Let’s Talk Debt: Strategic or Dangerous?

Ever wonder if taking on debt will grow your business or sink it? Many owners feel torn between using credit to expand and fearing it will bury them. Debt isn’t the enemy, but borrowing without clarity can destroy your business.

In this episode of the Grit and Growth Business, Ralph Estep Jr. shares hard-won lessons and real client stories that reveal how to tell when borrowing makes sense—and when it’s a dangerous gamble. Through the “ladder vs. shovel” analogy, Ralph teaches a three-question test to evaluate any potential loan, walks through cash flow strategies to survive slow months, and exposes emotional triggers that drive poor financial decisions. You’ll hear how smart leverage fueled one contractor’s expansion, why another owner’s marketing debt buried her, and how biblical wisdom on stewardship and prudence can keep your business free from financial bondage.

https://www.gritandgrowthbusiness.com/blog/debt-growth-deeper-hole/
https://gritandgrowthbusiness.com/debt

👉 Download today’s free action sheet: https://www.gritandgrowthbusiness.com/action
👉 Book a free 15-minute discovery call: https://www.gritandgrowthbusiness.com/coaching
👉 Free live coaching Tuesdays 8PM EST: https://www.gritandgrowthbusiness.com/live

Podcast Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction and Listener Question
[01:14] The Analogy of Debt: Ladder or Shovel?
[01:51] Real-Life Examples of Debt Management
[03:16] Framework for Evaluating Debt
[05:55] Understanding ROI and Interest Costs
[08:30] Cash Flow and Emotional Management
[13:17] Three-Step Test for Borrowing
[14:27] Evaluating Debt for Business Growth
[14:51] Key Questions to Ask Before Taking on Debt
[15:22] Understanding Debt Payments and Accumulation
[15:54] Psychological Aspects of Borrowing
[16:35] Recap of Key Questions
[17:32] Action Steps for Better Debt Management
[20:14] Reflection on Debt as a Ladder or Shovel
[25:05] Final Thoughts and Coaching Offer
[27:30] Join Our Live Sessions

Schedule an Appointment with Saggio Management Group, Inc.
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/fabfb9f2/appointment/8258839/calendar/2141336?appointmentTypeIds[]=8258839

The Ask Ralph Media Podcast has been honored as the Best Christian Finance Podcast in the U.S. for 2025 by Best of Best Review. This prestigious award recognizes the show’s unwavering commitment to blending biblical wisdom with practical financial guidance, empowering listeners to make wise money decisions rooted in faith. Through its concise, impactful 10–12 minute episodes, the Ask Ralph Podcast has inspired and equipped audiences nationwide, standing out among countless voices in the finance and faith space.
https://bestofbestreview.com/awards/ask-ralph-media-inc-best-christian-finance-podcast-in-the-u-s-of-2025