LinkedIn, Doug Lebda profile (self-reported)

Summary

The public LinkedIn profile page of Doug Lebda, as self-reported, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, with 1K followers. The profile's About section describes him as CEO and company founder of LendingTree, an online loan marketplace. The page lists articles by him, including one on how Fed rate rises affect consumer mortgages and housing, while most experience details are hidden behind a sign-in prompt.

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Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Sign in to view Doug’s full profile Doug can introduce you to 10+ people at LendingTree or New to LinkedIn? Join now By clicking Continue to join or sign in, you agree to LinkedIn’s User Agreement , Privacy Policy , and Cookie Policy . 1K followers 500+ connections

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LendingTree

University of Virginia Darden School of Business

Websites

Company Website

http://lendingtree.com

Company Website

http://tykoon.com

About

Doug is the CEO and company founder of LendingTree, an online loan marketplace where…

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Articles by Doug

- The Fed Has Risen Rates: How Will That Affect Consumer Mortgages and Housing? Dec 19, 2016 The Fed Has Risen Rates: How Will That Affect Consumer Mortgages and Housing? As many analysts had already anticipated over the prior months, the Federal Open Market Committee has risen rates… 29 1 Comment

Experience & Education

- LendingTree ******** ******** * ***
- ****** **********
- *********** ********
- ********** ** ******** ****** ****** ** ******** ****** ** ******** ************** ***** undefined undefined 2012 - 2014
- ********** ** ******** ****** ****** ** ******** - 1996 - 1997

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"My first job is to convince you we're the right bank. My second job is to figure out if the loan is right for us."

Most buyers get this completely backwards.
They walk in aloof, reserved, skeptical. They act like a conservative investor who needs to be convinced.

But the seller isn't a startup founder begging for capital.

They've run this business for years. It's paid for their house, their kids' education, their entire life. And you just walked in treating them like they're trying to unload a lemon.

The seller is thinking: "Is this buyer serious? Are they competent? Will they fire my people?"

They're protecting their baby. Their life's work.

You're not the only one evaluating fit here.

The best buyers understand something different.

They know the fair price will reveal itself later. Their first job isn't to evaluate the business. It's to convince the seller they're the right buyer.

You need to prove 3 things in the first meeting:

1. You're able to close if it's right
2. You're competent and passionate about their business
3. You can solve problems together

Get these right in 20 minutes, and you've already won.

When it's your turn to introduce yourself, treat it like a job interview for CEO of their company.

Thank them for meeting. Highlight your relevant background and accomplishments. Then explain your structured process and commitment to closing.

"I'm actively searching with a structured process. I've met with banks and arranged capital. I'm committed to finding the right business in this timeframe."

Now compliment their business. Pick 2-3 specific characteristics that drew your interest.

This simple introduction just accomplished something powerful.

You proved you're serious, passionate, and respectful of their work. All before they had to ask. While other buyers play hard to get, you just became their favorite candidate.

Here's the advanced move: negotiate everything except price before you make a formal offer.

Figure out what matters to the seller beyond money. Future employment of key people? Timing of close? Avoiding a seller's note? Executing their growth vision?

Everyone has qualitative goals that matter as much as price.

When I sold my own company, I had 2 non-negotiables: The new CEO needed the skillset to take us to the next level. Every employee had to be retained at fair market pay.

Those 2 things mattered more than price. That sale taught me the best deals happen when both sides solve a problem together, not battle over a pie.

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An SBA loan lets you borrow money to buy a business. Because the government backs it, banks offer terms you can't get anywhere else: Low down payment and long repayment window.

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How to position yourself to close one:

Step #1: Get your financials in order

Pull your last 2-3 years of personal tax returns an get your credit above 680. Lenders need to see your financial history before they underwrite. The earlier you pull it together, the faster you move when you find the right deal.

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1. Go to https://lnkd.in/eDtyDk_c
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Homegrown exists to provide proven entrepreneurs growth capital on longer terms (expected 3-5 years) to preserve cash flow without dilution or requiring personal guarantees.

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