Lamar Tyler is Founder at Traffic Sales and Profit, and his journey offers important lessons for entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of business growth and finance. Lamar Tyler’s story is one of persistence and insight demonstrating how even with impeccable credentials and deep loyalty, business success often depends on the ability to adapt and trust one’s instincts.
Lamar Tyler once found himself in a frustrating situation that many business owners can relate to. Despite having $600,000 cash in his business account and an A1 credit rating, Lamar Tyler faced significant obstacles securing a commercial loan from the bank he had loyally supported for over 15 years. This was not just any bank it was the institution where every dollar had been deposited since Traffic Sales and Profit’s inception in 2007. Lamar Tyler’s business had an impeccable financial track record, yet the bank made him jump through endless hoops, demanding layer upon layer of paperwork and meetings.
What struck Lamar Tyler most was the disconnect between the warm relationship he once had with the bank’s front desk staff, who knew his family and greeted him by name, and the cold bureaucracy of the loan officers hidden away “in the back hallway.” The bank, which had witnessed every financial milestone of his company, suddenly seemed to question his credibility. Lamar Tyler describes the process as “insane” from standard financials to what his CPA called “one step short of an audit.”
Despite warnings from his CPA not to waste time, Lamar Tyler was emotionally invested in buying his company’s first commercial building. He envisioned his team walking to lunch in downtown Lawrenceville and had a clear vision mapped out for the future. So he compiled thousands of dollars worth of additional documentation over two weeks, only to be told the bank now thought they had “too much information.” This was a crushing moment for Lamar Tyler, a month into the frustrating ordeal.
At this point, Lamar Tyler realized something more troubling was at play. He says he had to use the “R-word” redlining to express the suspicion that his business was being unfairly treated despite having perfect credit, a strong cash position, and a longstanding history with the bank. Within 48 hours of raising this concern, Lamar Tyler finally received an approval letter. However, by then, the damage was done: the building was purchased by another party with cash while Lamar Tyler was entangled in bureaucracy.
But this setback did not stop Lamar Tyler; instead, it sparked a valuable turning point. A client advised him to stop trying to force things with the big bank and instead seek out a small, local bank. Taking that advice, Lamar Tyler drove down the street, found a local bank he hadn’t known before, and made a call. Within 30 to 60 days, his company closed on a different commercial building this time with a bank that did not require prior relationships or endless paperwork.
Since then, Lamar Tyler has worked with this smaller bank on five additional deals, each closing smoothly and efficiently. Lamar Tyler’s experience highlights a core business lesson that he now shares widely: “When people want to do business with you, they make it easy. When they don’t, they make it complicated.” This simple yet profound truth speaks to the power of relationships and trust in business.
Six years later, Lamar Tyler’s company owns its headquarters building, having built equity instead of continuing to pay rent. Beyond that, they own multiple investment properties on the same street. Lamar Tyler’s leadership has even inspired others in his mastermind group, with five or more members purchasing buildings after seeing his success.
Reflecting on the journey, Lamar Tyler offers practical advice for entrepreneurs ready to scale their businesses:
Don’t Let Loyalty Blind You to Poor Service – Even if you have been a loyal customer for years, it’s crucial to recognize when the service you receive no longer meets your needs or respects your contributions.
Relationship-Based Institutions Often Beat Big Banks – Smaller, local banks can be more agile, flexible, and invested in your success than larger institutions bogged down by bureaucracy.
Trust Your Gut When Something Feels Off – If the process feels unnecessarily difficult or unfair, it often is. Listening to your intuition can save time and frustration.
Diversify Into Hard Assets as You Scale – Acquiring real estate and other tangible assets strengthens your business foundation and provides long-term financial security.
Your Business Success Should Open Doors, Not Create Obstacles – When your business grows, access to resources and opportunities should become easier, not harder.
Lamar Tyler’s experience with the building he lost serves as a reminder that sometimes the “no” we face redirects us to a better “yes.” Although he watches the building today, now home to two restaurants, with a sense of what could have been, that disappointment led him to forge stronger banking relationships and build a real estate portfolio beyond what he had imagined.
Lamar Tyler’s journey underscores the reality that business is not just about numbers or credit ratings but about the quality of relationships, the courage to walk away when necessary, and the vision to see opportunity beyond setbacks. Entrepreneurs following his path can learn that resilience and adaptability are just as important as capital and credit.
In the world of business, Lamar Tyler’s story is a powerful example of how challenges can lead to growth and how the right partnerships can transform obstacles into stepping stones. For anyone ready to level up, Lamar Tyler’s experience is a guide not just to securing financing but to building a business that thrives on clear values and smart decisions.
