitemapPrivacyTerms
Podcasts/Acquiring Minds
Acquiring Minds

Surviving The Nightmare Sales Plunge 95

with Jesse Sapphire · ABG Print

LenderHawk analysis. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Acquiring Minds.

The Deal

Business
ABG Print
Industry
Commercial printing services
State
NY
Purchase Price
$1.4M
Multiple (EBITDA)
3.5x
Year
2019
Financing
SBA 7a
Revenue at Purchase
$3.8M
LTV at Close
5%
Deal Source
direct outreach

Financing Structure

SBA 7(a)
Seller Note
$70K
low fixed rate
Buyer Equity
$14K
Investor Equity

Strategic Rationale

Searcher acquired established printing business with 27-year operating history, proven resilience through prior downturns, strong cashflow generation, and appealing to self-funded model rather than traditional search fund criteria.

Post-Acquisition Performance

Business grew 25-30% in first nine months pre-pandemic; COVID-19 caused 95% revenue collapse in two days forcing reduction from 22 to 4 employees; survived through PPP, EIDL, and main street lending programs plus negotiations with lenders and suppliers; recovered to 2.5 million revenue by 2023 with expansion into new customer segments in fashion, luxury goods, and private equity; diversified away from concentrated financial services customer base.

The LenderHawk View

Real lenders that finance similar deals

Active Lenders
10
Median Spread
P + 1.75%
Top Lenders
Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company18 deals
KeyBank National Association17 deals
New York Business Development Corporation12 deals
TD Bank, National Association11 deals
NBT Bank, National Association7 deals
See all matching lenders →

Key Takeaways

  • 1Finding out whether you truly love your work requires going through significant adversity; if you still want to do it when things get extremely difficult, you have found your vocation.
  • 2Transparency and honest communication with all stakeholders including lenders, suppliers, landlords, and employees during crises builds trust and cooperation rather than adversarial relationships.
  • 3Maintaining positive team morale and shared purpose during existential business threats depends on acknowledging reality while remaining focused on solutions rather than blame.
  • 4For self-funded searchers, avoiding businesses optimized for exit multiples and focusing on stable cashflow businesses can reduce pressure during downturns.
  • 5Industry concentration risk can be catastrophic; diversifying customer base and revenue streams provides resilience against sector-specific shocks.