In this episode of the Nice Business Podcast, hosts Richard Train and Jim Bob Howard sit down with Jason Duncan, founder of the Exiter Club and author of Exit Without Exiting, for an honest conversation about leadership, burnout, and what it really takes to build a business that does not consume your life.

Jason challenges the idea that strong leadership requires fear or control and unpacks the critical difference between being nice and being kind. From holding boundaries and accountability to letting go of the “hero syndrome,” this episode explores why many entrepreneurs stay stuck in the weeds and how shifting from owner operator to owner investor can create both freedom and sustainable growth.

Topics Covered:

00:00 – Episode Snippet

01:15 – Welcoming our guest, The Real Jason Duncan

02:22 – Jason Duncan’s journey and the mission of the Exiter Club

03:56 – What “exit” really means for business owners

04:55 – The hidden cost of earn-outs and traditional exits

08:49 – Working in, on, and above the business

26:35 – Being nice doesn’t mean weakness

29:27 – Honest feedback vs. people-pleasing

34:36 – Being kind to yourself as a leader

36:15 – Connect with The Real Jason Duncan

About Our Guest:

Jason Duncan, known as The Real Jason Duncan, is America’s Exit Coach and the creator of the XOS™ Method, a proven framework that helps entrepreneurs build owner-independent businesses. He is the founder of The Exiter Club, a mastermind for seven-figure business owners who want their companies to run without constant involvement.

A TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Exit Without Exiting, and host of The Root of All Success podcast, Jason draws from his own experience of building a million-dollar company that depended heavily on him. Today, he helps entrepreneurs replace burnout with systems, increase business value, and reclaim their time without selling or walking away from what they built.

Connect with Jason Duncan:

• Web: https://www.therealjasonduncan.com/
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealjasonduncan/
• YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFHruC2UNG2jiLXHiOJxd7w
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealjasonduncan/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SsJoe5OXyErysuGmdtJnq?si=1502e61891f74f1c&nd=1&dlsi=eada0bfba69743a5

Connect with Richard Train:

• Web: https://www.richardltrainconsulting.biz
• FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578616461967
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-train-b39501349

Connect with Jim Bob Howard:

• Web: https://www.jimbobhoward.com
• X: https://x.com/jbhoward
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jbhoward
• YT: https://www.youtube.com/user/jimbobhoward
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbhoward