Selling, Scaling & Starting Over | Ian Noble on Building Freedom Beyond the Family Business

Many entrepreneurs dream of selling their business but rarely think about what comes next. After years of hard work, they find themselves unsure how to replace the income, identity, and purpose their company once provided.

Without a plan, selling your business can feel less like a victory and more like an identity crisis. You go from being the decision-maker to asking, what now? The truth is, financial freedom isn’t automatic—it’s something you have to build intentionally.

In this episode, Jeff Kikel talks with Ian Noble, founder of RunSteady Investments, about how he sold his family business, diversified into real estate, and built a life centered around time freedom and family. Ian shares what he learned from selling a seven-figure business, how he helps other entrepreneurs invest passively in real estate, and why your post-sale plan matters just as much as your exit strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Ian bought his father’s business, went millions into debt—and made it thrive.

• The lessons he learned from selling his company and transitioning to passive income.

• How to build wealth outside your business through real estate and lending funds.

• The importance of running your business like you plan to sell it.

• Why most business owners are their own bottleneck.

• How to diversify cash flow without taking on another “job.”

• The tax advantages and lifestyle perks of passive real estate investing.

• Why mindset—not money—is the biggest barrier to true freedom.

About the Guest:

Ian is the founder of RunSteady Investments. He brings with him the experience of owning a small business in Austin, Texas consisting 14 locations and over 90 employees. After 14 years, he successfully exited the service industry business in 2023. Now, his sole focus is on helping people passively invest in real estate with mobile home parks and private lending funds. Ian brings 10+ years of experience as an active investor in the Austin real estate market and in Colorado. His portfolio includes residential and commercial properties. He also passively participates in various syndications as a Limited Partner in mobile home parks, self-storage facilities, private lending, and debt funds.

Ian earned his degree in economics from the University of Texas. He and his wife Lauren live in Austin, TX with their three children. In his free time, he enjoys running marathons and international travel.

Links:

Free Passive Investing in Real Estate Cheat Sheet: https://go.runsteadyinvestments.com/freedom-nation-podcast

Join My Passive Investor Mailing List: runsteadyinvestments.com/investor-club

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/iannoble1/

Instagram: @ian_invests

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? “Stick to what you know. If I had $500, I’d go buy a power washer, post a few free ads, and start washing driveways. Do something familiar with a quick return—get your hands dirty and get moving.”

2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Not partnering. I was selfish early on and wanted everything for myself. I missed opportunities and wisdom from other smart people. Now I seek out the brightest in the room and hire top talent—it keeps you in the game longer.”

3. What is a book that you would recommend? “Who Not How—it reframes your mindset from ‘How can I do this?’ to ‘Who can do this for me?’ And Buy Back Your Time—it helps you put a dollar value on your time and eliminate $10 tasks when you’re worth $500 an hour.”

4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “My virtual assistant in the Philippines. She’s incredible—handles admin better than I could and frees me up to focus on growth. Fractional and virtual talent is the secret weapon for small businesses.”

5. What is your definition of freedom? “The ability to wake up any day and set your own schedule. To work when you want, be with your kids, take vacations, or go for a run in the middle of the day. Freedom isn’t money—it’s time and choice.”

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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