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The Integrated Entrepreneur

Welcome to The Integrated Entrepreneur with Jonathan Fodera, hosted by founder, author, public speaker, investor and entrepreneur Jonathan Fodera. On this podcast you'll learn strategies on how to become a better operator, how to acquire more clients for your company, how to retain those clients, valuable lessons, and how you can avoid the mistakes that Jonathan has triumphed on his path to $500M+ in financing for business owners and entrepreneur's.

Meet the Co-Host:
Keith Gause was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 2. He continues to reside in Jacksonville with my wife, Deanna, and two daughters: Addison (13) and Kylee (10) and their 4 dogs, a cat, a bearded dragon, and a snake. (If it were left to the ladies to decide, they would have a zoo!)

Keith’s childhood was spent playing sports, being an only child, and watching his father become an entrepreneur by continuously failing and trying again. His father built a multimillion-dollar company allowing him to retire and live the life he always dreamed about. Watching his father’s journey taught him a lot about business.

Not ready to jump into the family business, Keith went into the military in the year 2000 at age 18. He spent 5 years assigned to the 20th Special Operations Command in Ft. Walton Beach FL and spent a majority of his military career deployed to places that needed the most attention.

Keith continued in the world of excitement and danger by going into Law Enforcement where he spent 10 years working in Northwest Jacksonville. He worked the nightshift, 6pm -6am, which allowed him to have a full day to make an impact on what he ultimately wanted to do. That goal was to create an empire and to impact as many business owners as possible.

In 2009, wanting to care for his wife and first born in the best way, he took a big risk and spent his entire savings on an inactive business name and one inflatable bounce house. Bounce Around Jax Party Rentals was Northeast Florida’s #1 party and event rental business. At least that is what he believed!

By 2012, Keith was able to make a 7-figure exit and leave Law Enforcement and began to study all things finance & investing. He focused on learning about any mistakes he had made as a business owner and became obsessed with helping others avoid the same ones. That is how Tideland Consulting came to be. Now, Tideland operates in all 50 states and has created a non-bias ecosystem for growth-oriented entrepreneurs that maximizes how each dollar impacts the business, from protecting assets and reducing taxes to succession plans and exit strategies.

In 2023, Tideland aligned with GFG Solutions as a strategic partner to serve business owners at the highest level, with a white-glove service feel from a world-class team.

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The Integrated Entrepreneur

Danger Zone! Landmines to Dodge When Seeking Funding

June 24, 2025 • Jonathan Fodera • Episode 79

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Join the hosts of the Integrated Entrepreneur for an insightful conversation as they explore the intricacies of business financing with Joe, a seasoned former underwriter with 14 years of experience in the alternative funding space. In this episode, Joe sheds light on common mistakes business owners make when applying for financing and offers valuable tips on how to avoid them. The discussion covers the importance of having essential business documents, such as tax returns and licenses, readily available, and emphasizes establishing a solid business presence with a branded domain and proper online profiles to improve approval chances.

The conversation delves into the critical role of business credit in securing favorable loan terms. Joe advises that the best time to apply for a line of credit is when the business is financially strong. The hosts also highlight the significance of separating personal and business finances to prevent negative impacts on personal credit scores and discuss the benefits of maintaining credit utilization below 35%. Practical advice is shared on equipment financing, including the necessity of having accurate dealer invoices for smooth transactions.

As the episode wraps up, the focus shifts to the importance of choosing the right financial partner, emphasizing the need to research and verify lender credibility. Joe and Jonathan discuss the advantages of flat processing fees and cash discount programs for cost reduction while cautioning against potential pitfalls with aggregator services like Square or PayPal. This episode is packed with actionable insights designed to empower listeners with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions for their businesses. Tune in to gain the tools needed to safeguard your business and set it up for long-term success.

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