Vic Keller | Sold 9 Companies Including 3 to Berkshire Hathaway on Building Durable Businesses, Partnerships, and Wealth

Vic Keller | Sold 9 Companies Including 3 to Berkshire Hathaway on Building Durable Businesses, Partnerships, and Wealth

Author: The School of Hard Knocks January 30, 2026 Duration: 59:20

Vic Keller founded 17 companies and exited 9 of them, including three sales to Berkshire Hathaway.

He breaks down how growing up blue collar shaped his edge, why getting punched in the mouth early almost killed his first business, and how rebuilding instead of quitting changed everything.

We also cover what real buyers look for, why cheap deals are not worth the pain, how to deleverage the founder, and the hidden cost of exits when selling the business means losing relationships too.

This episode is a blueprint for building companies that survive bad weather and outlast the founder.


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There's a certain kind of wisdom you can't get from a textbook, forged instead in the unpredictable fires of real-world experience. The School of Hard Knocks Podcast is built on that principle, offering a front-row seat to unfiltered conversations with some of the most accomplished entrepreneurs and visionary creators from across the globe. Each episode moves beyond polished success stories to dig into the gritty, often unspoken challenges these individuals faced on their journeys. You'll hear about the pivotal failures that became turning points, the difficult decisions made under pressure, and the personal philosophies that guide them through uncertainty. This isn't about theoretical business models; it's a deep dive into the resilience, adaptability, and raw determination required to build something meaningful. Brought to you by The School of Hard Knocks, this podcast serves as an ongoing masterclass in navigating the complexities of modern creation and enterprise. Tune in for authentic dialogues that reveal the human effort behind the headlines, providing not just inspiration but tangible insights you can apply to your own path.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 55

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