
The Exit Plan Podcast
Exit Plan is a podcast for business owners and those who want to be business owners. I’m always in search of the lesser known stories of entrepreneurship. In the Exit Plan podcast, you’ll hear stories from start up to sale, and hear from the professionals who helped business owners achieve their exit. Hosted by me, author and private equity manager Dana Robinson, along with my co-hosts and guests, you’ll hear real stories, tips, and tools that will help you plan for the exit you want, whether you are still working a day job or already running a business.
From their studio in sunny San Diego, the Opt Out Life welcomes guests who are solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, travelers, and creatives, who are proof that you can choose lifestyle over money . . . But still make money, too.
Each episode of the Opt Out Life podcast combines the incredible entrepreneurial stories of our friends, with an instructional approach to applying the tactics people are using right now to earn passive income and travel the world. Our guests live non-traditional lives, without job titles, and often without jobs at all. They wear t-shirts and have no boss. They spend time doing what they want, traveling and earning substantial income in creative ways.
We invite you to join the ranks of people who live the Opt Out Life.
Latest episodes

Mar 19, 2024 • 1h 10min
Building Relationships in Business (ft. Eric Johnson)
Eric Johnson, a seasoned entrepreneur with a knack for building relationships, shifted from the hospitality industry to real estate, diving into sales' human side. As the CEO of various software platforms and a principal at Modus Coaching and Consulting, he dedicates his expertise to guiding entrepreneurs toward success through genuine connections and trust. His own venture into network marketing led to the creation of Teamsy, a ground-breaking platform devised to bridge the technology gap in the network marketing industry. Through years of diverse experience, Eric has honed a philosophy that champions the power of relationships in driving business growth, ensuring that each interaction is anchored in authenticity and service. I chat with him about networking and building successful relationships in the business world. "Just connect with people as a human being. And through those connections, people respond to just a human connection, like, how is your Christmas? How are things going with your kids? Just talking to people? What happens is as you create conversations and you're just a normal person, having conversations gives you a chance to get to know people, gives you lots of opportunities to help people, connect them to people, you know, refer things to them, give them your opinion on, you know, that's going to create opportunities to talk about real estate in a natural way." Topics discussed in this episode: 1. Importance of relationship selling 2. Value of customer referrals 3. Opportunities in real estate 4. Building business systems 5. Networking and personal connections 6. Entrepreneurship via employment skills 7. Trust and quality relationships — Follow Eric at LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericphafflejohnson/ — Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/ Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com — If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you! *Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you. Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

Mar 11, 2024 • 53min
Work/Life Balance (ft. Kayla Jimenez)
When Kayla Jimenez first joined the IP and litigation sphere, she uncovered a fundamental truth that many professionals encounter: the allure of a prestigious job title isn't always what it seems. While her instincts cautioned her about the company's environment, it was this challenging position that planted the entrepreneurial seeds she would later cultivate. Kayla's transition from associate to partner and eventually to the owner of the practice illustrates a powerful narrative—prioritizing lifestyle choices without sacrificing one's career. Kayla and I unpacked strategies for small-to-medium business growth, emphasizing on scaling, creating shared services, and considering significant liquidity events. Our discussion also highlighted the BRR method in real estate investment—a wealth-building strategy that can complement entrepreneurial ventures, offering a multifaceted approach to financial freedom. "You don't get rich working a nine-to-five. This is the huge American lie that they tell all the kids, get a good job, go get your doctorate, go get your Ph.D., go become a doctor. Like, work at the work nine to five, or work your salaried position." Topics discussed in this episode: Leveraging Jobs Beyond Paychecks Entrepreneurship and Intellectual Property Social Media's Entrepreneurial Impact Scaling and Exiting Businesses Real Estate Investment Strategies Career Transitions in Law Innovation Through Client Experiences — Follow Kayla at LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-jimenez-b7772939/ — Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/ Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com — If the information in these conversations and interviews have helped you in your business journey, please subscribe to the show, and leave me an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help me continue to deliver great, helpful content, but it will also help me reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you! *Some of these links might be affiliate links. Thank you in advance if you choose to work with one of the companies I believe in. The money I make from your purchase helps to keep the content you enjoy, and rely on to grow your own business, free to you. Thanks for tuning into this episode of Exit Plan!

12 snips
Mar 4, 2024 • 58min
Pat Flynn - Benefits of Starting Small
Resilient entrepreneur Pat Flynn shares his journey from job loss to online business success, emphasizing the benefits of starting small, community learning, and embracing failure as lessons. He discusses the value of feedback, validating business ideas, and finding opportunities in challenging times.

4 snips
Feb 27, 2024 • 55min
Cory Verner - The Business of Selling
Entrepreneur Cory shares his journey in audiobook industry, from cassette tapes to innovations. Topics include sustainable funding, niche focus, personal networks for investment, and impacts of early business exits. Also, the challenges and growth in entrepreneurship, leveraging investments from friends and family, and the importance of flexible and adaptable business strategies.

9 snips
Feb 27, 2024 • 1h 8min
Jeff Goins- Started a Blog and a New Life
In this podcast, Jeff Goins shares his journey from starting a blog to building a successful career as a writer and entrepreneur. He discusses topics like passive income, online courses, writing success, and the importance of mentorship. Jeff also emphasizes the value of scaling small business success and leveraging automated income streams for financial freedom.

Feb 27, 2024 • 34min
Nate and Dana Are Back in Action
Nate and Dana discuss transitioning back to podcasting post-COVID, changing from Opt Out Life to Exit Plan, and lessons learned during the pandemic. They talk about work-life balance, challenges in private equity, benefits of remote work, lifestyle over business growth, and leveraging employment for entrepreneurial success.

Feb 27, 2024 • 3min
Trailer
I’m starting a whole new series of podcasts focusing on how entrepreneurs transitioned away from being employees to owning their time. I can’t wait to share these journeys with you. — Follow Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabrobinson/ Follow Dana on Instagram: @danarobinsonofficial Subscribe to Dana’s weekly newsletter at danarobinson.com —

Jan 14, 2021 • 54min
Merrily Orsini - A Step Ahead
Our guest today is Merrily Orsini. Merrily founded one of the first private pay home care businesses in the United States, back in 1981, which she managed to grow successfully to more than 200 employees. She has been in the home caregiving business ever since and is now the President and CEO of CoreCubed, where she pioneered the work-from-home business model, many years before it became the norm. How did she do it? Merrily tells us about her business journey in caregiving, her efforts into incorporating technology into her businesses, and how her perseverance has led to her success. More at optoutlife.com/podcast/merrily-orsini/

Jan 7, 2021 • 52min
Joe Bernstein - When you have a calling, it will keep calling you
Joe Bernstein, founder of Drop the Armor Wellness, is on a mission to help other men feel the love and freedom that he learned to cultivate when his life fell apart several years ago. Back in 2013, Joe decided to go through a series of lifestyle changes to take back control of his life. After going through a bad divorce and losing 160 lbs, he left a successful career in retail management to build a mission-focused business and help other men create the life they desire. Today, as a men’s coach and writer, Joe helps successful men live a better, more fulfilling life. Listen along as he helps us understand the process of transformation, and how to create a pathway to overcome our challenges. More at optoutlife.com/podcast/joe-bernstein/

Dec 31, 2020 • 28min
Dana Solo NYE 2020
2020, a year unlike any other, is finally coming to an end. As we welcome in 2021, it's a great time to look back and reflect on this year as a whole - with all of its ups and downs. In this solo episode, Dana walks us through a fun exercise to reflect on our year and project new ideas to get ready for a more productive 2021. We wish you a happy new year and as always, stay safe and healthy out there! More at optoutlife.com/podcast/dana-solo-nye-2020/