289: How Eddie Wilson Sold 100+ Companies and Found Purpose Beyond Wealth

What happens when you sell over 100 companies and still feel empty inside?
In this episode of The Root of All Success, Jason Duncan sits down with Eddie Wilson, known as The King of Exits, to talk about the reality behind selling businesses, what most entrepreneurs miss when chasing success, and how to build something truly lasting—personally and professionally.

Eddie has owned more than 125 businesses and exited over 100 of them. But it wasn’t until he hit rock bottom emotionally—after selling 76 companies for over $1 billion—that he realized real success isn’t about exits. It’s about time, purpose, and intentionality. Eddie shares hard-earned lessons about financial readiness, emotional health, and the legacy-building mindset that changed his life.

🔑 Takeaways from this episode:

• What Eddie learned from losing $30M in his first unintentional exit
• The five phases of business every entrepreneur goes through
• Why most business owners build a prison they can’t escape
• How to systematize your business using the Empire Operating System
• The three pillars of time, wealth, and purpose—and why purpose matters most
• The truth about post-exit depression (and how to avoid it)
• How philanthropy became Eddie’s most fulfilling venture
• Why you need to stop chasing money and start tracking time

👉 If you're building a business but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unfulfilled—this episode will shift your mindset.
💡 Subscribe to The Root of All Success and share this episode with someone chasing exits but missing meaning.

Who is Eddie Wilson?

Eddie Wilson is a businessman known as the “King of Exits.” He has owned over 125 companies and exited over 85 of them successfully. His current private equity firm Collective Influence has significant holdings as well. The PE firm owns Think Realty, American Association of Private Lenders, Apticode, FitCon, Tax-Free Crypto, Because Coffee, The Power Room, Money Is, and around 10 other companies.

 

Eddie is also known for creating an operating system that systematically manages his company's growth, allowing him the greatest odds for success. His operating system is known as the Empire Operating System

 

With all of his success in his 40s, he has turned his efforts to humanitarian non-profit activities with his foundation, Impact Others.

Eddie Wilson’s Website Link:  https://aspiretour.com/

Eddie Wilson’s Social Media Link:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eddiewilsonofficial/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eddie_wilson3

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EddieWilsonIII

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddiewilsonofficial/

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