Today at 1:00 p.m. Central, we’re hosting Private Lending 101: The Core. This is a foundational session on what private lending actually is, how hard money has changed over time, and how real asset-based lenders look at risk. If you want to structure better deals and better understand what gets a deal approved or declined, join us live. Calendar link: https://www.skool.com/the-circle/calendar

The calls are officially live and on the calendar. Here’s how we’re running this: • 1st Tuesday – Welcome + Orientation • 2nd Tuesday – DEAL Desk Lite • 3rd Tuesday – LEAD Live • 4th Tuesday – HELP Office Hours All calls are at 12 PM Central. Each one serves a purpose—either solving a problem, moving a deal forward, or sharpening how you operate. Show up where you need it most. If you have questions on how this all works, go rewatch the kickoff call. That lays out the full vision, structure, and expectations. Now it’s time to engage, contribute, and get to work.

We kicked things off today and set the tone for what this community is: Not networking. Not content. A working room for serious operators. Everything we do will fall into three pillars: HELP — Hold accountable, Encourage, Lift up, Practice patience DEAL — Discover, Evaluate, Act, Leverage LEAD — Learn, Execute, Accept accountability, Develop others Every interaction should:• solve a problem• move a deal• sharpen a leader Next Steps (7 Days): - Post your intro - Submit a HELP, DEAL, or LEAD item - Engage in the group - RSVP for the next call Simple standard: show up and contribute. This room will be what we make it.

The Circle works when everyone understands how this room is meant to be used. This is not a feed to scroll. It’s not a place to posture. And it’s not built for spectators. It’s a working network designed to help you think like a lender, structure better deals, and operate with discipline. Here’s how to get the most out of it. 1. Start With the Classroom If you’re new, don’t skip the fundamentals. The classroom content is there to give everyone a shared language: - How lenders evaluate risk - How deals actually get approved - What moves files forward—and what kills them This isn’t theory. It’s context so the conversations inside the community stay sharp and useful. 2. Use the Community for Real Questions Post when you’re: - Stuck on structure - Unsure why a deal won’t clear - Trying to understand capital stack decisions - Pressure‑testing assumptions Be specific. Give context. Ask the question you actually need answered. Vague posts get vague answers. 3. Deal Talk > Hypotheticals This community is at its best when discussions are grounded in real deals. If you’re sharing a scenario: - Include numbers when you can - Explain the borrower, asset, and exit - Be honest about what you don’t know You’ll get better feedback—and you’ll earn credibility fast. 4. Contribute When You Can You don’t need to be the expert to add value. If you’ve: - Seen a structure work (or fail) - Navigated a lender relationship - Learned a lesson the hard way Share it. The Circle compounds because members help each other shorten the learning curve. 5. Respect the Bar This is a professional room. That means: - No spam - No pitching without permission - No shortcuts, hype, or “guaranteed” claims - No disrespect—for people, capital, or the craft If something doesn’t belong in a lender’s credit committee, it doesn’t belong here. 6. Pay Attention to Progression The Circle is designed as a path, not a destination. Some of you are here to learn.