#239: Running 5 Companies Generating $12M While Raising 5 Kids, “Skydive Barfing”, & Leveraging Your Spirituality To Make Decisions w/ Amy Walker

Beyond Curious ™

5 Companies… $12M in sales…. Being married to her best friend… and having 5 boys.

Is there really much more I need to say?

Seriously, I’m so excited to introduce you to today’s guest, Amy Walker.

In today’s episode, you’ll learn:

• How Amy shifted from running one company that did about $600,000 in sales to running five companies that are collectively generating about 12 million annually in ONE year
• How on earth Amy can do this while also raising 5 boys
• How Amy thinks about acquiring businesses with no money down
• Why Amy believes God is her business partner, and how she leverages her spirituality to inform her decision making
• How Amy thinks about jumping into the unknown, and what that has to do with barfing on a guy with a man bun

If you’re someone who is committed to living a full and meaningful life relentlessly pursuing what success means to you… this is a fun one!

Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Amy Walker

Brandon welcomes listeners and previews Amy Walker’s incredible journey, including how she scaled from one company to five generating $12M annually, all while raising five boys. He introduces Amy as a business strategist, speaker, and founder of The Exit School.

00:33 - Amy’s skydive story that ended in mid-air barf

Amy kicks things off with a humorous tale of skydiving that ended in her vomiting on her tandem partner, setting the stage for a candid and adventurous conversation.

01:20 - Three key takeaways to listen for in this episode

Brandon outlines what listeners should pay attention to: Amy’s business expansion, how she manages seven businesses and five kids, and how her faith guides her entrepreneurial journey.

03:39 - Starting a business six weeks before giving birth

Amy recounts launching Amy Walker Consulting during her third trimester with her fifth child. She explains being inspired to leap, despite enjoying a stable role making $15K–$18K/month.

08:03 - Creating her first business plan in a basement with a stranger (now her partner)

Amy describes the pivotal conversation with John Rogers, where they mapped out her new consulting business from scratch at a retreat, leading to $114K in revenue in the first year.

10:59 - Learning to jump into the unknown and trust divine timing

Amy uses cliff jumping as a metaphor for entrepreneurship, reflecting on when she jumped too soon or unprepared and the value of learning through bruises (literally and figuratively).

17:00 - How Amy co-works with God through prayer journaling

Amy shares her powerful process of business partnership with God, including prayer journaling as a tool to move from confusion to clarity. She explains how this spiritual practice influences decisions across business and family.

25:21 - The skydiving analogy returns: scaling to $12M across five businesses

Amy breaks down her year of acquiring companies, from the thrill of the deal to the inevitable moment of realizing the challenges and needing to recalibrate. She likens it to puking mid-air and finding calm afterward.

33:48 - The Exit School and helping others build wealth through acquisition

Brandon prompts Amy to talk about her business education company and how she teaches people—especially unlikely entrepreneurs—to buy and run successful businesses.

34:35 - Marie’s Crumbl Cookie acquisition story: From 0 to $6M exit in 1 year

Amy shares the inspiring journey of Marie, who acquired underperforming Crumbl Cookie franchises with no money down and increased their value through operational improvements.

39:25 - No money down explained: What it really means and the roles in a deal

Amy debunks myths about “no money down” acquisitions and explains the roles of the operator, strategist, dealmaker, and funder. She stresses the importance of relentlessness and clarity on what role you play.

43:44 - Why now is the time for acquisitions: $10T in wealth transfer underway

Amy explains the "silver tsunami" and the economic opportunity of buying profitable, cash-flowing businesses from retiring baby boomers—and how to evaluate deals based on performance, not just potential.

51:54 - Amy’s take on being a mother and a mogul (and her hate for “mompreneur”)

Brandon prompts Amy’s passionate rant about the term “mompreneur.” She reflects on balancing family and business, seeking support instead of permission, and rejecting the idea of needing to be superwoman.

57:57 - Final thoughts on motherhood, marriage, and entrepreneurship

Amy shares the lessons she and her husband have learned about staying aligned in values, even when they differ in opinions, and supporting each other through life and business’s ups and downs.

Links & Resources:

• Amy Walker’s YouTube Channel: Amy Exits – Real business case studies and acquisition advice
• Amy Walker’s Instagram Profile
• The Exit School – Amy’s program teaching entrepreneurs how to buy and sell businesses
• Beyond Curious Podcast: Episode #198 with John Ratliff – Additional episode on business acquisitions