In this powerful episode, I sit down with my long-time friend and serial entrepreneur Eddie Wilson—widely known as the “King of Exits”—to unpack what it truly means to build with purpose. Eddie shares how he has successfully exited over 113 companies and why his mission extends far beyond business. From navigating his first accidental exit to building a global nonprofit impacting 108 countries, Eddie walks us through how purpose, fulfillment, and systems of leadership have shaped his entrepreneurial path.

We also dive deep into his real estate journey, how he integrates tax strategy and endowments, and why legacy means creating something that can thrive without placing a burden on the next generation. Whether you’re a real estate investor, business owner, or mission-driven leader, this episode will challenge your definition of success and ignite a deeper sense of intentionality in your work.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Eddie’s entrepreneurial journey from his early 20s to now overseeing 113 business exits

[2:23] - Why fulfillment never comes at the end of the dollar and how purpose drives Eddie’s business philosophy

[3:34] - The true meaning of legacy and why Eddie is focused on endowing his nonprofit

[5:08] - Real estate as a generational vehicle: transitioning from flashy purchases to long-term passive income

[6:56] - Using multifamily investing as a tax strategy and tool for perpetuity

[8:04] - Eddie’s first “accidental” business exit and the life-changing lessons he learned

[11:59] - Realizing how buying and selling companies can help “redeem time” and fast-track your 80-year-old life

[14:06] - The business of leadership: what it takes to go from managing yourself to leading leaders

[16:20] - Building the Empire Operating System used by 3,000 companies globally

[18:09] - The two critical attributes of a leader of leaders: conscious competence and mitigating personal weaknesses

[21:11] - Why people—not marketing, finance, or strategy—are the hardest and most important part of business

[24:09] - Can leadership be taught or is it innate? Eddie’s answer may surprise you

[27:10] - A powerful example of leadership legacy through Nick Saban’s coaching tree

[28:00] - How to connect with Eddie Wilson and tap into his ecosystem of purpose-driven ventures

5 Key Takeaways

1. Legacy Isn’t Just Purpose—It’s Sustainability: Eddie’s goal isn’t just to create impact but to ensure it lives on without being a burden to the next generation.
2. Real Estate Is a Long-Term Wealth Vehicle: From tax strategy to endowment planning, real estate played a crucial role in Eddie’s financial architecture.
3. Your First Exit Could Change Everything: Eddie’s accidental exit taught him the power of exponential value and redeeming time.
4. Leadership Is a Learnable Pattern: Through his book Titan Leadership and the Empire Operating System, Eddie shows how great leaders are built, not born.
5. People Are the Greatest Variable: Business success hinges on how well you lead and manage people—systems matter, but people matter more.

Links & Resources

• Collective Influence – Eddie’s private equity firm: https://collectiveinfluence.com
• Impact Others – Learn more about Eddie’s global nonprofit: https://impactothers.com
• Follow Eddie Wilson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddiewilsonofficial
• Simple CFO – Get help with cash flow and profitability: https://simplecfo.com

If you’ve ever felt out of alignment in life or business, this episode will light a fire under you. I sit down with Amber Vilhauer—founder of No Guts No Glory and author of Infinite Impact—to talk about what it really takes to create purpose-driven work that actually changes lives. Amber’s not only the powerhouse who helped me launch Profit First for Real Estate Investing, but she’s also a deeply authentic entrepreneur with a remarkable journey of resilience and transformation.

Amber shares the emotional backstory that shaped her mission to help others feel heard, seen, and valued—and how that mission now fuels everything from book launches to marketing strategy. We dive into the real root of resistance, how entrepreneurs can overcome visibility fears, and why getting into alignment might be the most important step you’re skipping. If you’ve ever wondered whether your voice matters or how to make an impact beyond just growing your business, this one’s for you.

Episode Highlights

[0:00] - Introduction

[1:08] - Amber reflects on coming full circle with Simple CFO and the origins of her mission

[2:12] - Her early life of invisibility and the turning point that sparked her purpose

[3:29] - Why “Infinite Impact” became her book’s title and central message

[4:39] - The root of resistance and why so many entrepreneurs feel out of alignment

[5:52] - How skipping alignment leads to marketing failure (and how to fix it)

[6:38] - From book idea to legacy vehicle: Helping real estate investors uncover their message

[9:18] - The power of a micro-vision and how to create daily impact

[12:04] - Amber shares the deeply personal story that shaped her resistance to being seen

[16:33] - Overcoming traumatic beliefs and the ongoing work to use your voice

[22:31] - How one small academic moment taught Amber the power of choosing the hard path

[24:54] - A powerful reframe: Instead of asking what you want in life, ask how you want to feel

[28:20] - Why unmet needs—not money—are the true source of peace of mind

[30:05] - Where to get Amber’s full-color book and free alignment PDF

5 Key Takeaways

1. Alignment is Everything: Before launching any brand or business strategy, make sure you’re in personal alignment. It informs every decision moving forward.
2. Your Story is the Strategy: The very thing you’re most afraid to share could be your greatest impact tool.
3. Micro-Vision Over Mega-Vision: Focus on making one person feel heard, seen, and valued at a time. That’s how real impact scales.
4. Every Moment is a Choice: Whether it’s walking into a classroom or onto a stage, impact is built through choosing courage daily.
5. Peace of Mind Isn’t Bought: It’s created by meeting your own emotional needs—something entrepreneurs often overlook in the pursuit of growth.

Links & Resources

• Get the book + free PDF: InfiniteImpactBook.com
• Learn more about Amber’s work: No Guts No Glory
• Book your financial clarity call: SimpleCFO.com

Closing Remark

If this episode hit home, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And if you’re loving the show, please rate, follow, and review the podcast to help more people find financial clarity and purpose. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, I’m joined by one of my favorite humans and my very first Simple CFO client—Rich Lennon. Rich has done it all: from flipping houses to owning rentals, and now, he’s built a life of freedom through private lending. We unpack how he made the shift from operator to lender, what a “fractional wrap” is, and why lending has become his favorite seat at the table.

Whether you’re deep in real estate or just starting to stack cash, this episode gives you a blueprint for transitioning into lending the right way. Rich breaks down the systems, the mindset, and the returns—and shares how you can lend with both profitability and integrity.

Episode Timeline

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:15] – My early days working for Rich and how he became Simple CFO’s first client

[5:00] – How Rich discovered $800K hiding in his books and started thinking differently

[6:00] – Reaching financial freedom during COVID—and shutting everything down

[7:00] – Falling in love with lending: high returns, minimal hours, and maximum freedom

[9:00] – From flips to funding: Why lending is easier and less risky than operating

[12:00] – What a fractional wrap is and how Rich earns 30-50% ROI with lower risk

[14:30] – How to structure lending deals with skin in the game and built-in protection

[17:00] – Why you only need to do 2-4 deals per year to create serious passive income

[19:30] – Can you scale lending into a real business? Rich explains how he did it

[21:00] – Why staying local is crucial for successful private lending

[23:00] – How to underwrite a deal (even if you’ve never flipped a house)

[25:00] – The moral code of lending: returns are great—but do it the right way

[27:00] – How to get in touch with Rich and learn his full lending system

5 Key Takeaways

1. Lending can be simpler and safer than flipping — if you structure your deals correctly and underwrite with discipline.
2. Fractional wraps allow you to combine your money with others, lend it at a higher rate, and pocket the spread—earning 30–50% ROI.
3. Having skin in the game protects both you and your lender. Don’t cut corners on underwriting or paperwork.
4. Stay local so you can personally inspect properties and build trust with borrowers.
5. Integrity matters—Rich teaches not just how to make money but how to do it in a way that serves everyone involved.

Links & Resources

• Text Rich Lennon directly at (804) 601-0330 to learn more about his training on fractional wraps and private lending.
• Need to stack cash first? Book a free financial clarity call at simplecfo.com

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