What's Your Deal? | Buying Businesses, Business Acquisitions, Investing & Exit Strategies

What does it really take to leave a stable career and step into business ownership? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Kevin Mizell, a former government construction engineer manager who walked away from a high-level career to buy a small business—right in the middle of the pandemic. Kevin shares the real, unfiltered truth about what it's like to go from a W2 job to owning a business. From taking on large debt for the first time, to navigating labor challenges, to realizing that "passive income" isn't what most people think—it's all here. If you've ever thought about leaving your W2 job and buying a business, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you a grounded, real-world perspective on what it actually takes to succeed. This isn't theory. This is what it looks like in the real world. Timestamps: 02:00 – Leaving a stable career for business ownership 06:00 – Early entrepreneurial thoughts and risk considerations 10:00 – Choosing the right business (and core competency) 13:00 – Navigating the acquisition process 18:00 – Transitioning into ownership 22:00 – Employee challenges and leadership realities 26:00 – Buying during COVID uncertainty 28:00 – Managing debt and financial pressure 31:00 – Work ethic, integrity, and long-term mindset 36:00 – Advice for aspiring business owners 41:00 – Working with brokers and evaluating deals 44:00 – The reality of "owning vs. working in" a business 47:00 – Gratitude and closing thoughts Connect with Kevin Mizell Email - [email protected] Phone Number: 928-515-9663 Bennett Glass: https://www.bennettglassandmirror.com Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: ampedsuccess.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: [email protected] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

What does it really mean to be a great leader? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with leadership coach Keith Cowling to unpack what most people get wrong about leadership—and how to actually build influence that lasts. Keith shares lessons from over 30 years of working with business owners, teams, and individuals, revealing why leadership starts internally—not externally. From letting go of ego to learning how to truly develop people, this conversation goes far beyond surface-level advice. If you've ever struggled with managing people, holding others accountable, or balancing leadership at work and at home—this episode will challenge how you think and lead. This isn't about control. It's about growth, influence, and becoming the kind of leader people choose to follow. Timestamps 01:49 – Why most leadership stays surface-level 02:36 – Keith's early struggles with leadership and control 04:09 – The turning point: focusing on people over productivity 08:40 – Leadership vs. success: why they're not the same 09:50 – Why leadership is about others, not yourself 12:45 – Internal vs. external validation explained 18:17 – Why being "whole" matters more than being perfect 21:02 – Leading at home vs. leading at work 24:33 – The mirror question: what would your spouse say about you? 27:30 – The difference between paid respect and earned influence 29:06 – Winning respect from your family 32:17 – Ego, leadership, and servant mindset 34:31 – Accountability: control vs. development 36:12 – Why someone must hold the standard 40:08 – Clarity in leadership and team expectations 41:31 – What it really means to "level up" 44:00 – Content vs. implementation (why most people stay stuck) 45:40 – Gratitude and who helped shape Keith 50:52 – How to connect with Keith Connect with Keith Cowling Instagram: @ampedsuccess Email - [email protected] Phone Number: (291) 306-0568 Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith.cowling/ Website: Ampedsuccess.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: [email protected] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with repeat guests Luke McCarthy and Colton Imming to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in today's world—Bitcoin. This conversation goes far beyond crypto hype. It dives into the fundamentals of money, inflation, asset ownership, and long-term wealth strategy. Luke and Colton share why they've shifted their focus from traditional assets like real estate into Bitcoin, how they're using it to protect their wealth, and what it means for the future of investing. If you've ever questioned how money actually works—or why it feels harder to get ahead—this episode will open your eyes. Timestamps 02:10 – Bitcoin vs Cryptocurrency: What's the Difference? 03:25 – Bitcoin vs Gold: Understanding Scarcity 04:45 – The Hidden Truth About Money & Inflation 10:45 – How Bitcoin Changes Your Understanding of Money 11:50 – Why Inflation Doesn't Always Look Like Inflation 14:40 – The Growing Wealth Gap Explained 16:10 – Why Governments Will Keep Printing Money 18:15 – Real Estate vs Bitcoin: A New Perspective 19:20 – Do You Really Own Your Assets? 20:30 – Bitcoin as a Portable & Sovereign Asset 25:20 – Using Bitcoin in Business Strategy & Treasury 27:00 – Why Holding Cash Can Cost You 28:30 – Everyone Knows the Dollar Is Losing Value… Now What? 30:00 – Where to Start: Dollar Cost Averaging Bitcoin 33:30 – How They Personally Invest in Bitcoin 34:40 – Why Price Drops = Buying Opportunities 36:45 – How Bitcoin's Supply Actually Works 40:45 – Risks of Bitcoin & What Could Go Wrong 44:10 – Why Long-Term Thinking Is Critical 46:20 – Book Recommendation: The Price of Tomorrow Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: Ampedsuccess.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: [email protected] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

What happens after you sell your business? In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Paul Hickey, CEO of Legacy Wealth Management, to talk about one of the most overlooked parts of business ownership: what comes next after the exit. Paul shares insights from decades of experience in global finance, investment banking, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and entrepreneurship. Together, Matt and Paul unpack why so many business owners focus on getting out of the business but fail to prepare for life after the sale. They discuss the emotional side of exit planning, the identity shift many owners face, how to avoid blowing through hard-earned wealth, and why creating a life plan is just as important as creating a financial plan. Paul also explains the value of starting early, building a team before the sale, and using strategic planning to reduce taxes and generate sustainable income after an exit. This is a valuable conversation for business owners who want to sell wisely, protect their future, and build a true legacy for the next generation. Timestamps 0:16 – Matt introduces Paul Hickey and his background 2:01 – Paul's journey from tech entrepreneur to IPO to investment banking 4:10 – What Legacy Wealth Management and Legacy Exits actually do 5:30 – Why exit readiness is only part of the equation 6:42 – The emotional side of selling a business 8:02 – What business owners often do wrong after a successful exit 9:50 – Paul's advice: protect a baseline income before taking new risks 12:17 – When owners should begin exit planning 13:58 – Why selling a business is more like an Ironman than a 5K 15:26 – Reducing taxes and increasing income after a sale 18:43 – The difference between average returns and intentional wealth strategy 19:16 – What "non-correlated investments" means 22:25 – Who qualifies as an accredited investor 24:02 – What legacy really means 25:30 – The danger of generational wealth without structure 28:56 – Family bank concepts and distributing wealth responsibly 30:02 – How deep legacy planning can go 30:40 – Helping business owners who have everything tied up in the business 32:17 – Lessons from The Millionaire Next Door 34:38 – Dreamscaping and defining what financial freedom actually looks like 37:11 – The surprising mentor who helped Paul most 40:33 – Where to find Paul Hickey Connect with Paul Hickey: Legacywealthmg.com [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulchickey/ Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: Ampedsuccess.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: [email protected] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

On this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Jeff Tomasulo, founder and CEO of Vespula Capital Management. Jeff brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial markets as an investor, trader, and risk manager. In this conversation, he breaks down the mindset behind protecting capital, building wealth beyond your business, and using smarter strategies to reduce downside risk while creating long-term opportunity. This is an important episode for business owners, investors, and sellers who want to think more intentionally about what happens to their money before, during, and after a business transition. Timestamps: 02:23 Why many business owners keep too much wealth in their business 04:28 Matt's experience building multiple income streams 06:13 What new investors need to understand first 07:18 Why most people are taught average investing strategies 11:43 Why investing feels confusing and intimidating 14:03 Bias in financial advice and decision making 18:00 Systems and process for better investment decisions 19:18 Protecting the downside to grow long-term wealth 21:04 The importance of surrounding yourself with the right advisors 24:43 Validation vs. actually making money 27:04 Learning from mistakes and improving over time 30:06 What hedge funds actually are 32:06 Accredited investors and access to investment strategies 33:52 Options explained in plain English 36:01 Using different tools to reduce risk and grow wealth 36:48 How Jeff's fund compares to the S&P 500 during down markets 38:47 Advice for someone just getting started 41:18 Jeff shares who gave him a hand up Links & Resources: Connect with Jeff Tomasulo: https://vespulacapital.com TacticalIncome.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefftomasulo/ Instagram: @jefftomasulo Connect with Matt Uhler / Amped Success: Instagram: @ampedsuccess Website: Ampedsuccess.com Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Want to be a guest or sponsor an episode? If you'd like to be a guest on What's Your Deal? or are interested in sponsoring an episode, reach out to: [email protected] Listen & Subscribe: Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. It helps more people discover the show.

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with Carlos Salguero, President and Founder of CS3 Investments, to break down why multifamily real estate isn't just "real estate"—it's an income-producing business. Carlos shares his journey from growing up in Ecuador working in his family's print shop to building and exiting multiple businesses, and ultimately scaling into commercial multifamily—now totaling 1,900+ doors. Together, Matt and Carlos connect the dots between buying businesses and buying properties, including how experienced operators find opportunities in deals that developers often leave on the table. They also walk through the mindset shift many entrepreneurs face after realizing that owning rentals can turn into the "triple T's" (tenants, toilets, and termites)… and how syndications can provide a more truly passive route for business owners looking to diversify beyond their primary company. Timestamps: 00:16 – Introducing Carlos Salguero: From Ecuador to 1,900+ Multifamily Doors 02:42 – Why Multifamily Is Just Another Income-Producing Business 05:26 – From Duplexes to Class A Trophy Assets 06:36 – $150M Acquired in 15 Months: Scale & Strategy 09:03 – The "Triple T's" (Tenants, Toilets & Termites) vs. True Passive Investing 12:14 – Why Carlos Invests His Own Capital First 15:37 – Ownership Mentality & Aligning the Team 16:56 – Early Lessons: Working for Free to Build Equity in Relationships 23:03 – Finding the McKenzie Deal (251 Units, Class A) 25:30 – Why the Deal Fell Out of Contract (Twice) 27:30 – Hidden Value: Monetizing Amenities & Missed Income Streams 31:15 – Buying Multifamily Like a Business (NOI = EBITDA) 32:59 – Conservative Debt & Avoiding Lender "Re-Trades" 35:05 – Inside a $72M Acquisition Structure 37:30 – Operational Upside & Rent Growth Strategy 40:21 – Gratitude, Faith & Parental Influence 45:05 – Final Takeaways: Never Forget Who Helped You Get There Connect with Matt & Amped Success Website: https://www.ampedsuccess.com General Inquiries: [email protected] Follow Matt & Amped Success: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ampedsuccess LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amped-success YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmpedSuccess Connect with Carlos Salguero Website: https://www.cs3investments.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cssalguero/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcarlosinfinite/ Want to Be a Guest or Sponsor the Show? If you have a deal you'd like to break down on the podcast, a business story worth sharing, or are interested in sponsoring an episode of What's Your Deal?, we'd love to connect. Reach out directly at: [email protected] Subscribe & Review Never miss an episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. If you found this episode valuable, please leave a review — it helps more entrepreneurs and investors discover the show.

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with John Bowens, Director of Head of Education & Investor Success at Equity Trust, to break down one of the most overlooked wealth tools for entrepreneurs and investors: self-directed retirement accounts. John explains what "self-directed" actually means, why most retirement money stays locked in mutual funds by default, and how investors can use IRAs, 401(k)s (and even HSAs) to invest in real estate, private lending, private equity, pre-IPO stock, cryptocurrency, and precious metals—all while keeping the tax advantages of retirement accounts. They also dive into the ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups) structure and how some buyers use retirement funds to acquire a business without triggering taxes and penalties—plus the common mistakes and prohibited transaction rules that can trip people up if they don't understand the guardrails. If you've ever wondered how to put your retirement money to work in the assets you actually understand—this episode is your roadmap. Timestamps: 1:30 – What Equity Trust does + what "self-directed" means 3:40 – John's background and how he got into this industry 6:40 – Why investors choose self-directed accounts (diversification + taxes) 9:20 – Clearing up a misconception: contributing vs investing 12:15 – Liquidity: short-term vs long-term alternative investing 16:50 – Matching strategy to age, goals, and skill set 20:20 – ROBS overview: using retirement funds to buy a business 29:50 – Costs + when it does/doesn't make sense financially 38:45 – Common mistakes + prohibited transactions 41:30 – John's "hand up" story + mentors Resources & Links Connect with John: Website: https://www.trustetc.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnbowenscisp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bowens/ Connect with Matt: Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-uhler-a9896612/ Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: [email protected]

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler interviews Larry Yatch — former U.S. Navy SEAL officer turned entrepreneur strategist and high-performance coach — about the unseen survival patterns that drive decisions in business, money, leadership, and relationships. Larry explains why most people misunderstand trauma: it's not about the event — it's about the subconscious strategy your brain adopts to survive when your perception of control is taken away. Those strategies can create success… but they can also create burnout, misalignment, and self-sabotage if they remain unrecognized. Matt ties this directly to what he sees in real deals: sellers backing out at the finish line, leaders who can't rest even when they "have everything," and entrepreneurs who keep grinding because their subconscious equates love, worth, or identity with pain. If you're building a business, leading a team, negotiating deals, or trying to grow your income — this conversation will help you understand what might be running the show underneath your conscious intentions. Timestamps 0:01 Intro + Larry Yatch background 2:57 SEALs, injury, entrepreneurship as "freedom" (and why that's often a lie) 10:25 Trauma: why most people hear the word wrong 11:54 Trauma comes from survival, not the experience 14:34 "Perception of control" and how survival lessons get formed 17:21 Subconscious vs conscious: why we feel stuck 20:35 Deals falling apart: sellers torpedoing outcomes 22:05 Trauma size = dysfunction today (not what happened) 26:35 Creating external fights to validate internal struggle 28:30 CEO trauma as the limiter of a "structurally sound" company 30:11 The 4 domains where trauma shows up (money, relationships, health, purpose) 33:22 You don't need to relive the worst moments to change behaviors 36:19 SEAL story: fighting to deploy — why perception of control matters 40:00 Matt's personal story: success rising, panic rising 46:27 Where to find Larry + his work (financial trauma) 48:04 Gratitude + who helped Larry start healing Resources & Links Connect with Larry: Website: https://financialtruepath.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larryyatch https://www.instagram.com/larryyatch LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryyatch trupathmastery.com Connect with Matt: Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Colton Imming, to unpack what it really looks like to leave a W2 career behind, bet on yourself, and step into business ownership. Colton shares his path to a private equity environment that rewarded performance — and how a long-term plan with his wife, Katie, helped them prioritize freedom, family, and control over their time. That journey eventually led to Colton partnering with two others to build a holding company focused on acquiring and stewarding small businesses. From there, the conversation goes into the real-world lessons you only learn after closing: why proximity matters, what happens when you lose a major client, why "easy upside" improvements like adding a CRM can be a much heavier lift than expected, and the critical importance of being well-capitalized so you're making decisions for the long-term — not just trying to survive payroll. Matt and Colton also discuss a topic buyers rarely hear addressed openly: the reality of working with the listing broker when there's no separate buyer representation, and how trust, communication, and education can make or break the process. To close, Colton gives a high-level preview of his perspective on Bitcoin — not as a trend, but as a deeper conversation about money, value, and long-term thinking — and shares who gave him a "hand up" on his path. Timestamps: 00:16 – Colton's background (E&Y → PE → family-first move) 03:25 – Leaving the W2 ladder: mindset + planning for freedom 08:16 – Quitting PE: notice, golden handcuffs, betting on himself 11:06 – Starting an accounting firm + investing alongside it 12:29 – Forming the 3-partner holding company (CEO/COO/CFO lanes) 16:57 – What they looked for in an acquisition (local + recurring revenue) 18:48 – Lessons after closing: trucks/fleet, culture upgrades, professionalism 25:40 – Tech + systems: CRM implementation is heavier than expected 29:56 – Losing a major client + why working capital matters 33:00 – Listing broker dynamic: buyer-side trust + efficiency 41:35 – Colton's advice to buyers: capitalization > everything 43:42 – Bitcoin philosophy: money, value, and long-term thinking 49:28 – "Hand up" gratitude segment + closing Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

In this special "Deal or No Deal" episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with returning guest Keith Sklarsky to dissect a real $5.5 million logistics business — and decide whether it's worth pursuing. On paper, the business checks some important boxes: multi-million dollar revenue, strong recent growth, and nearly $1 million in projected discretionary earnings. But as Matt and Keith dig deeper, the red flags begin to surface. From fluctuating earnings and aggressive marketing spend to questionable independent contractor classifications and unrealistic valuation multiples, this episode is a masterclass in disciplined deal evaluation. If you're considering buying a business — or want to avoid making a million-dollar mistake — this conversation will help you think like a seasoned operator. Timestamps 02:10 – Why real deal breakdowns matter 04:30 – Overview of the $5.5M logistics brokerage 06:00 – First guardrails: region, size, and impact 09:45 – Revenue growth vs. sustainability 11:00 – SDE vs EBITDA — which metric matters? 12:30 – Independent contractors vs employees (major red flag) 17:00 – Risk, audits, and payroll exposure 18:45 – Marketing spend: $1.2M+ — scalable or dangerous? 22:30 – The importance of core competency 23:20 – Line-by-line financial analysis 25:30 – Understanding add-backs (and when not to accept them) 29:00 – Expense inconsistencies and anomalies 31:30 – Human resources and family dynamics in acquisitions 36:00 – Financial feasibility and debt service reality 40:00 – Valuation multiples that don't pencil 42:30 – Capital deployment strategy: Is this the best use of funds? 46:45 – Final Vote: Deal or No Deal? 48:00 – Gratitude, partnership, and paying it forward Resources & Links Want to be a guest on the show, or have a deal that you would like for us to evaluate? Apply here Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: For inquiries, reach out at [email protected]

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler sits down with Keira Hamilton, a former high school English teacher with a master's in education from UC Berkeley who made an unexpected leap into business ownership. Keira and her husband bought their first business — a San Francisco laundromat — in 2023, learned fast why "passive income" is often a myth, and then sold the laundromat in 2024 after improving systems and operations to make the business more transferable. From there, they moved to San Diego and acquired their next business: Sunshine Window Cleaning, an off-market service company they found through cold outreach. Keira breaks down what most buyers underestimate (especially proximity, staffing realities, and operating complexity), how transparency builds trust in a transaction, and why "perfect certainty" isn't a requirement to buy — but courage, skill-building, and runway management are. If you're exploring your first acquisition, thinking about "semi-absentee" ownership, or trying to understand what makes a business easier to buy, run, and sell — this one is packed with real-world insight. Timestamps: 0:16 – Meet Keira Hamilton: teacher → business owner 2:16 – Pivot from real estate to buying a business 5:27 – Finding the laundromat + broker challenges 8:02 – Cash offers, family financing & SBA realities 12:36 – Valuation: art vs science + speed matters 14:24 – Laundromat myth-busting & proximity lessons 19:23 – Why they sold the laundromat after 16 months 22:18 – Selling fast through transparency & systems 25:24 – Increasing value with SOPs and organization 32:38 – Off-market window cleaning acquisition 35:38 – Knowing when to stop searching & take the leap 44:10 – No industry experience & surviving the transition 50:55 – Working with a spouse + partnership lessons 55:59 – Gratitude, support systems & final takeaways Connect with Keira: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keirahamilton? https://sunshinewindowcleaningsd.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ahigherflow?igsh=MXM5aXV2YjFyZDljYQ== https://www.instagram.com/sunshinewindowcleaningsd?igsh=ZWE5c3djazBwMjE3 https://youtube.com/@keira_hamilton?si=WJy79JRLHIcr_GCO Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: Interested in sponsorship opportunities or being a guest on What's Your Deal? Email [email protected]

Most business owners spend years building something valuable — yet never prepare it to be sold. In this shorter episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt Uhler and Sarah Rainwater break down why exit readiness is one of the most overlooked (and most powerful) strategies in business ownership. Preparing your business for exit isn't just about selling — it's about running a healthier, more profitable, and more valuable business today, while preserving the option to exit when and how you choose. Matt shares real-world experience from decades of buying, selling, and advising business owners, including why most businesses are not ready to sell when owners think they are, how small financial decisions multiply at exit, and why time and preparation dramatically change outcomes. Whether exit is on your radar now or years away, this conversation will help you start thinking like an owner — not just an operator — and treat your business like the asset it truly is. Timestamps: 00:16 – Why exit readiness matters for every business owner 00:51 – The role of repetition ("reps") in building strong businesses 01:40 – Running a business like it will be sold 02:39 – Matt's journey from janitorial business to business ownership 03:43 – The "silver tsunami" and missed exit opportunities 04:20 – Why businesses are assets, not just jobs 05:26 – The untapped world of business buying and selling 06:26 – Why exit readiness impacts retirement outcomes 07:30 – Why valuation reality matters 08:16 – The importance of knowing where your business truly stands 08:59 – How long exit preparation really takes 10:19 – Why coaching and accountability change results 11:55 – Seeing blind spots and staying on track 12:47 – Operating for ownership vs. operating for exit 13:34 – What happens when owners wait too long 14:45 – Why owners delay exit preparation 16:01 – What's included in an exit readiness evaluation 17:40 – Financial mistakes that reduce exit value 18:36 – How multiples amplify financial decisions 19:21 – Monthly coaching, KPIs, and value creation 20:11 – When and how to start preparing for exit 21:45 – Where to learn more about exit readiness Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: Interested in sponsorship opportunities or being a guest on What's Your Deal? Email [email protected]

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt breaks down real estate through the lens of business acquisition with August Biniaz, Co-Founder and CIO of CPI Capital. This conversation goes beyond property investing and gets into what it really means to acquire, operate, and scale assets like a business. August shares how he evaluates deals, raises capital, structures deals, and manages risk—principles that directly mirror buying operating companies, not just real estate. TIMESTAMPS: 00:16 Meet August Biniaz + CPI Capital overview 01:55 From broker → fix & flips → becoming the GC 03:25 Homebuilding in Vancouver/Toronto and the desire to scale 04:05 Why August moved into private equity + the motivation behind CPI 05:25 Why CPI pivoted toward U.S. deals for Canadian investors 07:17 Funds vs. syndications: how the capital-raise process works 08:48 Why CPI likes multifamily: demand, rent-to-value ratios, and scale 13:12 CPI's strategy: multifamily value-add and "forced appreciation" 16:24 Build-to-rent (BTR): what it is and how CPI approaches it 19:55 Stabilization timelines and what "lease-up" really looks like 21:26 CPI's BTR approach: partnering locally + selling to investor buyers 22:10 Timelines: entitlements, permits, and project milestones 24:27 Structuring deals: SPVs, U.S. master fund + Canadian feeder fund 25:46 Tax complexity, investor psychology, and cross-border challenges 28:49 When deals fall apart—and why walking away can be the best move 31:33 2026 goals: deal flow challenges and where opportunity is forming 34:17 1031 exchanges: do exchange buyers impact CPI's acquisitions? 36:26 Who helped August most: his mother + early lessons on real estate Connect with August: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustbiniaz/ https://www.instagram.com/augustbiniaz/ https://www.facebook.com/soheil.biniaz https://x.com/CPI_Capital https://www.youtube.com/@realestateinvestingdemystified Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: Interested in sponsorship opportunities or being a guest on What's Your Deal? Email [email protected]

In this episode of What's Your Deal?, Matt sits down with returning guest Dana DeVito, coach and consultant with Elite Performance Associates, to tackle one of the most common — and costly — problems business owners face: becoming the bottleneck in their own business. Many owners start their companies because they're great technicians. But as the business grows, that same strength becomes the very thing that limits scale, profitability, and freedom. Dana and Matt unpack why owners struggle to let go, how perfectionism and micromanagement quietly hold businesses hostage, and why delegation without accountability always fails. If you want a business that can grow, operate, and eventually sell without you being involved in everything, this episode is a must-listen. Timestamps: 01:00 – Why owners become bottlenecks without realizing it 02:30 – Technician vs. owner mindset 04:30 – Perfectionism and the fear of letting go 06:30 – Micromanagement: when it helps and when it hurts 08:30 – "I can outwork anyone… but not everyone" 9:00 – The dopamine hit of being the hero 12:00 – How owners create their own burnout 13:30 – Why businesses improve when owners step away 15:00 – Building people instead of controlling outcomes 17:00 – Replacing yourself without losing relevance 19:30 – Delegation, accountability, and leadership discipline 22:00 – Where owners should actually spend their time 24:55 – Why checking boxes feels productive but isn't 27:00 – The "plate spinner" analogy for leadership 28:50 – Motivation vs. discipline 31:00 – Why coaches matter at every level 34:00 – Small steps that unlock big change 36:00 – Building discipline through repetition 39:00 – Stacking wins and avoiding burnout 43:00 – Gratitude, mentorship, and giving others a hand up 49:00 – Final thoughts on bottlenecks and ownership Connect with Dana: Instagram: @dana_devito LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-devito/ eliteperformanceassociates.com [email protected] Follow Us on Social Media Instagram: @AmpedSuccess LinkedIn: Amped Success Tiktok: @Ampedsuccess YouTube: @AmpedSuccess 📧 Contact Us: Interested in sponsorship opportunities or being a guest on What's Your Deal? Email [email protected]