Paid it off the third year after we got some consistent business in the industry(food software and logistics). Paid about $400 in interest over that time.

Yep, it was so they could give me far more than the limit on gifts per year and not get taxed.

I sold my half of the business to my cofounder about 2 years ago. Been retired and just raising my kids while my wife is getting back into her field(she was stay at home while I built my business).