Own The Exit

Caleb Edwards and Aaron Leatherdale
  • 4.9 (87)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Own The Exit is your quintessential guide to entrepreneurial freedom. Every entrepreneur aspires to build a prosperous business while enjoying financial and time freedom, but the reality often falls short. This podcast is your lifeline to success, providing crucial insights on preparing your business for a winning exit. Join us as we deep dive into the world of successful exits, liberating you from active involvement and helping you realize your dreams of a fulfilling life. The power to define a triumphant exit rests solely with you, and we're here to empower your journey. Click on follow!

  1. 2D AGO

    Boost the Valuation of Your Business With Insights From Erik Wiklendt

    How much is your business actually worth? Eric Wiklendt has helped over 100 business owners sell, scale, and structure exits that don’t just look good on paper—but actually close. In this episode, Eric breaks down the biggest misconceptions owners have about valuations, how buyers really think, and why most sellers screw up the story behind their numbers. This is required listening for any founder who thinks “I’ll just sell when I’m ready.” Eric walks through real-world deals, unpacks the math behind multiples, and reveals what every buyer looks for—and what makes them walk away. TAKEAWAYS Why the multiple you want might not matterThe difference between price and value in a buyer’s eyesHow to prep your financials for serious exit conversationsReal examples of valuation mistakes owners makeThe exit story every buyer wants to hear RESOURCES MENTIONED Connect with Eric Wiklendt on LinkedIn FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 02:11 – Eric’s Backstory: Coaching 100+ Exits 05:34 – Why Multiples Are Misunderstood 08:19 – “Five Times What?” 11:27 – What Buyers Are *Really* Buying 14:02 – When EBITDA Isn’t the Whole Story 18:45 – Real Deal Breakdown: Why It Failed 21:10 – Numbers vs. Narrative in an Exit 24:39 – The One Question to Ask Every Seller KEYWORDS business valuation, how to value your business, sell your company, multiples, EBITDA, business exit, private equity, business acquisition, M&A strategy, how buyers think, business storytelling, financial due diligence, exit planning, business broker tips, company valuation, business for sale prep, founder strategy, sell-side advisor, selling a company, what buyers want WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    37 min

  2. MAR 17

    Private Equity: Why It’s Confusing and How to Finally Understand It

    If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I invest in private equity,” and thought… okay, but what does that actually mean? You’re not alone. Private equity is one of the broadest terms in investing — so broad that even successful entrepreneurs feel intimidated asking questions. In this episode, we demystify private equity in simple terms and give you a practical on-ramp. You’ll learn why entrepreneurs have an unfair advantage in private markets, why real estate is the simplest gateway into private equity mechanics, and how the real leverage comes from becoming the access point — not just the investor. TAKEAWAYS Private equity is a category, not a single investment type.Entrepreneurs have a built-in advantage because they understand revenue, expenses, and people.Private markets are driven by fundamentals more than public perception.Multifamily real estate is one of the simplest ways to understand private equity mechanics.Increasing NOI increases property value — even without market tailwinds.Single asset SPVs allow entrepreneurs to pool capital legally and strategically.The ultimate leverage play is becoming the access point to deals. RESOURCES MENTIONED Multiplier University – 7 Day Free Trial FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Why Private Equity Feels Intimidating 02:35 – Private Equity Is a Category, Not a Thing 05:04 – The 3 Core Business Fundamentals 08:45 – Why Real Estate Is the Simplest On-Ramp 10:48 – How NOI Drives Value 13:58 – The Power Move: Become the Access Point 15:55 – Rod’s $2.4M Case Study 19:12 – Why I created Multiplier University 21:05 - The 3 Final Takeaways KEYWORDS private equity explained, how private equity works, single asset SPV, special purpose vehicle investing, private markets investing, entrepreneur investing strategy, multifamily real estate investing, net operating income explained, cap rate formula, passive income for business owners, accredited investor strategy, commercial real estate private equity, investment fund structure, pooling capital legally, private equity for entrepreneurs, real estate value add strategy, building wealth outside your business, alternative investments, capital raising strategy, investment vehicle structure WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    22 min

  3. MAR 10

    Boomers Are Ready to Sell. Will You Buy In?

    We're standing at the edge of the greatest wealth transfer in U.S. history — $15 trillion in private business assets are about to change hands as Baby Boomers retire. In this episode, Caleb and Aaron break down what that means for investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to stake their claim in the future economy. From multifamily real estate and oil & gas to hard money lending and boring service businesses, this episode lays out a thesis-driven playbook for how to capitalize on the massive shift already in motion. If you're not positioning yourself now, you're going to miss one of the biggest opportunities of our lifetime. TAKEAWAYS $15 trillion in private business assets are set to change hands as Boomers retireYou need a clear investing thesis and strategy to capitalize on the shiftMultifamily is stable, predictable, and resilient for long-term investorsPrivate debt offers double-digit returns and asset-backed securityOil and gas assets are aging and primed for reinvestment“Boring” service businesses can be rolled up for serious equity exitsTech and AI are replacing people — own the tools, not just the labor RESOURCES MENTIONED Oak IQ Investments Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 01:02 – The Baby Boomer Asset Dump 03:24 – Multifamily as a Business 04:49 – The Boring Biz Buy-Up 06:28 – Oak IQ’s Three-Pronged Thesis 07:34 – Oil & Gas Wealth Transfer 08:44 – Private Debt = Passive Power 10:56 – The Bridge Loan Collapse 13:02 – How to Define Your Wealth Thesis 15:45 – Rolling Up Service Businesses 17:23 – Robots Are Taking Over Jobs 20:41 – Action Steps to Own the Exit KEYWORDS baby boomer wealth transfer, boring business rollup, private equity strategy, passive investing, multifamily investment, hard money loans, oil and gas investing, bridge loans real estate, asset-backed lending, business buying, private debt funds, real estate cash flow, $15 trillion wealth shift, retirement asset sales, service business acquisitions, real estate thesis, investing strategy, financial independence, wealth building, buy and build, alternative investments, Oak IQ strategy, rollup exit, AI-proof businesses WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    24 min

  4. MAR 3

    7 Rules to Streamline Your Marketing

    Most founders are their best salesperson and their only marketer. But if sales stall when you take a break—you don’t have a marketing engine. You have a grind cycle. In this power-packed solo episode, Caleb reveals the 7 non-negotiables for building a marketing system that works without you. These aren’t hacks or theory—this is the rhythm to run if you want pipeline, profit, and peace. TAKEAWAYS The 7 rules that make your marketing scale without your constant involvementHow to create an offer that attracts, qualifies, and closes buyersWhy a 45-minute weekly review beats a pretty dashboardThe simple weekly rhythm that builds momentum and protects marginWhy creative output—not just ad spend—drives cost-per-lead down RESOURCES MENTIONED Business Made Simple by Donald Miller Scribe AI FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 - Do You Have a System or Just Hustle? 01:08 - Marketing as the Engine of Your Business 02:07 - Rule 1: Customer & Pain Map 03:41 - Rule 2: Offer Before Product 05:40 - Rule 3: Message-Channel Fit 07:22 - Rule 4: What to Measure Weekly 08:30 - Rule 5: Build a Creative Engine 10:12 - Rule 6: Capture and Follow-Up Speed 11:37 - Rule 7: Budget and Roles That Scale 13:36 - The Weekly Rhythm to Scale Without You KEYWORDS scalable marketing, lead generation systems, owner-independent marketing, creative engine, business made simple, conversion optimization, marketing automation, sales systems, pipeline growth, digital marketing strategy, customer acquisition cost, value-based offer, follow-up strategy, speed to lead, small business growth, entrepreneur playbook, delegation, marketing rhythm, building brand authority, business exits WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    14 min

  5. FEB 24

    Proven 4 Step Framework to Boost Sales Momentum With Marc Daniels

    Marc Daniels built and sold one of the first computer mail-order businesses in the U.S., helped scale a company to a $941M exit, and has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs to build real, profitable companies. But he says most business owners are focused on the wrong things. In this episode, Marc drops a proven framework to turn chaos into clarity—four quarterly projects that eliminate waste, ride trends, and drive exponential growth. This isn’t theory. From losing everything in a head-on collision to scaling SaaS and manufacturing companies globally, Marc’s execution-first mindset will challenge how you structure your weeks, quarters, and even your exit strategy. TAKEAWAYS Why yearly planning fails—and what to do insteadThe 4-part “SWOT-dle” framework that builds actual momentumHow to spot business trends early and ride them to revenueWhy your biggest obstacle is usually not what you thinkPractical execution hacks for owners with zero bandwidth RESOURCES MENTIONED Buy Back Your Time - Dan Martell Marc Daniels Website & Readiness Assessment FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ Marc Daniels CHAPTERS 00:00 The 4 Things That Move the Needle 01:06 Marc Daniels’ Story: From Car Crash to Coach 07:05 Launching a Business with a $250 Ad 13:12 The Power of Trend-Driven Strategy 16:33 How to Spot Trends Early 21:14 Why Your Quarterly Projects Fail 26:14 Why Cash Flow Plans Always Fall Short 29:28 Forecast vs. Strategy 34:03 The Real First Step: Customer Acquisition 37:41 How to Build Recurring Revenue in Any Industry 41:05 What Marc Wishes He Knew at 19 44:02 Take Marc’s Readiness Assessment KEYWORDS business execution, strategic planning, business trends, recurring revenue, buy back your time, quarterly strategy, business coaching, entrepreneur mindset, scaling businesses, business operations, exit planning, passive income, SaaS strategy, startup growth, business forecasting, leadership habits, financial freedom, legacy building, revenue growth, time management, team delegation WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    46 min

  6. FEB 17

    What Buyers See That You Don't

    80% of businesses that go to market will NEVER sell. In this duo episode, Caleb and Aaron get brutally honest about what makes your business unsellable—even if it’s profitable. They break down the silent killer of most exits: key man risk. If your company depends on you, you don’t own a business—you own a job. And jobs don’t sell for 8 figures. TAKEAWAYS Why private equity passes on profitable businessesThe hidden trap of “owner dependency” and how it discounts your valuationWhy your success might be masking a fragile companyHow systems, leadership, and ego collide in your exit strategyThe first step to making your business sellable this week FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 - Why 80% of Businesses Don’t Sell 01:25 - Owner Dependency Is Killing Your Exit 05:57 - Building a Job vs. Building a Business 08:28 - Fragile Companies Hide Behind Great Founders 12:15 - What Buyers REALLY Look For 17:46 - Leadership Can’t Be Systemized (But It Can Be Taught) 22:06 - Start Here: Document Everything 25:47 - Hiring Before It Hurts 29:03 - Buffett’s “Wonderfully Simple” Test 32:00 - The Boring Business Exit Blueprint KEYWORDS business exits, private equity, selling a business, business valuation, owner dependency, key man risk, systems and processes, leadership development, scalable business model, SOPs, team building, entrepreneur mindset, ego in business, business strategy, operational risk, business transferability, business growth, exit planning, business readiness, recurring revenue WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    33 min

  7. FEB 10

    3 Pillars for Doing Value Add Multifamily Investments

    What happens when you've renovated over 500 multifamily units? You stop guessing and start getting scientific. In this solo episode, Aaron shares the hard lessons and real-world strategies that have added over $125,000/month in new revenue from renovations. He breaks down what he calls the “three-legged stool” of successful renovation: budget, quality, and speed—and why messing up just one leg can kill your entire deal. TAKEAWAYS Why managing contractors is just as important as hiring themThe real cost of poor speed in multifamily renovationsHow to align quality with your asset class and tenant baseWhy your budget needs more than just a contingency—it needs a mindset shiftThe dangers of thinking renovations are passive FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 01:06 - The “Value Add” Trap 03:07 - Renovation Pillar #1: Budget 05:35 - Renovation Pillar #2: Quality 08:13 - Renovation Pillar #3: Speed 11:53 - Why Renovations Fail in the Real World 13:18 - Final Thoughts: Stop Winging It KEYWORDS multifamily renovation, real estate investing, value add deals, passive income, construction management, property management, apartment rehabs, real estate strategy, investment risk, rental property upgrades, project budgeting, construction timelines, contractor quality, renovation mistakes, investing efficiency, maximizing NOI, real estate due diligence, smart investing, speed of execution, housing shortage WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    14 min

  8. FEB 3

    No More Tenant Troubles with Seller Financed Note Expert Derek Blades

    In this episode, we sit down with Derek Blades—an operator who's redefined what it means to own real estate. After losing $15K/month on rentals, Derek flipped the script with a seller-financed note model that not only protects capital but turns renters into homeowners. If you're tired of clogged sewer lines, broken furnaces, and negative cash flow, this episode is your next playbook. We unpack how Derek built a system that closes in 3 days, pays 8–10% fixed to investors, and avoids the headaches of traditional rentals. From creating equitable deals to maintaining investor confidence, he walks us through his lean, scalable, SEAL Team 6-style operation. Plus—how he’s now building new construction to fuel even more opportunity. TAKEAWAYS Why seller financing can be better than rentingHow Derek structures 45K margin deals with zero repairsWhat contract-for-deed offers that lease-options don’tThe truth about foreclosure risk and how he mitigates itUsing private capital to secure first lien positions for investorsScaling a note business with no property managersNew construction + seller financing = vertical dominance RESOURCES MENTIONED Blades Capital Investments FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 Losing $15K/month: The breaking point 03:52 Shifting to seller finance and notes 06:48 How the contract-for-deed model works 08:39 The investor pitch: 8-10% fixed, 1st lien 11:10 What happens if the buyer defaults? 13:24 Selling 50 deals a year vs. 100-unit apartments 15:31 Why he doesn’t use property managers 17:05 Building a business that closes in 3 days 18:50 How the website fuels sales velocity 20:32 New construction + seller finance = vertical integration 23:44 Raising capital SEAL Team-style 25:12 Caleb and Aaron rapid fire questions KEYWORDS seller financing, contract for deed, real estate notes, passive income, note investing, private lending, Wichita real estate, real estate cash flow, fixed income real estate, alternative investments, investor yield, housing affordability, exit strategy, rent to own alternatives, private real estate lending, downside protection, real estate underwriting, financial freedom real estate, note investing strategy, capital raising, real estate business model, investing without tenants, new construction investing WANT TO LEARN MORE? Join us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, dive into our enriching content on ⁠YouTube⁠, and explore ⁠our website⁠ to unravel how to secure your future through intelligent passive investments! If you enjoyed the show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW and SHARE this episode with someone who wants to build a stable future. Listen to all episodes on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, or any preferred podcast platform!

    38 min
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4.9
out of 5
87 Ratings

About

Own The Exit is your quintessential guide to entrepreneurial freedom. Every entrepreneur aspires to build a prosperous business while enjoying financial and time freedom, but the reality often falls short. This podcast is your lifeline to success, providing crucial insights on preparing your business for a winning exit. Join us as we deep dive into the world of successful exits, liberating you from active involvement and helping you realize your dreams of a fulfilling life. The power to define a triumphant exit rests solely with you, and we're here to empower your journey. Click on follow!

Information

  • Creator
    Caleb Edwards and Aaron Leatherdale
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Caleb Edwards and Aaron Leatherdale
  • Show Website
    Own The Exit

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