In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, hosts Courtney Butler and Caitlin Sheets sit down with Bob Hickman, Chief Banking and Credit Officer at Community First Bank of Indiana, to break down everything small business owners need to know about securing funding — from writing a bulletproof business plan to understanding why a bank's "no" might actually save you. Bob shares candid insights from 24 years of community banking, including real success stories and the critical mistakes that hold entrepreneurs back.

02:15 — Meet Bob Hickman: 24 Years at Community First Bank

05:30 — How the Bank Grew from 16 to 150 Employees

09:00 — What Happens When a Small Business Walks Through the Door

13:45 — Business Plans Explained: Who They're Actually For

18:20 — The Drive Competition: Kokomo's Shark Tank

23:00 — How to Write a Business Plan That Works (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How)

28:30 — Financial Projections: Why "It's Just a Hobby" Without Them

34:15 — The #1 Expert Every Small Business Needs to Hire First

39:40 — How to Leverage Small Funding Into Big Growth

44:20 — Grants & Hidden Resources: The Revolving Loan Fund Most People Don't Know About

48:50 — Overcoming the Fear of Pitching Your Business

53:30 — When a Bank Says No — and Why That Can Be a Good Thing

58:00 — Bob's Proudest Moments: The 17-Year-Old Real Estate Investor & More

1:02:15 — Kokomo's Future: Diversification, AI, and Quality of Place

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and do not reflect our official policy. Content is based on guest opinions and is not intended to offend or harm any group or individual. Always seek professional advice for legal, financial, or business matters.