In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Dr. Alex sits down with Zach Balmer of Lexicon Bank, a national preferred SBA lender, to break down how SBA financing works for assisted living projects. 💰🏡

With over 20 years in banking and deep experience in the senior housing space, Zach explains how SBA loans can help operators fund acquisitions, startups, and ground-up construction—even when conventional financing says no.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ What an SBA loan actually is (and how the government guarantee works)
✅ Key differences between SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans
✅ Loan maximums, structure options, and when to use each program
✅ Why acquisitions are booming—and why startups are rising again
✅ Common SBA myths (and why the process isn’t as scary as people think)
✅ How to position yourself for approval and long-term success

👉 If you’re planning to buy, build, or expand a residential assisted living home and need capital to make it happen, this episode will give you clarity and confidence around SBA financing.

Connect with Zach

Linkedin Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-balmer

Email: zbalmer@lexiconbank.com

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Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/

Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, Dr. Alex sits down with Rachel Robertson, owner of Turnberry Place Assisted Living in Fort Collins, Colorado. With 19 years of hands-on experience, Rachel shares what it really takes to build, sustain, and now expand a successful residential assisted living home. 🏡

From starting with a business partner to becoming a solo owner and mentor to other operators, Rachel’s journey is packed with real-world lessons in leadership, staffing, and long-term growth.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ How Rachel got started in residential assisted living nearly two decades ago
✅ The realities (and risks) of business partnerships
✅ The biggest early challenges and how she overcame them
✅ Building a strong caregiver culture that drives retention
✅ Creative, non-monetary ways to reward and retain staff
✅ Why leadership, presence, and positivity set the tone for your home

👉 If you’re building—or thinking about building—a residential assisted living business that lasts, this episode is full of practical wisdom from someone who’s done it for nearly 20 years.

Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind
Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member
Passively Invest in Assisted Living
Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL
Join our Free Facebook Community

Connect with Charlie
Instagram

Connect with Alex
Instagram
LinkedIn

Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/

Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs

In this episode of the RAL Room Assisted Living Podcast, we are giving our podcast listeners a sneak peek into one of our live mastermind calls! Listen in as the team sits down with Jana Milligan to break down how community education can become one of the most powerful (and overlooked) strategies for building trust, authority, and qualified leads in senior living. 📚🏡

Jana shares how speaking at libraries, senior centers, and independent living communities helped her grow visibility, credibility, and referrals—without spending money on ads.

Here’s what we cover:
✅ Why education-based marketing builds trust faster than traditional outreach
✅ How to use community presentations to attract qualified senior living leads
✅ Choosing the right topics that resonate with seniors and families
✅ Positioning yourself as an expert without “selling”
✅ Turning speaking engagements into consistent referrals and relationships

👉 If you want a low-cost, high-impact way to grow your RAL-related business while serving your community, this episode is a must-listen.

Join the RAL Room Assisted Living Mastermind
Book a Free RAL Room Discovery Call With a Member
Passively Invest in Assisted Living
Get our Free 10-Step Guide to Buy Your First or Next RAL
Join our Free Facebook Community

Connect with Charlie
Instagram

Connect with Alex
Instagram
LinkedIn

Book a Discovery Call with Legato Living: https://theralroom.com/legato/

Legato Living Webinar: https://link.theralroom.com/widget/form/MOHhovWX66z8RdMLiHFs