Funding Foundations: How to Build a Business That Lenders Will Trust

Event description

Starting a business is exhilarating—but it's also the perfect time to build strong financial habits that will open doors, not close them. Getting funding isn’t just about having a great idea — it’s about building a business lenders believe in. Join the Temple SBDC and a panel of experienced lenders as we uncover the early-stage mistakes that can prevent your business from qualifying for loans down the road. Learn what lenders look for in financials, credit history, and business planning so you can set your startup on the path to long-term financial success.

Learning Objectives:
•    Understand the key factors lenders evaluate when reviewing loan applications.
•    Identify common startup mistakes that reduce funding eligibility.
•    Learn practical strategies to strengthen your business’s financial foundation.
•    Discover how to start building a strong relationship with lenders early on.

Who Should Attend?
•    Entrepreneurs in business less than one year
•    New business owners wondering what lenders look for
•    Anyone who wants to get their financial foundation right from the start
•    Business owners interested in positioning themselves for future growth and financing
•     Don't let early mistakes limit your future opportunities. Register today and build the financial practices that get you funded.

Panelist

Bryant Keal - EntreWorks
A Philadelphia native, graduate student at Eastern University, and small business owner, Bryant brings a strong background in small business development, entrepreneurship, and community engagement to his role as Loan Officer. With hands-on experience as both a business owner and mentor, he is passionate about helping entrepreneurs access the resources and capital they need to grow. At Entrepreneur Works, Bryant focuses on guiding clients through the loan process, building community relationships, and ensuring every borrower feels supported from application to success.

Ray Haden - Temple SBDC
Although Ray joined the Temple SBDC in 2025, he actually started his career with the SBDC network at Wilkes University SBDC where he was employed as a business consultant and capital acquisition specialist. More recently, he worked in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania at Bucknell SBDC. Ray’s background is in government finance; part of his work involves assisting clients with the processes related to federal, state, and local financing opportunities. All told, Ray possesses approximately eight years’ experience as a business consultant with the PA SBDC network. In 2024, he also received national recognition as the Pennsylvania State Star. The award is given to SBDC professionals who demonstrate exemplary performance, make significant contributions to their networks, and are deeply committed to the success of America’s small businesses.

Aside from his work as a business consultant, Ray is an enthusiastic musician and a (somewhat less enthusiastic) runner. Self-identified as a life-long learner, Ray earned his Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Political Science and Spanish from King’s College, his Master of Business Administration from Bloomsburg University, and his Doctor of Education from Wilkes University.

Thomas Dowling - Pursuit

Tom Dowling is the VP of Business Development for Pursuit, serving Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. In this role, he supports small businesses of all sizes through a broad range of credit programs and collaboration with funding partners such as banks, credit unions, and economic development organizations. Pursuit complements existing lending solutions by helping meet the financing needs of the small business community through a variety of in-house, state, and federal programs.
Tom has worked in the banking industry for over 30 years, focusing almost exclusively on serving the credit needs of small businesses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. At Pursuit, he leverages the organization’s 70+ years of experience, history, and technology to deliver meaningful financing solutions to small businesses across the region.