This episode is such a special one because I am interviewing not only a guy who started business at 16 who has built and sold 5 businesses, including the super successful Dance Studio Owners Association for many millions, but also my best friend.
Clint Salter is such a wonderful and unique human who thinks deeply and cares deeply about contribution and positive impact in the world. I get to talk to him every day so I'm pretty excited to be able to ask him the questions that I know will be helpful to share with so many!
We're talking entrepreneurial dreams, the key to success, whether retirement is all it's cracked up to be, and the meaning of life! :)
Enjoy!
Resources and mentions:
Clint’s Entrepreneurial Start
Began his first business (dance studio) at just 16, motivated more by creativity and curiosity than a desire to be an “entrepreneur.”
Emphasizes learning through experimentation, not following the traditional blueprint.
Scaling & Selling DSOA
The evolution from solopreneur to building a faculty of coaches and a leadership team to make the business less reliant on him personally—a critical step in making it sellable.
Transparent account of the emotional and practical realities of the selling process: excitement, responsibility, grief, and the mental toll when exiting something meaningful.
The unique challenges of selling a business built on personal brand, and how IP, systems, and cultivating other leaders made the difference.
Post-Exit Life & Purpose
Adjusting to life after a major exit: the restlessness, the joy of multiple two-hour walks daily, and the challenge of letting go of the hustle mentality.
Reflections on achievements, what “having made it” means, and a surprising sense of contentment in a more restful, experimental year.
Ownership of embracing randomness: testing new ventures, from doggy daycares to sandwich shops—always seeking that spark of true inspiration.
Creativity & the Novel “Eight Wishes”
Clint’s adventure into fiction writing, the process and discipline behind it, and choosing to publish under a pen name (Cass Caldercoy).
Contrasts between creative satisfaction and business-driven projects—plus, the minimalistic launch approach, doing it for the joy rather than league tables and metrics.
Wellness, Nervous System, and Redefining Success
How prioritizing rest, health, and time away from “noise” (social media, business podcasts) created profound shifts.
Honest discussion about money—how it amplifies life, but isn’t the end goal; and the necessity (for most) of the hustle phase to achieve financial freedom.
The psychological transition from pushing to contentment, and how environment and peer group impact our definition of success.
Legacy, Philosophies, and Looking Ahead
Thoughts on legacy (and why it’s not top-of-mind, especially for those without children).
The importance of living well now, not just building for the future.
A love letter to his younger self: “You’ll be okay.”
This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about the hustle or the exit—it’s about finding fulfillment, creativity, and peace in the seasons that follow. Clint’s story shows us that reinvention is always possible, that rest is just as vital as ambition, and that joy often comes from the unexpected. Whether you’re in the thick of building your business or navigating what comes next, this conversation will leave you inspired to define success on your own terms—and to trust that, in the end, you’ll be okay too.
Where to find Clint Salter:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintsalter/
Where to find Tina:
Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder
