John Dicanio: How Alternative Lending Evolved & What Business Owners Must Know to Get Funded

John is a highly respected leader in the alternative finance industry, bringing more than 17 years of experience building, scaling, and optimizing high-performing sales and funding organizations.

Throughout his career, he has successfully launched over seven sales organizations and co-founded two funding companies, including one that achieved a successful exit at five times EBITDA and another that continues to fund more than $7 million monthly.

Known for his expertise in alternative lending, sales leadership, and risk assessment, John has developed a reputation for building teams that excel in both customer acquisition and long-term client retention. His approach focuses on thoroughly evaluating business profiles and aligning funding solutions with the unique needs of each client, helping businesses secure the capital necessary for sustainable growth.

In addition to his operational success, John is passionate about mentoring sales professionals, developing funding strategies, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of alternative finance. His insights on leadership, scaling organizations, business funding, sales excellence, and industry trends would provide tremendous value to your audience.

During the show we discuss:

• Why paying more for capital can sometimes be the smarter business decision
• The bank-statement signals funders actually look at
• Why a "business credit card" may not actually build business credit
• How to go from alternative funding to traditional financing
• The 0% funding trap—and what to check before applying
• Why business owners get rejected even when they think they're ready
• How AI could eliminate huge portions of the traditional underwriting process
• Why the right funder should help you become more fundable—not just close today's deal

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdicanio/
Website: https://directmerchantfunding.com/