You can have the perfect strategy, but if you screw up the timing, or your ego gets in the way, you’ll blow the entire thing!

In this highlights episode of Special Ops, Emma brings together some of the sharpest founder insights on liquidity, decision-making, and the dangerous mindset shifts that sabotage scale. From chasing an inflated valuation to deploying cash too early, this conversation unpacks what happens after the exit or when you miss the window entirely.

You’ll hear real talk on M&A strategy, wealth psychology, and why $3–5M is the only money you really need. Plus, the behavioral patterns that creep in once you feel unstoppable and how to avoid becoming your own liability.

Remember to go sign up to our Visionary Vault—where you can download all the tools and books, and hacks that will help you scale your business. All for free! https://specialopspodcast.com/visionary-vault 

(0:00) The $65M temptation vs. cashing out too late

(1:48) “Forever money”: how $3–5M can buy peace, not jets

(3:22) Why fearlessness after exit makes you sharper—but also dangerous

(5:09) The biggest mistake: deploying capital before you’re ready

(6:44) Non-renewable money vs. renewable wealth: the latte test

(8:15) Liquidity as leverage: the day a $10M opportunity needed $1M—fast

(9:58) Founder ego, overconfidence, and the psychological blind spot

(11:30) Functional chaos: the wealthy founder with a broken internal world

(13:00) Market research through empathy: Nick’s method acting approach

(14:45) Messaging transformation: how inside-out clarity drove real scale

Get in Touch with Emma Rainville: 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialopspodcast   

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emma_rainville512/  

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