We recently sat down with Joseph Camberato, Founder and CEO of National Business Capital, to talk about how established business owners can use capital as a strategic growth tool rather than a last resort. National Business Capital is the leading advisor-led funding partner for established businesses seeking $250K or more in growth capital. Since founding the company in 2007, Camberato has helped business owners across the country access more than $2.5 billion in financing.
At Journey Advisory Group, many of our clients are business owners navigating decisions about both their personal wealth and their business growth. We asked Camberato how those decisions connect and what established business owners often get wrong.
Q: What's the most common mistake established business owners make when they start thinking about growth capital?
Joseph: Waiting until there's pressure. I get calls all the time from owners who are already in a tough spot. Payroll is coming up, a big invoice hasn't cleared, or a new contract is starting, and they don't have the cash to support it yet. When you're in that position, you're not making the best decisions about structure. The businesses that use capital most effectively treat it as a planning tool, not a fire alarm. They're thinking ahead, asking what they want to accomplish in the next year or two and what structure actually supports that goal.
Q: Many business owners assume the bank is the right first call when they need capital. Is that always true?
Joseph: Banks work for some businesses, but they're not always the right fit. The process is slow, and the criteria are strict. And what they offer may not match what the business actually needs. We see a lot of owners who were turned down or just couldn't afford to wait, and most of them had no idea there were other options available. As a direct lender that also works closely with capital providers across industries, we offer the speed and control of lending from our own balance sheet, plus the flexibility to tailor solutions when the situation calls for it.
Q: National Business Capital describes itself as advisor-led. What does that actually mean for a business owner?
Joseph: It means we start with what the business is actually trying to accomplish, not just the number someone came in asking for. Our advisors want to understand where the business is headed, what the capital is going to do, and whether the structure makes sense given the cash flow and timeline. A lot of owners come in thinking they need a Term Loan and walk out with a Line of Credit because that's the better fit for what they're trying to do. We're not here to push a product. We want the structure to actually work for the business.
Q: The clients we work with at Journey Advisory Group are business owners who think carefully about their overall financial health, including personal savings, retirement, and long-term planning. How does a business capital decision connect to that bigger picture?
Joseph: More than most people realize. I've seen owners take on poorly structured funding and feel it in ways they didn't expect, not just in the business but personally. What they can take home changes. The risk they're carrying changes. And that affects how freely they can invest in their own future. The flip side is also true. When capital is structured well, it opens things up on both sides. Business funding and personal financial planning are not as separate as most people treat them.
Q: What's one practical thing a business owner should do before they start pursuing growth capital?
Joseph: Get clear on what the capital needs to accomplish. Not just "we need money," but what are we actually trying to do? When does the revenue from that come in? What does repayment look like against our real cash flow? Most business owners skip that step, and it costs them. That clarity is what helps you find the right structure, and it makes every conversation with a lender or advisor go a lot smoother.
National Business Capital is the leading advisor-led funding partner for established businesses seeking $250K or more in growth capital. With more than $2.5 billion in financing deployed since 2007, National works directly with business owners to evaluate funding options, compare structures, and deploy capital aligned with their goals.