Business Growth Financing Strategies with Sybrina Ely

July 31, 2025

MIN

Business Growth Financing Strategies with Sybrina Ely

What if your next big leap in real estate or business growth depended more on strategic partnerships than interest rates? In today’s interview, George Wright III sits down with Sabrina Ely, CEO of Kenbry Capital, to unpack how transparency, alignment, and creative financing can help investors scale smarter—not harder.

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Business Growth Financing Strategies with Sybrina Ely

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Okay. Welcome back to The Daily Mastermind, George Wright III with your daily dose of inspiration, motivation, and education. We’ve got a special guest in the house today — Sabrina Ely, how are you doing?

Hi. Good. Thanks George. Thanks for having me today.

Yeah, this is great. We've been trying to coordinate our schedules, but you're as busy as I am, so I'm glad we were able to finally get together. Let me give everybody just a quick intro. One of the reasons why I wanted to have you on is because a lot of businesses right now are trying to scale. It's a really crowded marketplace, and financing and funding — which is what your company does — is kind of an unknown. A lot of people are struggling with it. I wanted to be able to talk about this.

So for those of you listening that don't know Sabrina, she's the President and CEO of Kenbry Capital, a private money lending and non-traditional commercial financing firm. They do things in a very strategic way to help businesses scale. So maybe what you could do, Sabrina, is just give us a quick overview — where you came from and what created the need and desire for you to start Kenbry. Why did you start the company?

Thanks, George. I really like where you were going with just kind of giving a little bit of background about what we do. We do anything from a fix-and-flip to a large construction loan. Anything that's considered commercial — meaning you're not going to live in it — falls into our space. So those are the types of financing and funding that we do.

I would say what sets us apart is our ability to move quickly, solve creatively, and show up with clarity — especially when banks can't. We're going to be that strategic partner in building someone’s portfolio.

What got me involved in Kenbry was seeing a strong need for a better system for investors to find funding in an easier way. There are a lot of outdated programs through banks or hard money lenders, but not everyone fits that traditional mold.

At Kenbry, we believe there's a better way to find great deals, be creative, and truly support people on their investment journey.

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Building a Relationship-First Model

I love that. Obviously, for those people that don't know your background — I mean, you've had companies and a lot of experience in the business world — you’ve experienced those hard ways of getting traditional financing. So I like that you’ve taken a different approach to this.

There are a lot of financing companies and options out there, and sometimes it does come down to knowing who you're working with. I personally like having a relationship with the bank or strategic partners I use, because it's hard to cut through the noise.

We deal in authority building, and we really promote the idea that you should work with people you trust, respect, and like — people who have your best interests at heart. You're an entrepreneur, obviously, and founder of a company. You did that, I’m sure, to get some flexibility, but you also really promote relationships and people. Why is that so important in the finance business?

In finance, if you can be radically clear and transparent from day one and build trust with the borrower — understanding that this is a risk for them — and you walk that risk with them, it changes everything. We’re not just doing a transaction. We’re looking at their long-term plan. What’s their goal? What are they working towards? How do we help them get there — not just with this transaction, but with the next several down the road?

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The Power of Transparency

It’s interesting because I talk to a lot of people about the difference between tax planning and tax preparation. A lot of people don’t realize that anyone can do tax preparation or get financing, but true planning — just like financial strategy — requires looking ahead.

You mentioned transparency. Everyone loves the idea of it, but what do you really mean when you say transparency is a core value in your business?

There’s a lot of risk in real estate and investing. You could potentially get into a transaction that doesn’t align with what’s going to happen to you down the road. You might end up paying a higher rate. Or maybe you get into a property in a rural area that doesn’t attract reinvestment.

If you’re in a commercial property, you might find that your tenant can’t pay rent at a level that covers your mortgage. These things matter. So we focus on helping people understand the full picture. We listen to their entire story, read between the lines, and align every decision we make with transparency, alignment, and growth.

It’s not just about approving a loan — it’s about building a long-term financial roadmap. We’re not a transaction-based company. We’re creating a project that’s going to last and perform.

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The Investor Mindset: Strategic Partners vs. One-Offs

That’s really interesting. What you're saying is a lot of borrowers just go out and get financing without thinking through future variables — like whether their renters will cover the mortgage or how long they’ll hold a property. You’re really helping them project beyond the numbers.

Let me ask you this — do investors value having a strategic partner, or do most people not even think about it? I’ve found that a lot of CEOs and founders don’t know what they don’t know. What’s been your experience when you meet people at events or through your masterminds?

I would say we get both. Because we don’t have that traditional lender box — you don’t have to fit A, B, and C — we work with a wide range of borrowers.

We have seasoned investors who have been doing this for 20 years and own 400+ properties. But we also have brand-new investors who are just starting out. They have a lot of questions and need nurturing. And we’re willing to take the time with both.

The seasoned investor might just be trying to scale. The newer investor is learning everything. And that space between knowing and having is where we do some of our best work. We’re here to sit in that learning curve with them.

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From Knowledge to Application

I love that. Especially right now with AI and so much access to online info, people can get educated quickly. But application — that’s the gap. That’s the value of a strategic business partner like you.

What do you think are the biggest mistakes investors make when they try to secure financing? You’ve worked with so many businesses — what are some patterns you’ve noticed?

That’s such a great question. The number one issue we run into is people chasing rates.

Everyone’s always looking for the best rate. But there’s so much more to a financial strategy than that. Sometimes it’s about vision, flexibility, and speed. And too often, that gets overlooked.

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Beyond the Rate: Strategic Decisions That Matter

Let me jump in on that, because you're right — I think most people in business are just looking at the numbers. But what you’re saying is, if you go deeper than the numbers and align with your goals, the lowest rate might actually hurt you. Do you have an example of when someone was chasing a rate and it backfired?

Absolutely. A lot of times, clients will get deep into the process — underwriting is done, documents are ready, and we’re scheduled to close the next day — and then suddenly, we find out their credit dropped. Maybe they bought a car. Maybe something happened that disrupted their credit.

That kind of thing can derail the entire deal. What I love about working with clients long-term is we’re not just chasing perfection. We’re focused on building momentum.

Having a financing partner means having someone in your corner who will push you forward, help you make tough decisions, and keep you moving — even when you're second-guessing yourself.

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Knowledge Gaps and Strategic Support

Yeah, because the truth is — and I’ve been involved with businesses at all levels — if you’re scaling, you’re almost always working outside your comfort zone and your knowledge base. That’s why having professionals around you who understand things you don’t is so critical.

Otherwise, you make mistakes and don’t even know it until it’s too late. So let me ask you this: when you're working with larger companies that are already growing, do you end up partnering with them over and over again? Or is it typically just a one-time transaction?

Oh, it’s never one and done. Once we’ve closed a deal, we’re not done. Our next question is always, “What’s your next project?” We’ll call you a few months later and say, “You’ve got this much time left on your mortgage — ready to scale again?” We’re right there next to you.

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Reframing the Goal: Wealth Building vs. Deal Making

That’s interesting. Because I think a lot of businesses actually set the wrong goal. They focus on just getting deals done, and forget their real objective — which is to build wealth.

Do you work with people who are actively growing their wealth? And how do you help them avoid getting caught in that trap of just chasing deals?

Definitely. And even if someone isn’t focused on long-term wealth at first, that’s okay. We can help them with a one-off deal.

But most of the people we work with are entrepreneurs. They’re risk-takers. They want to build something big. Maybe it starts as a side hustle — fixing and flipping — but eventually they become full-time real estate investors.

Having someone who sees that vision in you, who’s excited about your goals, and who can help draw that out of you makes all the difference. And here’s the thing — at our company, we say no doesn’t always mean no. If you hit a hurdle, we help you get past it. We’re a team. We’ll figure out how to keep your momentum going.

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Choosing the Right Funding Source: Bank Loans vs. Private Lending

So I wanted to ask you this because I think some investors or business owners are trying to decide between going the traditional route with banks or exploring private money lending. Sometimes they’re hesitant — maybe they associate private lending with hard money lenders. What advice do you give people who are on the fence about that decision?

You know, I’m such a relationship person that my go-to answer is: relationship. Go meet with that bank. Go meet with that traditional lender. See how it feels. Does it feel good?

Meet with the non-traditional lender, meet with the private money lender. How does that feel? Did they ask you the questions that really got to the heart of your why? Why are you buying this property? Why are you refinancing? What’s your pain point? What’s the solution you’re truly seeking?

And how were they willing to get you there? Did they challenge your assumptions and offer ideas you hadn’t thought of? Did they help you uncover holes in your plan?

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Building Real Relationships for Long-Term Growth

Yeah, I think no matter where you are in your funding or scaling journey, having a strong relationship matters — not just with you, but with the lenders themselves. What’s one thing you believe investors should start doing right now to increase their success?

This is going to sound simple, but the very first thing is: watch your credit. Be mindful of the health of your credit profile. So many things can throw it off.

I'm curious — do you base a lot of your lending on business credit, or is it mostly personal credit and personal guarantees? Or does it depend?

Typically what we look for is a 660 credit score or above. That’s our benchmark for lending worthiness, which is actually fairly lenient compared to traditional banks — they often want to see 720 or higher.

That said, most of our financing is collateralized. So while credit is one piece of the puzzle and helps us understand your ability to manage money or a project, it’s not the only factor. You might pay a higher rate if your credit isn’t ideal, but we can still make the deal happen.

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It’s About the Deal, Not Just the Score

That’s a really good point. So you're saying the loan is often based on the deal itself — the collateral — not just the borrower’s credit score?

Exactly. Every transaction we do is about the deal. It’s how we structure it, how we present it, how we analyze it.

As a private lender, we’ll often take on a loan that one of our capital partners won’t. That’s because we believe in the borrower. But every private lender has their own lending box. So we know how to navigate around those limitations and find the right path forward.

That’s one of the big advantages of working with someone like you — you understand the landscape and you're not locked into just one path.

Absolutely. It’s just like in real estate investing — having someone who knows the players and understands the process helps protect your interests and unlock better deals.

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How to Connect with Sabrina Ely & Kenbry Capital

I know you have a lot of helpful resources available — blogs, educational content — for people wanting to learn more. So where’s the best place for someone to connect with you or your team if they have questions or need funding?

That’s a great question. Yes, if anyone wants to connect, you can always reach out to us at Kere.com. All of our social media accounts are active — just search for Kere Capital and you’ll find us on every platform.

You can also find me directly on LinkedIn under Sabrina Ely. And if you’re shy or just want to dip your toe in the water, a direct message is a safe way to reach out. I’m always happy to talk, answer questions, or point you in the right direction. But definitely give us a call or check out the website.

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Defining Success with Alignment

I love it. I want to end with a question I ask most of our respected guests. Our audience is filled with entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals scaling their lives and businesses. So — how do you personally define success? What’s one word you’d use to describe it?

Success, to me, is alignment.

When everything is in alignment — your purpose, your plan, your partnerships — things begin to flow. There’s forward movement, and it becomes effortless. That’s when you know you’re on the right track.

I love that. A lot of people gravitate toward words like “clarity” or “focus,” but I think alignment is even more powerful — because when you’re aligned, clarity and focus show up naturally. It means your vision and your actions are working together.

Exactly.

Well, thank you so much for being on the show today. It was a real pleasure to talk with you, and we’ll definitely have to bring you back, maybe for a Q&A in one of our Academy sessions.

George, always a pleasure. Happy to be here, and thank you for having me.

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Final Thoughts

If this was your first time tuning into the show, be sure to hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss future episodes. And as always, hit me up on the Daily Mastermind on Facebook, Instagram, or wherever you’re most active. Let us know what you’re struggling with — or what you’re winning at — and let’s keep growing together.

Sabrina Ely, thank you again for joining us today.

See you next time on The Daily Mastermind.

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About George Wright III:

George Wright is a Proven, Successful Entrepreneur- and he knows how to inspire entrepreneurs, companies, and individuals to achieve Massive Results. With more than 20 years of Executive Management experience and 25 years of Direct Marketing and Sales experience, George is responsible for starting and building several successful multimillion-dollar companies. He started at a very young age to network and build his experience and knowledge of what it takes to become a driven and well-known entrepreneur. George built a multi-million-dollar seminar business, promoting some of the biggest stars and brands in the world. He has accelerated the success and cash flow in each of his ventures through his network of resources and results driven strategies. George is now dedicated to teaching and sharing his Prosperity Principles and Strategies to every Driven and Passionate Entrepreneur he meets. His mission is to Empower Entrepreneurs Globally to create Massive Change and LIVE their Ultimate Destiny.

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