Built to Sell, Then What? John Makarewicz on Exits, Burnout, and Starting Again with Purpose

You pour years into building a business and finally reach the dream exit… but what happens when the money hits your bank and nothing actually feels different? That’s exactly what happened to John Makarewicz. After scaling a real estate business to a private equity exit and leading a 9-figure team, he was left asking, “Now what?” The transition exposed deeper truths—about leadership, burnout, and why financial freedom doesn’t always equal fulfillment.

In this episode, John unpacks what truly makes a business sellable, how to build a team that thrives without you, and how he rediscovered passion through real estate investing. If you’re building with an exit in mind—or recovering from one—this conversation will shift your perspective on what success really looks like.

Key Takeaways:

• The Exit Myth: John explains why reaching a business exit doesn’t magically deliver happiness—and how to prepare emotionally, not just financially.

• Building a Team That Runs Without You: Learn the systems and hiring strategies John used to make himself replaceable and boost business valuation.

• Burnout After Success: Discover why John’s first post-exit experience led to depression—and how daily hiking and deep reflection guided his next move.

• Leadership Lessons from the Trenches: Why empathy, feedback loops, and hiring for culture are more important than flashy résumés.

• Investing in Impact: At Ferris Capital Partners, John is now focused on multifamily real estate, value-add investing, and creating great experiences for residents and investors alike.

About the Guest:

John Makarewicz is a seasoned entrepreneur, real estate investor, and Managing Partner at Faris Capital Partners, where he specializes in multifamily acquisitions, capital raising, and investor relations. Having grown up in Atlanta and lived across the United States, John’s diverse background has shaped his adaptable, people-first approach to business. His leadership style is heavily influenced by the teachings of coaching legends like John Wooden and Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K), reflecting his personal mantra: “How you do one thing is how you do everything.” A passionate builder of businesses, John’s expertise extends well beyond deal-making. He previously scaled a company to a nine-figure private equity exit, focusing on strong culture, operational excellence, and outstanding client experience. Now, through Faris Capital Partners, he guides investors toward lucrative real estate opportunities while maintaining a relentless commitment to transparency and integrity.

Links:

https://www.fariscapitalpartners.com/

linkedin.com/in/john-makarewicz-23589a37

Fast Five Questions:

1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Launch a webinar series on social media offering real estate education, followed by direct outreach to his personal network to secure listings.”

2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Failing to inspect what he expected—assuming team members had the same motivation and missing red flags that nearly cost him his leadership role.”

3. What is a book that you would recommend? “John Wooden on Leadership and Vivid Vision”

4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Screen Time – For eliminating distractions and protecting focus and ChatGPT – For deal analysis, ideation, and dramatically reducing research hours.”

5. What is your definition of freedom? “The ability to make decisions without financial pressure—no debt, no boss, and the option to walk away if something doesn’t align with your values.”

About Jeff:

Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation

Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/

Connect with Jeff:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel

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

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