1 00:00:00.095 --> 00:00:01.005 First question for you. 2 00:00:01.005 --> 00:00:03.165 It's 2024, the beginning of 2024. 3 00:00:03.165 --> 00:00:05.845 What do you expect for the industry this year? 4 00:00:05.925 --> 00:00:07.085 I know it's kind of a broad question, 5 00:00:07.105 --> 00:00:08.765 but what do you expect for the industry this year? 6 00:00:09.145 --> 00:00:12.605 Um, so for 2024, I see a lot of growth for the industry, 7 00:00:12.605 --> 00:00:15.365 but I also do see a lot of competition, um, seeing a lot 8 00:00:15.365 --> 00:00:17.845 of new names coming up, which is actually very exciting. 9 00:00:18.185 --> 00:00:20.845 Um, and, you know, a lot more people are trying 10 00:00:20.845 --> 00:00:23.485 to get into MCA, um, so definitely a lot more competition. 11 00:00:24.265 --> 00:00:25.565 So tell us a little bit about your 12 00:00:25.845 --> 00:00:26.965 business and what you do. 13 00:00:27.275 --> 00:00:30.005 Sure. So, JRG funding is a direct funder. 14 00:00:30.145 --> 00:00:33.245 Um, for the BC paper space, we fund positions one 15 00:00:33.245 --> 00:00:34.445 through eight, and we come in the strongest 16 00:00:34.545 --> 00:00:35.765 on positions two to four. 17 00:00:36.865 --> 00:00:40.405 At an event like this, how, why do you find it beneficial 18 00:00:40.665 --> 00:00:42.005 for you and, and the business? 19 00:00:42.905 --> 00:00:45.085 So, events like this are so important 20 00:00:45.185 --> 00:00:47.325 and so vital for this industry, um, 21 00:00:47.325 --> 00:00:50.845 because a lot of trust goes into effect when it comes to, 22 00:00:50.865 --> 00:00:52.925 you know, sending files and, you know, 23 00:00:53.485 --> 00:00:54.765 creating those tight-knit relationships. 24 00:00:55.265 --> 00:00:57.685 So it's hard to create a relationship like 25 00:00:57.685 --> 00:00:58.845 that over text or email. 26 00:00:59.185 --> 00:01:01.565 Um, so to be able to meet people in person 27 00:01:01.705 --> 00:01:04.765 and connect, um, is so important to create that trust 28 00:01:04.825 --> 00:01:06.845 and to create lasting working relationships here. 29 00:01:07.745 --> 00:01:09.525 So what, you know right now in terms of the economy, 30 00:01:09.985 --> 00:01:11.685 the interest rates are still pretty high. 31 00:01:12.185 --> 00:01:14.325 Uh, there's some challenges overall. 32 00:01:14.465 --> 00:01:16.445 How have those affected the business 33 00:01:16.445 --> 00:01:17.765 and what do you expect moving forward? 34 00:01:18.585 --> 00:01:20.005 So I do think, um, 35 00:01:20.195 --> 00:01:22.525 that it has made business a little bit busier, um, 36 00:01:22.525 --> 00:01:25.045 because banks are saying no a lot more now. 37 00:01:25.225 --> 00:01:28.765 Um, so a lot of merchants are turning to MCA, um, 38 00:01:29.305 --> 00:01:30.685 and also since the interest rates are 39 00:01:30.685 --> 00:01:34.285 so high across the board, it's almost like MCA doesn't seem 40 00:01:34.285 --> 00:01:36.405 so expensive anymore to a lot of these merchants. 41 00:01:37.425 --> 00:01:39.325 So overall, for those folks that are here, that, 42 00:01:39.385 --> 00:01:41.405 and I know you, you've been to many of these events 43 00:01:41.405 --> 00:01:43.565 before, I've seen your face here several times. 44 00:01:43.755 --> 00:01:46.085 Yeah. But for those who are new to the events like this, 45 00:01:46.085 --> 00:01:48.005 what would you recommend that they do at an event like this? 46 00:01:48.505 --> 00:01:49.405 Um, I would recommend 47 00:01:49.405 --> 00:01:50.605 definitely putting yourself out there. 48 00:01:50.605 --> 00:01:52.205 Don't be afraid to say hello. 49 00:01:52.335 --> 00:01:54.245 Don't be afraid to walk up to a booth, um, 50 00:01:54.245 --> 00:01:55.485 because you never know who you're gonna meet. 51 00:01:56.345 --> 00:01:58.125 Alyssa, I think that covers everything for me. 52 00:01:58.125 --> 00:01:59.325 Is there anything else that you want to say? 53 00:01:59.385 --> 00:02:01.765 Any bit of information about the industry 54 00:02:01.765 --> 00:02:03.525 or your business that you want to get out to, 55 00:02:03.525 --> 00:02:04.565 uh, the rest of the industry? 56 00:02:04.625 --> 00:02:07.125 Um, if you're not funding with JRG yet for, uh, 57 00:02:07.125 --> 00:02:10.805 your BC paper, sign up with us, uh, Alyssa at JRG, 58 00:02:10.805 --> 00:02:11.565 and we'll take care of you.