Most businesses don’t fail because of bad ideas.
They fail because they run out of capital.
Unbankable is a business podcast for entrepreneurs who don’t wait for permission - especially from banks.
I’m Alex Shvarts, Founder & CEO of FundKite. For over a decade, I’ve worked directly with thousands of small and mid-sized business owners across the United States, providing working capital when traditional banks said no.
On this podcast, I sit down with CEOs, founders, operators, and leaders in alternative finance, fintech, private capital, and business growth to talk about what actually builds durable companies.
No hype. No guru talk.
Just real conversations about:
• Scaling a small business
• Working capital strategy
• Alternative financing
• Risk management
• Hiring and firing decisions
• Cash flow discipline
• Profitable growth
• Leadership under pressure
• Building partnerships that last
If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, startup founder, operator, or executive looking to grow smarter - this show is for you.
We talk about what happens when banks say no.
We talk about execution.
We talk about capital.
And we talk about building something real.
Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another entrepreneur who needs it.
When banks say no - there is FundKite.
Learn more about alternative business funding at 👉 https://fundkite.com
Build smarter.
Scale responsibly.
Stay unbankable.
– Alex Shvarts
From Doctor to CEO | How To Build a Medical Business
How do you turn medical expertise into a successful business?
On this episode of Unbankable, Alex Shvarts, CEO and founder of FundKite, sits down with Dr. Bernard Ashby, cardiologist, physician entrepreneur, and CEO of Comprehensive Vascular Care in Miami, to discuss business funding, small business growth, healthcare entrepreneurship, and building a medical practice from the ground up.
Dr. Ashby shares his journey from academic medicine at Columbia University to becoming the owner of his own medical practice. He explains why being a great doctor does not automatically make you a great business owner, and why physicians need to understand revenue, operations, technology, and leadership.
In this episode:
• Why doctors struggle when transitioning into entrepreneurship
• The hidden business challenges of running a medical practice
• Understanding billing, revenue cycle management, and cash flow
• How AI and technology are transforming healthcare businesses
• Why keeping overhead low is critical for growth
• Building trust while staying focused on ethical medicine
• Lessons every entrepreneur can apply from healthcare
This conversation is about more than medicine. It’s about building systems, making smart business decisions, and creating a company around your expertise.
💬 What skill is more important for entrepreneurs: being great at your craft or learning how to run a business?
📞 Need business funding to grow your company?
877-502-5003
🌐 FundKite.com
4 Sept 2026
The Music Industry Lie Every Artist Needs to Hear | Third World Don
What does it really cost to bet on yourself?
I’m Alex Shvarts, founder and CEO of FundKite. In this episode of the Unbankable Podcast, I sit down with Third World Don—a Billboard-recognized, platinum-certified artist, producer, director, and entrepreneur—to talk about ownership, independence, entrepreneurship, money, creativity, and building a business beyond the music.
Instead of relying on record labels, Third World Don chose to build ownership at every level of his career. After experiencing both success and devastating setbacks—including losing millions and becoming homeless—he rebuilt his life by focusing on discipline, resilience, and long-term thinking.
In this episode
• Why ownership matters more than fame
• Walking away from the traditional record label model
• Lessons learned from Nipsey Hussle
• Losing millions and rebuilding from nothing
• The hidden struggles of entrepreneurship
• Mental health, burnout, and resilience
• How independent artists really make money
• Why streams alone won’t make you wealthy
• Building multiple income streams
• Fame vs ownership
• Why creators must monetize attention
• Financial discipline and long-term wealth
• The importance of leaving a legacy
• Why comparing yourself to others is dangerous
• How to rebuild if everything disappeared tomorrow
Need fast, fair, and flexible business funding to grow your business?
📞 877-502-5003
🌐 FundKite.com
Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs who build businesses on their own terms.
28 Aug 2026
From Soviet Immigrant to Luxury Art Entrepreneur
How do you turn creativity into a real business?
On this episode of Unbankable, Alex Shvarts, CEO and founder of FundKite, sits down with Elena Bulatova, luxury artist and entrepreneur, to discuss entrepreneurship, business growth, small business challenges, and building a company around your own vision.
Elena transformed her passion for art into a multi-location luxury art business with galleries across the U.S. Her story is about taking risks, building a personal brand, managing cash flow, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for permission.
In this episode:
• How Elena built a luxury art business from scratch
• Turning creativity into entrepreneurship
• Selling high-value products through trust and confidence
• Growing galleries and managing business operations
• The importance of resilience and patience
• Funding, cash flow, and lessons from scaling a company
• Building a legacy beyond your work
This conversation is about more than art. It’s about believing in yourself, understanding business, and creating something that can last.
💬 What matters more for entrepreneurs: talent or the ability to build a business around it?
📞 Looking for business funding to grow your company?
877-502-5003
🌐 FundKite.com
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Contact Unbankable with Alex Shvarts
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Unbankable with Alex Shvarts?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
