5 years later - from my current perspective ... 1) interest rates, the past 5 years have been attractive to fuel growth. 2) now, as always, investors / lenders focus more upon leaders / directors and their track record, than they do the opportunity. 3) in the specific case i dealt with ... my friend / business contact seeking to structure the deal ... shortly after that time, had a fatal heart failure (God rest his soul) and i don't know what route his business partners took. 4) for my part ... I'm learning to say "no" and refuse to give advice, unless it's an area i have experience in. These matters were over my head. I knew it then, and should have politely wished them well.