The end of the year is a natural invitation to pause—to step off the treadmill long enough to actually look around. Not just at the wins, but at the misses. Not just at the goals we hit, but the goals we abandoned or outgrew.
At 608B Capital, that reflection is part of our culture. It’s baked into how we operate, how we lead, and how we set the tone for the year ahead. And this year, that reflection feels especially powerful because 2025 has been the strongest year in our company’s short history.
2025: The Year We Went All-In on Growth
When we entered 2025, we made one thing abundantly clear:
Growth would be the priority.
Every KPI, every initiative, every quarterly target was built around expanding our impact and raising the ceiling on what we believed was possible.
We started with a straightforward annual production goal:
$20M in total loan volume.
Q1 Goal: $7M
Actual: $7.2M
We hit the ground fast, proving our systems and processes could support a higher level of output.
Q2: When the Goalpost Moved
Halfway through the year, the writing was on the wall—$20M was no longer an ambitious target. We were pacing ahead, borrower demand was strong, and we had the team capacity to push harder.
So, mid-year, we raised the bar:
New annual goal: $30M.
That meant Q3 needed to be huge.
Q3 Goal: $10M
Actual: $10M+
We met it. Exceeded it. And in the process, proved to ourselves that aggressive goals only stretch us—they don’t intimidate us.
Now, as Q4 winds down, we are on track to comfortably surpass $30M, solidifying 2025 as a defining year for 608B Capital.
The Annual Review: Reflection, Strategy, Celebration
Every December, we conduct a two-day annual team meeting where we unpack everything:
- The good
- The bad
- The surprising
- The uncomfortable
- The lessons we’ll carry forward
And we end with a team dinner—not just to celebrate the numbers, but to celebrate the people behind the numbers.
This year’s planning session, however, comes with a transition.
**2025 Was About Growth.
2026 Will Be About Efficiency.**
Growth was the priority for 2025. We wanted to scale team outputs, production capacity, our borrower base, and our capital management. That foundation is now established.
Going into 2026, the mission shifts.
The new focus: Operational Efficiency.
Growth is now built into the machine. With over $20M in capital under management and a strong borrower pipeline, the next level isn’t about simply adding more—it’s about doing more with what we already have.
Examples of efficiency-driven goals for 2026:
1. Increase capital velocity
Instead of raising more money, we want to recycle what we have at a faster, safer pace.
Potential 2026 metric:
Cycle our $20M in capital twice for $40M in loan volume.
2. Reduce geographic stretch
Deals spread too far create inefficiencies and risk.
Potential 2026 KPI:
80% of loan collateral within a one-hour radius.
Closer oversight = better control, better speed, better borrower relationships.
3. Strengthen systems
We want rock-solid operations across:
- Underwriting
- Processing
- Servicing
- Borrower qualification
- Investor reporting
- Risk modeling
- Data management
These upgrades are quieter, but their impact is loud.
A.I. Integration: Preparing for the Future Before It Arrives
Another major focus for 2026: A.I. education and adoption.
Not as a shiny object.
Not as a trend to dabble in.
But as a competitive moat.
A necessity for survival in the next decade of lending.
Our 2026 A.I. plan may start broad:
- Entire team takes an A.I. course
- Bring in a consultant to analyze our operations
- Spend Q1 fully learning the landscape
Then, in Q2 and beyond, we shift toward implementation—using A.I. for underwriting, borrower communication, automation, data visibility, risk scoring, and more.
Businesses that resist A.I. won’t just fall behind—they’ll become obsolete.
We intend to be the ones who leaned in early.
Personal Reflection: The Same System, Different Arena
While we run annual reviews for the business, I run a very similar process in my personal life. For me, the end of the year is a chance to assess not just what I did, but who I became.
In 2025, my personal goals were simple:
- Improve myself
- Strengthen my connection with my wife
- Strengthen my bond with my kids
- Prioritize health
- Reduce alcohol
- Set clear fitness and nutrition targets
- And yes… lower my golf handicap
For the most part, I hit nearly all of these.
Family Connection
My relationship with Kati and the kids is as strong as I could ever hope for. That’s been a north star for me all year.
Health
My training and nutrition have been extremely consistent. I’m in the best shape of my life at my age.
Alcohol
It’s no longer part of my routine. I might drink once a month, and even then, very little.
Golf
This was my miss.
My goal was to get my handicap down to 10, and the lowest I got was 12.
Looking back, the reason is obvious: I played more, but I didn’t practice more.
The intention was there; the effort wasn’t.
This is why reflection matters.
The numbers don’t lie—but they also don’t judge. They simply show the truth.
Accountability Through Public Goals
One thing that’s helped me the most—both personally and professionally—is being public with my goals.
At my core, I hate saying I’ll do something and then having to face the fact that I didn’t follow through.
So I remove the option.
I put the goals out there publicly.
It forces accountability.
It eliminates excuses.
And in the moments when motivation starts fading, that public commitment becomes the quiet push that keeps me moving.
The Blueprint for 2026
Just like we do at 608B Capital, I’ll sit down in December and assess:
- What worked
- What failed
- What I avoided
- What I need to double down on
- What I need to let go of
- Who I want to be when the year ends
And from that, the 2026 goals will take shape.
For the business, 2026 will be about efficiency, profitability, risk reduction, and A.I. adoption.
For me personally, 2026 will be a continuation of building a healthier, stronger, more connected, more accountable version of myself.
Because the truth is this:
The business grows when I grow.
The team gets stronger when I get stronger.
And my family thrives when I lead by example.
Here’s to wrapping up an incredible year—
and stepping into the next one with intention, clarity, and purpose.
Onward to 2026.