We Tell Your Story To The World
We Tell Your Story To The World
David Nilssen is a serial entrepreneur, recognized as the leading expert on small business and franchise finance. His company, Guidant Financial, enables aspiring entrepreneurs find the capital they need to purchase the small business or franchise of their dreams.
He pioneered the concept of “one-stop shopping” in small business financing. In addition to SBA lending, unsecured loans and equipment leasing, Guidant can help an individual to invest their retirement funds into a business without taking a taxable distribution or getting a loan. He founded this organization in 2003 with less than $10,000 and a laptop, eventually transforming it into an Inc 500 organization with thousands of clients in all 50 states and generating over 50M in revenues.
In the midst of economic challenge, David’s company has helped nearly 7,000 individuals invest over $2 billion into small business or franchising creating more than 50,000 American jobs and generating hundreds of millions in economic output.
Under his leadership, Guidant was recognized by many industry and civic organizations such as:
• Inc. Magazine, Inc. 5000 List (#384 in 2008, 2009, 2010)
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce NW Regional Small Business of the Year, 2007
• Fastest Growing Companies, WA CEO Magazine (2007, 2008 & 2009)
• Best Companies to Work For, WA CEO Magazine (2007 & 2008)
In 2007, the Small Business Administration (SBA) named Nilssen the National Young Entrepreneur of the Year and the Puget Sound Business Journal named him one of the top 40 businesspeople under 40 years of age. In both 2008 & 2009, Ernst and Young named him a finalist for their coveted Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Nilssen has been a featured speaker at over 350 national and international events, covering topics from entrepreneurship and branding to small business financing. In addition, he and his company have been highlighted in such media sources such as CNBC, Fortune Magazine, Entrepreneur, CNN and Wall Street Journal.
In 2011, David released a book called Making the Jump into Small Business Ownership.