Do YOU believe?

The end…of disbelief…

As entrepreneurs, we have an instinctive ability to suspend our disbelief in certain situations and ponder what could be or what might be. We refuse to listen to the voices that tell us something is impossible or unachievable. That’s why I was a bit dismayed when my son recently said he’s starting to get skeptical about the existence of Santa Claus.

To find out what parental measures I took to remedy this…AND to hear a very special holiday message from a very special someone…go to www.504blog.com/disbelief.

Once again, all of us here at Mercantile wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!

-Chris

Holiday Wishes and Merry Christmases…

‘Tis the Season, right?

This is the time of year when we make a point to remember the people who make it possible to do what we do — you and others like you. We have a clearly stated mission: to help small business owners create wealth through commercial property ownership by providing the smartest financing possible…and this is something we’re very passionate about.

World’s youngest entrepreneur…

What does this two-year-old girl know that you don’t?

I got an email the other day from Angela, who works in our loan closing department. She included a picture of her daughter, Kayla, who has taken to carrying around my new book with her. Angela said she even reads to Kayla from the book every now and then.

Now, Kayla’s only two years old, so she’s probably not actually processing how she can apply what I write about in my book and create wealth for herself. At least, not yet.

Wealth Wednesday 2012…

Entrepreneurs deserve a day for themselves, right?

Since we’ve had Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday, I’m claiming today for all entrepreneurs as WEALTH WEDNESDAY. When small business owners make smart decisions about wealth creation, jobs are created and our economy grows stronger as a whole. On this Inaugural Wealth Wednesday, take a minute to consider what you can do to create wealth for yourself — for the sake of your business and all the people who depend on your business (your family, employees, customers, etc.).

Go to www.504blog.com/wealthwednesday to read more about this impromptu holiday-of-sorts.

Wishing you a Happy, Productive, and Successful Wealth Wednesday!

Chris

P.S. Be sure to share this with as many people as possible, and use the hashtag #wealthwednesday when you talk it up on Twitter. Thanks!

FOX News Interview via Skype…

I’m no technological wizard…

Around the office, I’ve earned a reputation as the “black hole of technology.” Gadgets and devices just don’t seem to get along with me all the time, and I’m thankful that I work with some more tech-savvy people who don’t mind helping when my phone or computer decide to rebel. Today is a victory for me, however. I was invited to appear on FOX News this morning, and I had to use Skype to do the interview due to my travel

Movie Night next Thursday…

Join us for a Complimentary Viewing of Atlas Shrugged II!

You may remember that we hosted a special screening of Atlas Shrugged last year. In case you haven’t heard, the sequel (Atlas Shrugged II) is out and we’re doing it again!

You’re invited to join us for this private screening next Thursday (October 18th, one week from today). Go

Official book trailer released today…

We’re now just two weekend days away from the official release date of my first book: The Entrepreneur’s Secret to Creating Wealth! To celebrate, we’re releasing the official book trailer today. Go to www.504blog.com/book-trailer to watch it and to get more details about the three special offers regarding the book.

Thanks in advance for reading, watching, and sharing! And Happy Friday!

Dedicated to Your Continued Success,

Chris

P.S. You can now buy the book online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million. Who doesn’t love options?

It’s International Book Week!

And I’ve got some Special Offers for you regarding MY book…

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. Go to www.504blog.com to watch today’s video blog and get the whole story…

Thanks for reading, watching, commenting, and sharing. Stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the release date of October 1st.

Dedicated to Your Continued Success,

Chris

BIG Announcement: New Resource for Small Business Owners…

I mentioned via social media last week that I’d have a big announcement yesterday. Well, we all know how busy Mondays can be, so it got postponed until today. Nevertheless, I’m extremely proud to announce that my first book will launch on October 1st!

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you’ve known that this has been coming for some time. You may have even helped me choose the title and cover design (and I’m grateful for your input). We now know that The Entrepreneur’s Secret to Wealth Creation: How the Smartest Business Owners Build Their Fortunes will be available for purchase on October 1st…but you need to know some details about our charity-benefitting presale happening right now, so watch the short video I’ve posted on my blog: www.504blog.com/book-announcement.

Will Congress listen?

Small businesses need our help…

I’ve started a petition on Change.org in order to generate some buzz for the extension of two very important SBA loan programs. To learn more about the SBA 504 FMLP and Refi programs, and to find out why it’s imperative that Congress extend them, watch the video I posted today on my blog (probably the shortest one I’ve ever done).

Thanks in advance, on behalf of small business owners all over the country!

Chris

P.S. If you’re short on time today and you’d rather skip the video and go straight to the petition, you’ll find it at bit.ly/fmlp-refi-petition. Thanks!

SBA 504 loans and the Olympics?

SBA 504 Loans, the Olympics, and Book Cover Judging…

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.

In defense of entrepreneurs…

To all Entrepreneurs — Yes, you DID build that!

I have a handful of things I talk about in this week’s video blog — our record-breaking first six months of the year, the results of the Social Madness competition, and my recent nomination as a Top 100 Small Business Influencer — but I’m going to spend the bulk of my time on what President Obama said (exactly one week ago today) about business owners.

The Avengers of small business lending?

Shattering records, just like The Avengers…sort of.

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

Commercial loan calculator smartphone app released today…

Our Android app is now available, and we’re in the “Final Four” of Social Madness…

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, 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 at 504blog.com/android-socialmadness.

Ben Franklin on Small Business Week, Beer, and the Facebook IPO…

It’s Founding Father Friday…

If you’ve ever wondered what I’d look like dressed up as Ben Franklin, (and who hasn’t, really?) today’s your day. I’ve donned colonial-esque gear to channel one of my favorite Founding Fathers and bring you a special message as we wind down National Small Business Week.

A lost giraffe, a lying father, and the Ritz-Carlton…

Joshie at the Ritz-Carlton: An Extraordinary Customer Experience…

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 two hours or so from Orlando.

Video of My Recent Senate Testimony…

If you missed it live, you can watch it now…

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 from 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 here.

Update on my Senate testimony earlier today…

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 my testimony last Friday, I was advised that I could submit a lengthy written testimony and summarize the high points in my verbal testimony. To read more about why I did this, and to read the full text of my written testimony, go here.

We’re supposed to get a video of the hearing soon, and you’ll be the first to know when we do. Thanks for your continued support of America’s small business owners. Let’s all cross our fingers that this hearing and other things that are in motion will trigger some needed beneficial changes for our small business community.

Dedicated to Your Continued Success,

Chris

P.S. Let me know how I did (if you happened to catch the live video stream) and/or what you think about my full written testimony. Email me at ChrisHurn@MercantileCC.com or leave a comment on my blog. Thanks in advance!

Small Business Lender to Testify on Capitol Hill

I’m on my way to Washington to fight for Small Businesses!

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.

Update on small business jobs legislation…

Time to Make Some Noise in Washington…

Here's an UPDATE on what transpired yesterday regarding the JOBS Act (H.R. 3606) and the Reed-Landrieu-Levin Amendment.

Late yesterday, cloture (motion to limit debate) failed on the Reed-Landrieu-Levin Amendment, which included an extension for the SBA 504 Refi program. The cloture motion needed 60 votes and got only 55. This vote was expected due to other issues related to the underlying bill, and was not a reflection on the merits of the one-year refi extension.

An Urgent Request on Behalf of Small Businesses…

I really don’t feel very well today. I’ve been fighting some sort of virus since late last week, but I came to the office today solely to film a short video for you and compose an urgent blog post. The reason I willed myself to get off the couch, drive to the office, and put my employees’ health at risk is that America’s small businesses need your help (today). In short, I’m asking you to make four (just four) phone calls (again, today).

Should the SBA be abolished?

What do you think about abolishing the SBA?

The Wall Street Journal announced last week that an upcoming special report will explore the pros and cons of abolishing the U.S. Small Business Administration. This comes in response to President Obama wanting to consolidate a handful of government agencies, and while I’m generally all for streamlining and simplifying government, I’m against what’s being proposed in this case.

Special Leap Day Video…

Leap Day Edition of “Inside the Lenders Studio”

As I promised last week, I’ve uploaded my first edition of “Inside the Lenders Studio” — inspired by James Lipton’s Inside the Actors Studio. I’ve been watching that show a lot lately, and I’ve realized that I’m not as introspective as I think I am. Actors, because it’s their job to interpret different characters and personalities, seem to be fairly introspective when asked about where they came from, why they do what they do, what they aspire to be, and so on.

NBA, NASCAR, Oscars, and more?

The weekend ahead…and what can entrepreneurs learn from actors?

We’re on the verge of a BIG weekend. Sunday’s the day for TV-watching: the NASCAR Daytona 500 will be run in the afternoon, the NBA All-Star Game will be played right here in Orlando (within walking distance of MCC Headquarters), and the Academy Awards (better known as the Oscars) will happen in Prime Time.

No love for small businesses

No Love this Valentine’s Day for America’s Small Businesses…

I was a bit fired up yesterday. Not because it was Valentine’s Day, but because America’s small businesses still aren’t getting the attention and assistance they deserve. Though it took me a while to properly frame my thoughts, I finally have a video for you that expresses how I feel about President Obama’s treatment of small businesses, the recent SBA changeups, and a lot more.

BONUS Friday Video: A Busy Week in Small Business Lending…

There’s a whole lot going on here at Mercantile and in the world of small business lending. There’s so much going on, in fact, that I decided to do another video blog — the second one this week. This is unprecedented for us, but I want to keep you in the loop on our latest SBA lending webinar, our upcoming Open House, President Obama’s Disney visit yesterday, and the SBA Administrator becoming a member of the President’s Cabinet. Oh, and there’s Rick Perry’s little comment about abolishing the SBA (a pretty terrible idea in our humble opinion). Little wonder he’s just withdrawn from the presidential race.

Well…without any further ado, go to www.504blog.com to view our second video blog this week.

Thanks for watching and sharing with others. If you ever have any questions about commercial property financing or the small business community in general, don’t hesitate to call us at 1-866-622-4504, email info@mercantilecc.com or leave a comment at www.504blog.com. As we get closer to the presidential election over the next several months, you can count on us to keep you in the know about what matters to small business owners and their advisors.

Dedicated to Your Continued Success,

Chris

P.S. Enjoy your weekend!