You have heard about commercial loan brokering. You are curious whether it is real, whether it is for you, and what the actual path looks like. This guide walks you through it step-by-step.
By the end, you will understand what brokers do, what different paths look like, how much training costs, and what your next move should be.
Your 5-Step Journey
Understand What Brokers Actually Do
Before investing time or money, understand the business model. You will source deals, match borrowers to lenders, and earn 2-8% commission. It is sales work, not passive income. You need financial runway because income is zero until you fund deals.
Read our complete guideExplore the Broker Paths
Commercial loan brokering has many specializations: equipment finance, SBA loans, working capital, commercial real estate, factoring, and more. Each has different lender networks, deal sizes, and commission rates. Find which path fits your interests and market.
Explore all broker pathsCompare Training Options
You can teach yourself (free, slow: 12+ months) or enroll in structured training ($1,500-$10,000, fast: 3-6 months). Good training includes lender access, deal tools, templates, and mentorship. Most successful brokers invest in a program.
Compare training programsTake the Quiz
Not everyone is cut out for broker work. You need sales ability, persistence, financial runway, and comfort with uncertainty. Take our quiz to see if your background and personality fit the business.
Take the quizSchedule a Call
Ready to move forward? Talk to someone who launches brokers for a living. No script. No pressure. Just a conversation about whether this fits your situation.
Schedule a callQuick Links to Key Pages
Not sure where to start? Here are the pages most new brokers find most helpful.
How to Become a Broker
Step-by-step guide covering training, licensing, lender relationships, and your first deal.
Explore Broker Paths
Specializations include equipment finance, SBA loans, working capital, commercial real estate, and more.
Compare Training Programs
See what training covers, questions to ask, and comparison of program costs and structures.
Salary & Commission Structure
Understand commission ranges, deal sizes, and realistic income examples from working brokers.
Is This Business Worth It?
Honest breakdown of the upside, downside, and who this business is actually right for.
Take the Quiz
See if your background, personality, and situation fit the commercial broker path.
Why This Guide Is Honest
No Income Guarantees
We do not promise you will make six figures or fund deals in 30 days. Income depends on your effort, market, and execution. We show you the real numbers and let you decide.
Real-World Experience
This guide is written by Josh Shull, who has real experience in equipment finance and commercial lending. Not a sales pitch. Actual insights from someone who has done this.
Honest About the Work
We tell you upfront: this is not passive income. It requires prospecting, follow-up, and deal management. If that sounds exhausting, we recommend exploring other paths.
No Fake Testimonials
You will not see AI-generated success stories or made-up testimonials. We show you the real market, the real costs, and the real timeline.
What to Know Before You Start
Zero Income Until You Fund Deals
You earn commission only when a deal closes. Until then, you have zero income. You need 3-6 months of living expenses saved, plus startup costs. If you cannot handle that, wait until you can.
This Requires Daily Prospecting
Successful brokers spend 2-4 hours every day making calls, following up, and building relationships. This is not a background hustle. It is a full-time job that requires focus and discipline.
Training Saves You Time and Money
A good program costs $1,500-$10,000 but cuts your timeline to first deal from 12+ months to 3-6 months. That ROI is real. Compare it to figuring things out alone and losing an extra 6 months of income.
You Need a Network or the Ability to Build One
Your first deals often come from people you know. If you have business connections, that accelerates things. If not, you will spend time building relationships before your first deal. Both paths work; one just takes longer.
Your Next Step
Ready to move forward? Pick one of these:
Read the Complete Guide
Get detailed information on every step of becoming a broker.
Explore Specializations
See different broker paths (equipment finance, SBA, working capital, etc.).
Compare Training Programs
See training options, costs, and what to look for in a program.
Schedule a Call with Josh
Let us talk through your background and goals. No pressure, no script.