Lisa Chen
Editor-in-Chief
Former Commercial Lender (Chase), MBA Finance (NYU)
Lisa Chen is a small business finance journalist who spent five years covering alternative lending for industry publications before transitioning to direct consumer education. She has interviewed over 150 small business owners about their loan experiences and maintains a live database of lender rates and approval criteria. Lisa specializes in translating complex underwriting requirements into actionable guidance for first-time borrowers.
Articles by Lisa Chen(5)
Best Business Loans for Small Business 2026: SBA, Term, Line of Credit Compared
Picking the wrong loan type can cost a small business 5-20% in extra interest over the life of the debt. Here are the seven funding options worth understanding in 2026, with rates, terms, and the specific situations each one fits best.
Business Plan Template by Meir Liraz Review: Does This Fill-in-the-Blanks Framework Actually Help SMB Founders?
A fill-in-the-blanks template is only as useful as its underlying structure. We evaluate Liraz's business plan framework against what SBA lenders actually ask for in 2026.
Raising Venture Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur Review: Is Berkery's VC Fundraising Bible Still Relevant?
Berkery's book predates today's seed-stage environment but still teaches the harder skill: understanding term sheet mechanics before you sign. Worth the read?
Easy SBA #1 Step-by-Step Guide by Claire Wood Review: Does The Book Live Up To The Title?
SBA loans are notoriously paperwork-heavy. Does this guide actually make the process 'easy,' or is the title marketing spin?
The EOS Life by Gino Wickman Review: Does This Framework Deliver The Promise Of 'Do What You Love With People You Love'?
Wickman's EOS framework has millions of practitioners. The EOS Life turns inward — can the system that runs your business also redesign your life?