Episode
How to Build, Exit, and Stay Married
- Podcast
- Exit Paradox
- Published
- Mar 26, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 4265
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.exitparadox.com/podcast/adam-rossi
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Summary
My guest today is Adam Rossi. He sold his company, Platinum Solutions, 14 years ago and walked away with life changing wealth. But what hit him first after his exit was regret. We talk about how he came to terms with his new reality, searched for his new purpose, and dealt with losing his found identity. My favorite part of Adam's story is that he built his company with his wife, Leila, and their marriage didn't just survive. Building and selling the business, it actually got stronger through it. We talk about what Adam would do differently now that he's had 14 years to reflect. Adam's story is fascinating and full of hard won wisdom. I'm so grateful he shared it. 00:00:00 – Introduction & Adam’s Exit Story 00:01:06 – Why Exited Founders Make Bad Investors 00:05:15 – From Angel Investing to Private Equity 00:09:00 – Why Most Second Companies Fail 00:10:15 – Lessons from a Failed Acquisition 00:12:07 – Buying vs. Building a Business 00:14:34 – Regret After Exit and Finding New Purpose 00:17:27 – Sacrifice, Purpose & The Next Big Thing 00:20:18 – Impact, Meaning & Philanthropy Struggles 00:23:44 – Coaching Entrepreneurs as a Calling 00:25:18 – Why He Hasn’t Jumped into a Big Mission Yet 00:27:00 – Kids, Family, and Timing the Next Move 00:29:00 – Angel Investing: Rise and Decline 00:31:06 – The Illusion of Control in Angel Investing 00:32:35 – Advice for New Angel Investors 00:34:45 – Lifestyle Balance Post-Exit 00:36:00 – The Grind Years: 20-Hour Days and Stress 00:38:00 – Building a Business with His Wife 00:41:30 – Division of Labor and Complementary Skills 00:43:00 – Conflict Resolution in a Husband-Wife Team 00:44:45 – Why They Didn't Start a Second Business Together 00:46:15 – Raising Entrepreneurial Kids with Wealth 00:50:45 – The Only Real Passive Inv…