<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[AmiSights]]></title><description><![CDATA[AmiSights is where business strategist, Ami Kassar of MultiFunding writes his daily blog.  Ami shares insights about business growth and much more...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/blog-posts</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:25:56 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.amisights.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/13: Before Alice Got to Wonderland, She Had to Fall]]></title><description><![CDATA[Before Alice ever reached Wonderland, she had to do something uncertain... she had to fall. In Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Alice’s adventure begins the moment she follows curiosity down the rabbit hole. She doesn’t know where it will lead. She simply chooses to go. That moment feels familiar to many of us. Whether you’re starting a business, changing careers, pursuing a new goal, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone, growth often begins the same way... with a...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-13-before-alice-got-to-wonderland-she-had-to-fall</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b2cbab881f20099b2d4793</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:00:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_bcc279ce9d5e40e897fb9db1bbc8bc85~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/12: The SBA Loan Program Didn’t Shrink. It Scaled Up.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Five months into the federal fiscal year, SBA lending is slowing in an unexpected way. From Oct. 1 through the end of February, lenders approved $11.8 billion  in SBA 7(a) loans, down from $14.6 billion  during the same period last year — a decline of about 19.6 percent . But the more striking number isn’t the dollars. It’s the number of loans . At this point last year, the SBA had approved 34,105 loans . This year, the number is 21,638  — a 36.5 percent drop . That means loan counts have...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-12-the-sba-loan-program-didnt-shrink-it-scaled-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b1aa97d1b1d9cdf2118098</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:00:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_8898683f2f5546d892574e78bc1aca59~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/11: Dutch Bros Is Beating Coffee Tradition With Cold Custom Drinks]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dutch Bros has become the third-largest U.S. coffee chain, but ~90% of its sales are cold beverages, especially custom energy drinks, not hot coffee. Its Rebel energy lineup and 40+ flavor mixes are drawing younger customers, while Starbucks and McDonald’s move into the same space. According to The Wall Steet Journal , Dutch Bros is expanding fast, leaning into loyalty rewards, more food options, and broader geographic reach — turning a coffee brand into a custom beverage lifestyle play. Get...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-11-dutch-bros-is-beating-coffee-tradition-with-cold-custom-drinks</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69b033354b8043385bd2fe78</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:00:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_d17b03c156024009815b3ff4b14ddd7b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/10: Sometimes the Best Thing to Do With Money Is… Nothing]]></title><description><![CDATA[An entrepreneur I know recently went through a serious cash crunch. Fortunately, he secured a $150K SBA 7(a) loan to help stabilize the business. Now that he’s through the tight spot, he asked an interesting question: What should I invest the money in? Like many entrepreneurs, his instinct was to start something new. But the truth is, the business doesn’t need a new project. It needs more sales. And he’s still the best salesperson in the company. So instead of deploying the money into...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-10-sometimes-the-best-thing-to-do-with-money-is-nothing</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69af07300c1a368a2fa43068</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:00:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_3f44fc1ed0d648008ab7b4f58ba6fab6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/9: Remote Work Isn’t Dead — It’s Just Harder to Get]]></title><description><![CDATA[The remote-job boom has cooled: available roles are limited, competition is fierce, and pay is adjusting. According to The Wall Street Journal , remote job listings have stabilized around 8% of openings, well below pandemic peaks, yet 40% of applications target them — making remote roles roughly four times harder to land than in-office or hybrid jobs. Employers are now more selective, requiring strong proof of independent productivity and often adjusting pay based on cost of living. Startups...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-9-remote-work-isnt-dead-its-just-harder-to-get</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69aafca425665a6e35ce0c24</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:00:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_8ac5920e0e154a588f0abf1e3a4ee6c0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/6: The Greatest Gift of Leadership: A Team That Wants Each Other to Win]]></title><description><![CDATA[“The greatest gift of leadership is building a team that wants each other to win.” Great leadership isn’t just about strategy, vision, or results. The real gift of leadership is building a team where people genuinely want each other to succeed. In many workplaces, individuals focus on their own performance. But the most effective leaders create a culture where success is shared. When team members celebrate each other’s wins, offer help without being asked, and take pride in collective...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-6-the-greatest-gift-of-leadership-a-team-that-wants-each-other-to-win</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69aa3c07a29c2f981479f68a</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:00:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_60305dc5ebc545f2adeee523794489ea~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/5: Tighter SBA Lending Helps Fuel Alternative Lending]]></title><description><![CDATA[Small business owners today operate within two distinct yet increasingly interconnected capital systems. The first, SBA, is structured, regulated, and taxpayer-backed. It moves deliberately. It asks for tax returns, projections, personal financial statements, and explanations. It is built around the idea that capital should be repaid over time from sustainable cash flow. The SBA’s mission is clear: expand access to capital so small firms can succeed. But loans must be repaid, or taxpayers...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-5-tighter-sba-lending-helps-fuel-alternative-lending</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a8f677ffff75773ebb51ea</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:00:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_7a2c0e9f4ef44602ae6072ceff06a0b8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/4: Small Businesses Picking up the Pace on Offering 401(K) Plans]]></title><description><![CDATA[Once believed to be a luxury or unattainable goal, small businesses are now offering retirement plans to employees at a higher clip. According to The Wall Street Journal , t he number of workers at small businesses with access to 401(k)-style plans has grown by nearly six million since 2019, citing a recent report published by Gusto, a payroll and benefits provider. Although many small businesses lagged behind larger ones in offering 401(k)s due to factors like cost and time involved, a more...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-4-small-businesses-picking-up-the-pace-on-offering-401-k-plans</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a6f639b220091e29d7dee0</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:00:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_a9368d08f4ec45a393f85dc510b6708a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[220: SBA Lending Today: Strategy, Risk, and the Power of Relationships]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week on the  AmiSights Podcast , we’re joined by  Brandi Nelson , Senior Director of Growth Operations at MultiFunding, for a powerful conversation on SBA lending, relationships, and what it really takes to guide entrepreneurs through successful financing. From navigating borrower fatigue to understanding risk in business acquisitions, this episode is packed with practical insights for lenders, advisors, and entrepreneurs alike. If you care about client experience, strong partnerships,...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/220-sba-lending-today-strategy-risk-and-the-power-of-relationships</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a5f65cf00dba1e65388550</guid><category><![CDATA[Amisights Podcast]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:16:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_dcfcbfff97d64104a26939a17d3448b4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/3: SBA Lending Today: Strategy, Risk, and the Power of Relationships]]></title><description><![CDATA[This week on the AmiSights Podcast , we’re joined by Brandi Nelson , Senior Director of Growth Operations at MultiFunding, for a powerful conversation on SBA lending, relationships, and what it really takes to guide entrepreneurs through successful financing. From navigating borrower fatigue to understanding risk in business acquisitions, this episode is packed with practical insights for lenders, advisors, and entrepreneurs alike. If you care about client experience, strong partnerships, and...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-3-sba-lending-today-strategy-risk-and-the-power-of-relationships</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a5c8bb60298c02e5bfe729</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:16:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_dcfcbfff97d64104a26939a17d3448b4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 3/2: Tariff Ruling Brings More Questions About Refunds]]></title><description><![CDATA[With the Supreme Court ruling that Trump’s global tariffs are illegal, American business executives are trying to figure out if importers can reclaim billions in paid levies. The Wall Street Journal reports  while companies are cautiously optimistic, there is still a lot of uncertainty. Not willing to concede, Trump has announced a new global tariff of 15% under a different legal authority, arguing the levies are necessary to address large trade and balance-of-payments deficits. Although...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-3-2-tariff-ruling-brings-more-questions-about-refunds</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a1f8a550fcf4a427a04c43</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:00:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_f2c1b3404e144520b7f182f5a8cabf07~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/27: The Ripple Effect of Kindness]]></title><description><![CDATA[“Remember there's no small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." It’s easy to underestimate the power of something simple. A smile, a thoughtful text, holding the door, giving someone the benefit of the doubt. We label these gestures as small. But kindness does not operate on a scale. It operates on impact. One kind word can shift someone’s entire day. That better day can change how they treat their coworker. That interaction can influence a decision. And that...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-27-the-ripple-effect-of-kindness</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a0c9593a2716aeb2159460</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:00:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_a2323f9d665342ceb48b44e0c67c1420~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/26: Be Careful How You Structure Short-Term Debt]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’re taking a short-term loan to get through a temporary cash squeeze, pay close attention to how it’s structured. Do everything you can to make sure the repayment is a fixed amount — daily, weekly, or monthly. Why? Because if the repayment is structured as a variable percentage of your sales, you will eliminate your ability to refinance that debt with an SBA loan later. And refinancing into an SBA loan is often how businesses reduce payments to something manageable and create breathing...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-26-be-careful-how-you-structure-short-term-debt</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699f18dc12cb2e7c18f02efb</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_d6364adb7126458c9b0b6b84e240be49~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/25: The AI Moment That Feels Like Early 2020]]></title><description><![CDATA[Remember six years ago at this time when there were rumblings of a deadly virus rapidly spreading that everybody needed to be cognizant about? Some people took it seriously and some didn't. And then within weeks the entire world changed. HyperWriteAI CEO Matt Shumer senses another seismic moment – this time in AI – and shares his thoughts about it in “Something Big Is Happening.” While big jumps in AI have happened intermittently over the past few years, Shumer says Feb. 5 was a game-changer...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-25-the-ai-moment-that-feels-like-early-2020</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699e03c610b7eac1dece4fc8</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:00:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_c2155da5e9814cd5aeb23bf0dd8b0b35~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/24: The Power of the Personal Reboot]]></title><description><![CDATA[Have you ever thought about how humans are actually a lot like computers? Every once in a while, a computer needs a reboot. There’s nothing left to click. No setting to tweak. You just have to hit restart. You don’t always know exactly when it’s going to happen — but you know eventually, it will. The same thing happens to us. Late last week, I fried out. Didn’t see it coming. My system just shut down. People were asking what was wrong, if I was okay. Truth is, nothing was “wrong.” I just...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-24-the-power-of-the-personal-reboot</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699c7ba913097f60f940fa3e</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:01:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_82933839eabf4438a12879406bb9a601~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/23: Family Farms Dwindling as Children Seek Other Lifestyles]]></title><description><![CDATA[For centuries, family farms have been handed down to the next generation without missing a beat. Now that tradition is dwindling as rising costs, weak prices and a trade hit are straining farmers, and making the search for their successors harder than ever. The Wall Street Journal reports  that thousands of American farmers are shutting down farms that have been in their families for generations, either by selling to a larger entity or declaring bankruptcy. Children of farmers today have more...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-23-family-farms-dwindling-as-children-seek-other-lifestyles</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699c44969b838a9bc8749e52</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:16:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_a15c0f7d1b444f89bed258a49db91508~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/20: The Quiet Practice That Changes Your Reality]]></title><description><![CDATA[“A friend made the suggestion to start a note in my phone called ‘good things are always happening to me’ and to purposefully find something to add to it every day. Absolute game changer.” It seems simple, but it quietly changes how you see your life. Instead of focusing on stress, mistakes, or what is missing, you begin training your mind to notice the good. A small win, a kind moment, a bit of progress. Over time, your perspective shifts, gratitude grows, and life feels lighter. Good things...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-20-the-quiet-practice-that-changes-your-reality</link><guid isPermaLink="false">699727f3563224cff611ca9d</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:00:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_5af8d2fc3fd7495d812b5a2387df8938~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/19: When a Partnership Starts to Strain]]></title><description><![CDATA[Partnerships rarely fall apart all at once. More often, they fray slowly. Small disagreements linger a little longer. Conversations feel heavier. Trust erodes just enough that uncertainty begins to fill the space. In a 50/50 partnership, that uncertainty can be especially destabilizing. There’s no natural tie-breaker, and when alignment slips, even minor issues can start to feel existential. I recently spoke with a business owner who finds himself in that exact place. The company is doing...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-19-when-a-partnership-starts-to-strain</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6995f22df797687350e606e6</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:01:15 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_9ee13dfbeef34e948f0c47541e91af7c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[AmiSight 2/18: Trade Ties Fray as China Pushes for Independence From the West]]></title><description><![CDATA[The honeymoon appears to be over for the American and Chinese economies. And the divorce looks to be messy. The Wall Street Journal reports  that since early 2024, Beijing in a concerted effort has allocated nearly $1 trillion to build self-sufficiency in agriculture, energy and the semiconductors that power its artificial-intelligence drive. The shift fulfills a longstanding Chinese ambition to no longer be a junior partner to the West. Although neither side wants to end all trade between...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/amisight-2-18-trade-ties-fray-as-china-pushes-for-independence-from-the-west</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69949f8f7e0fff3296151326</guid><category><![CDATA[Blogs]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:00:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_d2630aa10f8e411eabf795dbb8a10af4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[219: A Father’s Purpose: How Two Sons Inspired a Business That Changes Lives]]></title><description><![CDATA[In this week’s edition of the AmiSights Podcast, we’re thrilled to have Julie Zarr , Business Loan Advisor at MultiFunding, and her client, Jeffrey Peterson , CEO of The Wash , as our guests. They share the story of their collaboration, the deal they worked on together, and how the right guidance can make all the difference. Jeffrey’s journey is truly inspiring, and we’re honored to feature it. "I want my employees to have a safe place to come to work. I want them to be prideful in where...]]></description><link>https://www.amisights.com/post/218-a-father-s-purpose-how-two-sons-inspired-a-business-that-changes-lives</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6993825f159d7fac9641ef9d</guid><category><![CDATA[Amisights Podcast]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:15:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/2ce239_6dcf0992be0843ad8d7d226ec2fd32fb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_900,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Ami Kassar</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>