What if the push to grow fast is the very thing that’s sabotaging your freedom? In this episode, Caleb and Aaron pull the curtain back on why the “scale at all costs” mentality is killing more businesses than it’s helping. They challenge the glorification of hyper-growth and unpack the hidden dangers of rushing success without foundation.

From managing cash flow to managing your mind, this episode is a raw, real look at what sustainable entrepreneurship actually looks like. You’ll hear lessons about long-game thinking, avoiding the focus trap, and why patience—not hype—is your most underrated growth strategy. If you’re tired of building things that break under pressure, this conversation will help you slow down and scale smart.

TAKEAWAYS

• Fast growth without foundation leads to collapse.
• Every big push must be followed by intentional recovery.
• Patience isn’t passive—it’s the secret to compounding momentum.
• Cash flow problems—not bad ideas—kill most businesses.
• Being consistently focused beats being constantly busy.
• Scale what’s working instead of chasing what’s new.
• Don’t keep restarting—save your progress and build from it.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron Investing⁠⁠

Caleb Investing⁠

CHAPTERS

0:00 The Myth of Scale-at-All-Costs

1:45 The Price of Building Without Foundations

3:03 Smart Growth Is Slower (and Stronger)

5:12 Sprints and Recovery: How to Avoid Burnout

7:45 Entrepreneurs Don’t Rest—But Should

9:21 Patience: The Real Superpower

11:48 Consistency > Hype

13:23 Operations Matter More Than Vision Alone

15:14 Cash Flow: The #1 Business Killer

18:17 Why You Must Pay Yourself First

19:42 Focus: The Entrepreneur’s Trap

20:37 Hormozi’s Growth Curve Breakdown

24:41 Donkey Kong and Business Lessons

26:20 Beat the Boss. Save the Progress.

KEYWORDS

smart business growth, scale a business sustainably, avoid burnout entrepreneurship, how to manage cash flow, founder mindset shift, business scaling strategy, patient entrepreneurship, entrepreneur focus trap, Alex Hormozi business curve, informed optimism business, cash flow vs profit, consistent business growth, how to avoid startup failure, own the exit podcast, Caleb Edwards, Aaron Leatherdale business growth

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!

Everyone wants passive income—but almost no one talks about how to earn the right to have it. In this candid solo episode, Aaron Leatherdale breaks down the three-step wealth-building framework that every investor and entrepreneur must understand before they jump into alternative deals, syndications, or passive strategies.

Aaron flips the script on internet gurus and get-rich-quick investors by showing why you shouldn't skip active income. He walks through how to build your primary engine, secure your financial base like Fort Knox, and then scale real wealth through passive vehicles—at the right time and in the right order. This is the anti-hype playbook for anyone who wants to play the long game and actually own their exit.

TAKEAWAYS

• Active income is the foundation of real wealth.
• You need cash reserves before you start investing.
• Passive income only works if you earned capital to invest.
• Skipping steps leads to instability and burnout.
• Alternative investments are a multiplier—not a shortcut.
• The wealth game is long-term and sequence matters.
• Freedom comes when your passive income equals your expenses.
• Every dollar from step one can fuel steps two and three if done right.

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron Investing⁠⁠

CHAPTERS

0:00 Why Your Job Isn't Wealth

0:24 The Dangerous Rush to Passive Income

1:45 Step One: Maximize Active Income

5:01 Step Two: Build Fort Knox (Cash Reserves)

7:24 Step Three: Invest to Multiply

9:46 Passive Income vs. Income Replacement

12:00 How Much Do You Need to Make $100k in Passive?

14:25 Why Aaron Still Works Actively

16:15 The 20-Year Wealth Snowball

KEYWORDS

wealth building strategy, passive income vs active income, financial freedom plan, alternative investments explained, how to replace active income, cash reserves importance, private equity investing, multifamily real estate cash flow, step-by-step wealth system, Dave Ramsey for entrepreneurs, Oak IQ wealth plan, investing in syndications, long-term financial planning, business owner investing strategy

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!

Most entrepreneurs aren’t building freedom—they’re building a high-paid trap. In this brutally honest solo episode, Caleb Edwards delivers a wake-up call for founders stuck in hustle cycles and glorified self-employment. If your business can’t survive 30 days without you, you don’t own a business—you own a job with more stress and better branding.

Caleb unpacks the critical difference between being the operator and being the owner—and lays out the three shifts every serious entrepreneur must make to unlock real leverage. You’ll walk away from this episode with a new lens on time, income, systems, and what freedom actually costs. If you’ve built income but not margin, you’re still on the clock. It's time to build the business that works without you.

TAKEAWAYS

• If your business dies without you, you built a job, not freedom.
• Real ownership is measured by margin, not revenue.
• Leverage means your income grows even when you're not working.
• Freedom comes from systems, not hustle.
• You must shift from operator to architect.
• Time, energy, and autonomy are just as important as profit.
• Legacy is built by what you live, not just what you leave.

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit 

Caleb Investing⁠

CHAPTERS

0:00 Would Your Business Survive Without You?

0:46 Hustle Culture Is a Trap

2:45 Revenue Isn’t Freedom

3:07 Why Most Entrepreneurs Lack Leverage

4:33 The Real Question: Are You Free?

5:30 From Operator to Architect: The Ownership Shift

6:32 Three Moves to Unlock Real Ownership

7:33 The Moment That Changed Everything

9:10 Rebuild Your Systems, Reclaim Your Time

KEYWORDS

entrepreneur ownership shift, time freedom business, passive income for founders, business that runs without you, operator vs owner mindset, how to build business systems, entrepreneurial leverage, stop trading time for money, margin over hustle, building legacy not just revenue, freedom through automation, business philosophy for founders, Caleb Edwards podcast, Own The Exit

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!

In this powerful episode of Own the Exit, Caleb sits down with Dr. Ruth Mannschreck—a dentist-turned-coach who slashed her practice hours from five days to two… and grew revenue beyond the original mark. What started as a personal crisis with her daughter’s health turned into a wake-up call: redesign life and business on your terms—or burn out trying.

Ruth unpacks the 5-part framework that helped her do it—and now helps other business owners do the same. Whether you’re running a dental practice, a consulting firm, or a real estate portfolio, these principles are industry-agnostic and exit-proof. From building bulletproof systems to empowering teams, redefining leadership, and installing values-driven culture—this episode is a blueprint for owning more time, more freedom, and ultimately, your exit.

TAKEAWAYS

• You don’t need more hours—you need better systems.
• Your team will rise to the level you empower them to.
• Documenting the emotional journey of a customer changes everything.
• Hiring for values is more powerful than hiring for skills.
• Culture must be visible in behavior, not just on the wall.
• Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about clarity and trust.
• Working fewer hours can grow your revenue if you redesign right.
• A business that runs without you is the most valuable one to sell.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

Caleb Investing⁠

Ruth Mannschreck

workfewerhours.com

CHAPTERS

0:41 Ruth’s Origin Story: Crisis Forced the Shift

3:03 Scaling Back to Scale Revenue

5:25 How to Build a Team That Protects You

7:44 The Doctor Next Door and Coaching Begins

9:22 Step One: Systematize Everything

12:23 Systems Should Include Emotion

14:20 Communication Systems That Prevent Silos

19:06 Step Three: High-Performance Team Building

21:26 Ruth’s Hiring and Roleplay Techniques

26:01 Step Four: Core Values Must Become Behavior

28:28 Culture in Action: The Chick-fil-A Effect

30:52 Step Five: Leadership That Creates Ownership

33:13 Why This Makes Your Business More Sellable

34:55 The Exit Round: Favorite Book + Passive Income

36:57 Ruth’s Advice to Her Younger Self

38:15 Ruth’s Plan for Scalable Impact

39:06 Connect with Ruth: workfewerhours.com

KEYWORDS

work fewer hours, high performance team, systematizing your business, exit strategy, business culture examples, leadership in modern teams, how to scale without burnout, business that runs without you, values-based hiring, communication in scaling businesses, SOP creation, passive income for service providers, Dr. Ruth Mannschreck, own the exit podcast, sellable business framework

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!

What do the wealthiest entrepreneurs have in common? It’s not just grit or capital—it’s how they think. In this solo episode, Caleb Edwards dives deep into why the most powerful business moves aren't tactical—they're philosophical. He unpacks the three principles that separate struggling operators from strategic visionaries: perception, scarcity, and belief.

You’ll hear how Solomon’s 2.2 trillion-dollar wisdom still applies to modern founders, why behavior always follows belief (in your clients, your team, and yourself), and how most entrepreneurs are solving the wrong problem. If you’ve built something meaningful but feel stuck, this episode is your call to pivot from hustle to mastery.

TAKEAWAYS

• People don’t buy what’s real—they buy what they believe is valuable.
• Scarcity is a filter that sharpens focus, not a flaw to fix.
• Behavior always follows belief—change belief, change outcomes.
• Your real product is the transformation your client thinks they’re buying.
• Wisdom isn’t abstract—it’s the foundation of generational wealth.
• Economic decisions are value judgments, not just transactions.
• More offers dilute power; clarity compounds it.
• You’ll never outperform your core beliefs.

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

Caleb Investing⁠

CHAPTERS

0:00 The Secret Billionaires Have in Common

2:19 Solomon’s Wisdom: Business Begins in Belief

4:30 Business Is Philosophy + Economics

6:41 Why Perceived Value Always Wins

9:05 Oak IQ’s Real Offer (And Yours)

11:29 Scarcity Is the Ultimate Clarifier

13:53 From Hustle to Legacy: Caleb’s Turning Point

15:59 Behavior Follows Belief: Clients, Teams, and You

18:24 Journal This: Your Money Beliefs Matter

20:30 The Entrepreneur’s Triple Question: Truth, Scarcity, and Value

KEYWORDS

philosophy in business, perceived value vs real value, scarcity mindset, business clarity, entrepreneur beliefs, Thomas Sowell economics, how to scale a business, behavior follows belief, Solomon wisdom business, passive investing mindset, Oak IQ Investments, real estate investor mindset, high net worth strategy, exit strategy business, legacy-focused entrepreneurship

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!

In this episode of Own the Exit, Caleb Edwards delivers a powerful lesson on why speed of execution is the defining factor in business success. He breaks down the difference between iteration and ideation, explaining why launching quickly and improving along the way beats waiting for perfection every time.

Caleb shares real-world examples from his own journey, including how his investment firm became a leader simply by moving faster than the competition. He also unpacks the psychology behind customer decisions, explaining why reducing “time to value” is the key to market dominance. If you’ve been sitting on an idea, waiting for the perfect moment—this episode is your wake-up call.

TAKEAWAYS

• Done is better than perfect—perfection kills momentum.
• Speed of execution is the ultimate competitive advantage.
• Market feedback is the only way to truly refine your idea.
• The first to market wins—but only if they improve the fastest.
• Customer loyalty comes from continuous improvement and over-delivering.
• Time to value matters—faster results mean higher perceived value.
• Businesses that execute fast, iterate often, and improve consistently will dominate.

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

Caleb Investing⁠

CHAPTERS

0:00 Done Is Better Than Perfect

0:36 Why Money Follows Speed

1:42 The Real Value of Fast Execution

2:38 How Oak IQ Beat the Market

3:28 Iteration > Ideation

4:33 Optimize Time to Value

5:24 Pizza, Xanax, and Speed Economics

6:25 Upgrade Existing Clients First

7:11 The 6-Part Chain Reaction to Exit

KEYWORDS

business execution, speed over perfection, competitive advantage, iteration vs ideation, time to value, customer experience, scaling a business, entrepreneurship, business growth, over-delivering, startup strategy, launching fast, market feedback, business psychology,

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!

Most business owners and high-income earners focus on making money—but few master the art of keeping it. In this episode of On The Exit, Caleb and Aaron expose the biggest tax-saving strategies that the wealthy use to legally reduce their tax burden and build lasting wealth. From cost segregation in real estate to oil and gas investments, these are the tools that can save you six or seven figures over time.

If you’re tired of giving away too much to Uncle Sam, listen in as we break down the eight advanced tax strategies that can help you maximize deductions, invest smarter, and legally keep more of what you earn.

TAKEAWAYS

• • The top 1% don’t just make more—they keep more.
  • Taxes are the biggest wealth killer for high earners.
  • The tax code is full of legal ways to reduce what you owe.
  • Cost segregation accelerates real estate depreciation.
  • Opportunity zones allow tax-free investment growth.
  • Oil and gas investments provide huge tax deductions.
  • 1031 exchanges defer capital gains tax.
  • The right CPA can save you millions over time.

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron Investing⁠⁠

Caleb Investing⁠

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why Entrepreneurs Overpay in Taxes

02:35 The IRS Tax Code is a Playbook

04:57 8 Advanced Tax Strategies You Need

07:03 How Cost Segregation Saves Millions

09:03 The Power of Opportunity Zones

11:25 Why Oil & Gas Investments Are Tax Gold

13:44 1031 Exchanges: Deferring Taxes the Smart Way

16:07 The Risks & Rewards of Tax Planning

18:25 Don’t Get Stuck on One Strategy

20:42 How to Offset Taxes With Smart Investing

22:48 Free Masterclass on Advanced Tax Strategies Coming Soon

KEYWORDS

tax-saving strategies, tax loopholes, cost segregation, real estate investing, 1031 exchange, oil and gas investment, passive income, tax deductions, high-income earners, wealth-building, tax code secrets, opportunity zones, CPA tax advice, advanced tax strategies, reducing tax burden

EPISODE 83

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!

Most people think making more money will make them wealthy. But the truth is, even high earners stay stuck because they don’t understand how to convert active income into passive wealth.

In this episode, Aaron Leatherdale shares how he transitioned from being overworked and overwhelmed to building a nine-figure real estate portfolio in just 24 months. He reveals why traditional investment advice benefits the financial industry more than you, the biggest myths that keep people trapped in the cycle of trading time for money, and the exact system he used to generate wealth without sacrificing his family or freedom.

If you want to learn how to make money work for you and create lasting wealth, this episode is a must-listen.

TAKEAWAYS

• High income does not guarantee wealth.
• Traditional financial advice is designed to keep you dependent.
• The key to wealth is converting active income into passive income.
• Passive income is the only way to escape the time-for-money trap.
• Real estate can generate wealth without consuming your time.
• You don’t need to be an expert—leveraging teams is key.
• Financial freedom is about buying back your time, not just making money.

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron Investing⁠⁠

CHAPTERS

0:00 The Financial Industry’s Secret Wealth Rules

2:01 Why High Earners Stay Stuck

5:10 Active Income vs Passive Wealth

8:02 The Real Power of Real Estate

10:30 Leveraging Expertise for Passive Wealth

13:05 Real Estate Investing for Lifestyle Freedom

14:04 A 5 Step Implementation Strategy

16:40 Your 30-Day Action Plan

KEYWORDS

passive income, financial freedom, wealth-building, real estate investing, time-for-money trap, investment myths, scaling income, Oak IQ Investments, high-income professionals, entrepreneurship, asset-based wealth, money mindset, financial literacy, income strategies, retirement planning

EPISODE 82

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!

In this episode, Caleb and Aaron break down real strategies for thriving in today’s unpredictable economy. They discuss why mindset matters more than market conditions and how business owners can take control of their financial future.

They dive into the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make, the power of leverage, and why working harder isn’t always the answer. If you want to scale your income, work smarter, and avoid the pitfalls that hold most people back, this episode is for you.

TAKEAWAYS

• You don’t need a booming economy to build wealth.

• Leverage is the key to working smarter, not harder.

• Most people stay broke because they focus on the wrong things.

• Business success is about systems, not just effort.

• Adaptability beats intelligence when it comes to financial success.

• If you aren’t making money while you sleep, you’ll work until you die.

• Learning from the right mentors can save you years of struggle.
• Wealth is built by those who take calculated risks.

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Aaron Investing⁠⁠

Caleb Investing⁠

CHAPTERS

1:48 The real reason most people never build wealth

4:27 Why mindset is more important than market conditions

8:05 The biggest mistakes holding entrepreneurs back

12:19 How to create systems that scale your business

16:55 Leverage: The key to working less and earning more

21:33 Why adapting to change is more important than intelligence

26:14 Passive income vs. active income—what really works

30:51 The power of mentorship and learning from others

35:27 How successful people think differently about money

KEYWORDS

business growth, financial freedom, entrepreneur mindset, scaling a business, passive income, leverage, economic downturn, business mistakes, time management, money mindset, leadership, success habits, productivity hacks, personal development

EPISODE 80

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!

In this episode of Own the Exit, Caleb dives deep into the concept of command presence—the unspoken quality that makes people respect, trust, and follow a leader. He breaks down the psychological triggers behind presence, practical strategies to cultivate it, and the biggest mistakes that undermine authority.

Whether you’re leading a business, a church, or a team, this episode will equip you with actionable insights to project confidence, control a room, and make an unforgettable impact.

TAKEAWAYS

• Command presence is about how you carry yourself, not just what you say.

• The first 10 seconds of an interaction set the tone for respect and influence.

• Eye contact and posture instantly change how people perceive you.

• Confidence without competence is arrogance—master your craft.

• The best leaders control their emotions, no matter the pressure.

• Clarity in speech makes you appear more powerful and decisive.
• You don’t need to be the loudest in the room—silence can be powerful.
  

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink

• The Charisma Myth by Olivia Fox Cabane

  
  

FOLLOWS

⁠⁠Oak IQ Investments⁠⁠

⁠Own The Exit ⁠

Caleb Investing⁠

CHAPTERS

0:00 Leadership is Easy When It’s Smooth

0:50 What Is Command Presence?

1:33 The First Pillar: Vision

2:22 The Second Pillar: Integrity

5:07 The Third Pillar: Competence

6:11 The Fourth Pillar: Composure

7:32 The Fifth Pillar: Communication

8:29 The Challenge: Which Pillar Do You Lack?

KEYWORDS

leadership presence, authority building, confidence hacks, public speaking tips, influence tactics, personal branding, command respect, leadership mindset, nonverbal communication, power dynamics, business leadership, charisma techniques, high-performance leadership, executive presence, body language mastery

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!