From Brazil to Business Freedom | Rafael Pinho on Building Companies That Run Without You

Too many business owners are trapped inside their own companies. They’ve built successful operations, but instead of owning a business, they’ve just created a stressful job — one they can’t step away from without everything falling apart.

Without an exit plan or systems in place, owners risk burnout, financial loss, and missed opportunities. Many believe their business is worth millions — but when it depends on them for everything, that value disappears overnight.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel sits down with Rafael Pinho, co-founder of TD Pine Advisors and a former CFO turned entrepreneur, to talk about exit strategy planning and building transferable business value. Rafael shares his journey from Brazil to Texas, from corporate finance to entrepreneurship, and how he now helps business owners turn “jobs” into true assets that can run — and sell — without them.

Key Takeaways:

• Why most small businesses aren’t truly sellable — and how to fix that.

• The difference between business valuation and transferable value.

• How to create systems so your business can run without you.

• The biggest mistakes owners make when trying to sell.

• How family succession plans can destroy business value if ignored.

• The mindset shift needed to go from employee → business owner → asset owner.

• Why business owners must “work on their business, not in it.”

• How TD Pine Advisors helps entrepreneurs scale and prepare for exit.

• The power of budgeting and financial discipline for freedom.

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? “You move to America at 46 with nothing. You start a knowledge business — just like we did. All you need is a laptop, your brain, and your network. It’s about helping business owners become ‘medium-aires,’ not just making billionaires richer.”

2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “I’ll borrow my partner Brandon’s: growing a family business 4x, but losing it due to poor succession planning. That destroys value — and it’s my mission to make sure that never happens again.”

3. What is a book that you would recommend? “The Bible. It’s the ultimate business manual. Also: How to Think Like a Roman Emperor for mindset, Getting to Yes for negotiation, and Grit by Angela Duckworth for perseverance.”

4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “ChatGPT — it’s been our Employee of the Month for 13 months straight. It saves hours of work if you feed it right.”

5. What is your definition of freedom? “Having options. Owning your time. Freedom comes with stewardship — using your time wisely and giving back to your community.”

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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