Description

Christopher H. Volk is a veteran finance executive, financial modeler, and multi-time public company CEO with decades of experience designing and scaling real estate–based business models. He has co-founded and led several successful companies, including STORE Capital, a publicly traded REIT that specializes in financing operating company real estate, and attracted Berkshire Hathaway as a major shareholder. Over his career, Volk has taken three companies public and worked extensively with both public and private capital markets.

He is the author of The Value Equation, a book that breaks down how businesses create wealth using clear, practical concepts grounded in simple math rather than financial jargon. Drawing on real-world experience, Volk focuses on helping entrepreneurs and leaders understand the core drivers of returns, risk, and long-term value creation.

In this episode, Philip and Christopher Volk discuss: 

• Designing the business model, not just the idea
• Managing the core variables that drive returns
• Using other people’s money to amplify outcomes
• Optimizing for durable wealth and control

Lightbulb Moments:

• Most businesses begin as solutions, but wealth is created by how the solution is monetized. Google’s real breakthrough was AdWords, not search itself. A strong product matters, but the revenue engine determines scale and value.
• Business returns can be understood through a small set of controllable variables. Actively managing sales, margins, investment, financing, and maintenance creates a clear dashboard. Wealth creation becomes intentional when these levers are designed, not left to chance.
• Debt, leases, and structured capital are tools, not just risks. Sophisticated buyers often unlock value by using OPM more efficiently than founders expect. Maintenance capex and “one-time” costs should be treated as recurring realities.
• The goal is not maximum return at all costs, but strong returns with scalability and margin for error. You don’t need a unicorn to reach the top 1%; a well-run model over time is enough. Entrepreneurs who take ownership of systems, policy risk, and outcomes make things happen.

“You either make things happen, or things will happen to you.” - Christopher Volk

Connect with Christopher Volk:

Website: https://www.christopherhvolk.com/ 

Connect with Philip: 

Website: https://www.fornarolaw.com/ 

Podcast Website: https://lbmpodcast.com/ 

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Podcast Production by Turnkey Podcast. Thinking of starting a podcast? Get more info at https://turnkeypodcast.com/or reach out to Doug Sandler directly at Doug@TurnkeyPodcast.com or call 410-340-6861. 

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