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. 3D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. JAN 27

    Profit Is the Byproduct, Not the Goal

    In this powerful episode, Aaron and Caleb unpack the mindset shifts every entrepreneur needs to make if they want to truly Own The Exit. Too many business owners chase more money without a clearly defined end game. That’s a losing formula. The real path to profit? It starts with reverse engineering the future you want and building it backwards with precision. This episode lays out the 4 Ps—problem, product, people, and process—that actually drive sustainable profit, and why money should never be your upstream goal. If you're tired of grinding without clarity, this is the battle plan you need. TAKEAWAYS Why most entrepreneurs stay stuck chasing “more”The 4 Ps that create real profitWhy profit is never the starting point—it’s the resultHow to define your Desired End GameThe problem with opportunity-chasing vs. building with intention FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 - More Money Is Not a Strategy 03:07 - Build the Machine, Not the Outcome 04:11 - The 4 Ps That Drive Profit 06:45 - Why Solving Bigger Problems Pays Bigger 08:40 - Reverse Engineering Your Exit 10:12 - What Does Financial Freedom Really Mean? 13:36 - Shiny Object Syndrome & Crisis of Meaning 14:39 - Profit Is the Byproduct KEYWORDS entrepreneur mindset, building a business, how to grow a company, business clarity, business strategy, business exit plan, financial freedom, profit strategy, problem solving in business, scaling a company, reverse engineering goals, how to build wealth, money mindset, startup focus, productivity for founders, opportunity cost, shiny object syndrome, passive income, business exit, goal setting for entrepreneurs 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!

    15 min

  4. JAN 20

    The Journey Towards 20K a Month with Pete Schnepp

    In this episode of Own The Exit, we sit down with Pete—a contractor turned full-time real estate investor—who went from painting homes in the Arizona heat to owning over 100 rental units. His path to financial freedom wasn’t fast or smooth. A lawsuit nearly wiped him out, but that pain sparked his pivot to ownership and long-term wealth. Pete breaks down how he built his portfolio slowly, methodically, without raising capital for years. He also reveals how he leveraged a clear “5-Year Freedom” goal, refused to let lifestyle creep kill his dream, and why he believes every entrepreneur must diversify beyond their main hustle. If you want the practical blueprint to go from active income to passive wealth, this is it. TAKEAWAYS Why Pete set a “$20K/month freedom goal” and how he hit itHow a lawsuit became the catalyst for his investing strategyWhy he refused to raise capital until he had proof of conceptThe difference between an income engine and a wealth engineHow Deal Room connects investors to real opportunities RESOURCES MENTIONED Deal Room Online Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield 10x is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ Pete Schnepp CHAPTERS 00:00 - From Lawsuit to Leverage 01:42 - Pete’s “One Property a Year” Strategy 04:11 - The $20K a Month Freedom Number 05:40 - Why He Avoided Raising Capital 09:18 - Scaling From Single Family to Small Multi 12:33 - The Lawsuit That Changed Everything 16:00 - Doubling Down on Assets, Not Work 20:01 - The Real Risk Most Entrepreneurs Ignore 24:59 - Business Is Not the Golden Egg 27:08 - Introducing: The Deal Room 31:02 - Passive Income Is a Myth? 34:20 - Final Takeaway: Know What Freedom Looks Like KEYWORDS passive income, real estate investing, financial freedom, contractor to investor, wealth engine, asset building, lawsuit recovery, small multifamily investing, Phoenix real estate, 5-year freedom plan, lifestyle creep, building net worth, entrepreneurship, business diversification, deal room, private equity, raising capital, cashflow strategy, slow and steady investing, W2 escape, legacy wealth 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!

    35 min

  5. JAN 13

    Humility - The Misunderstood Strength

    There’s one ultimate advantage that separates legacy-builders from everyone else—and it’s probably not what you think. In this solo episode, Caleb breaks down the mindset that most high-performing entrepreneurs ignore: humility. But not the false humility that gets mistaken for weakness. This is lion-level humility. Controlled power. Strategic restraint. The kind that multiplies your impact in business, family, and life. If you’re stuck at a plateau or fighting burnout, this episode will hit like a wake-up call. TAKEAWAYS Why humility is a superpower, not a weaknessThe difference between bridling and breaking yourselfWhy self-agency is step one to successThe link between restraint and impactHow discipline multiplies legacyWhy most people fail to reach their potentialThe danger of eating the seed instead of planting it FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 - The hidden cheat code 01:36 - The Black Stallion lesson 03:30 - Redefining humility 05:49 - Be bridled, not broken 08:12 - Take full self-agency 09:21 - Self-control and delayed gratification 11:03 - The real reason most people fail KEYWORDS entrepreneur mindset, humility in business, self-control, discipline, delayed gratification, leadership growth, power under control, high performance habits, business leadership, emotional intelligence, self-agency, personal growth, entrepreneurial discipline, ownership mindset, black stallion metaphor, lion mindset, growth mindset, business strategy, legacy building, founder energy, personal responsibility 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!

    12 min

  6. JAN 6

    Why Cashflow Is More Important Than Your Net Worth

    What if your net worth is skyrocketing—but you still feel stuck? In this episode, Caleb and Aaron dive deep into one of the biggest mistakes high-performers make: prioritizing the wrong metric at the wrong time. They break down the real difference between income, cashflow, and net worth—and why optimizing too early for passive income can stall your freedom journey. Whether you're building your business or investing in deals, this episode will reshape how you think about wealth and freedom. TAKEAWAYS Why $10M+ net worth doesn’t mean freedomThe dangers of chasing passive cashflow too earlyDifference between income, cashflow, and net worthHow high-achievers get stuck in their own successThe FIRE movement trap (and how to escape it)Why your net worth isn’t as important as your optionalityCashflow is oxygen—but too much too early can suffocate growth RESOURCES MENTIONED Multiplier University FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:00 - The cashflow trap 01:42 - Income vs. cashflow vs. net worth 03:58 - Why traditional wealth advice is broken 05:23 - What freedom really means 07:26 - The 1.2M investor mistake 13:08 - Real wealth comes from long-term thinking 15:01 - Why options matter more than money 19:10 - Cashflow is oxygen 24:05 - Optimize the right metric at the right time KEYWORDS cashflow investing, net worth vs cashflow, passive income strategy, real estate investing, financial freedom, business owner finance, FIRE movement, wealth building, income vs wealth, real estate development, cashflow trap, investment mindset, entrepreneur mistakes, money strategy, millionaire habits, business valuation, early retirement myth, long-term investing, asset management, financial independence 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!

    29 min

  7. 12/30/2025

    If You're Still Holding On, You're Losing Money

    Would your business survive without you—or would it collapse? In this solo episode, Aaron breaks down the leadership traps that make entrepreneurs tighten their grip but silently destroy your company’s exit potential. This one’s a masterclass in ego-checking, team-building, and future-proofing your business value. If you're a founder, owner, or leader who wants freedom *and* a high-valuation exit, don’t wait until you’re burnt out to make changes. Learn how to build an exit-ready team now—so your company thrives whether you’re in the room or not. TAKEAWAYS Why ego and owner-dependence sabotage your exit valueThe importance of replacing yourself early in the company journeyHow loyalty-based hiring can hold you backWhat a truly exit-ready team looks likeThe “business appraisal” mindset you need todayWhy documenting every role, process, and system is essential RESOURCES MENTIONED Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Aaron Investing⁠ CHAPTERS 00:31 - Four Gaps That Kill Exit Value 02:34 - Replace Yourself Early 05:42 - Why Loyalty Isn’t Enough 07:04 - Team Buy-In vs. Leader Worship 08:30 - The Exit Readiness Test 09:55 - Defining Your Personal Exit Strategy 11:22 - Final Recap & Action Steps KEYWORDS exit planning, team building strategies, leadership gaps, business valuation, founder ego, scalable business systems, loyalty hiring risks, exit readiness, documented processes, buy back your time, owner dependence, succession planning, replacing yourself, scalable team structure, delegating leadership, team mission alignment, hiring strategy, team roles clarity, entrepreneur exit strategy, passive business ownership, scaling without burnout 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!

    12 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Don’t Just Make Money, Build Wealth with Alan Franks

    Most business owners are great at making money—but wealth? That's a whole different game. In this powerful conversation, Caleb sits down with Alan Franks, a financial advisor who actually *gets it*. No cookie-cutter plans. No commission traps. Just real strategies that help entrepreneurs turn active income into lasting legacy. They unpack what it really means to reach "critical mass" in your wealth, how to leverage tax law like the wealthy do, and why so many financial advisors are failing their clients. If you're a high performer looking to reduce taxes, create true passive income, and build a legacy that lasts beyond your lifetime, this episode is for you. TAKEAWAYS The difference between building income and building wealthWhy most financial advisors aren’t incentivized to help entrepreneurs winThree types of taxes to plan for: income, capital gains, and estateThe power of defined benefit plans for business ownersWhy securities-backed lines of credit might be your secret weaponHow to think in terms of opportunity cost instead of “either-or” RESOURCES MENTIONED Empowered Money by Alan Franks Who Not How by Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel FOLLOWS ⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠ ⁠Own The Exit⁠ ⁠Caleb Investing⁠ Alan Franks CHAPTERS 00:00 Why Income ≠ Wealth 01:08 Alan’s Entrepreneurial Backstory 04:15 Redefining Legacy 06:14 Multi-generational Mindset 09:21 Critical Mass & Financial Planning 12:17 The Three Types of Taxes 16:42 Defined Benefit Plans & Tax Deductions 19:07 Estate Planning for Business Owners 24:43 Opportunity Cost vs Either-Or Thinking 30:00 Real Estate, Crypto, Stocks—Do All Three? 33:52 Leveraging Lines of Credit Strategically 40:48 The Risk Side of Leverage 45:18 Syndications & Market Realities 47:02 Exit Round: Alan's Book Recs & Passive Income Strategy KEYWORDS financial planning for business owners, tax mitigation strategies, real estate syndications, legacy planning, securities backed lines of credit, opportunity cost, passive income strategy, defined benefit plan, income vs wealth, building generational wealth, multi-generational planning, estate tax reduction, capital gains planning, alternative investments, financial freedom strategy, high net worth planning, critical mass wealth, good debt vs bad debt, entrepreneur finances, holistic financial plan, investing diversification, cash flow strategies, line of credit 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!

    58 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
    123
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Caleb Edwards and Aaron Leatherdale
  • Show Website
    Own The Exit