Main Street Business vs. Real Estate Investing: Which Replaces Your 9–5 Income Faster?

Leaving Corporate America: How Brian Luebben Did It

Brian Luebben started in corporate sales, ranking in the top 10 of nearly 600 reps. Despite earning a strong income, he looked at the lives of leaders above him and realized he didn’t want the path they were on—endless meetings, limited freedom, and no time with family.

That realization, paired with a feeling of being “stuck in good enough,” drove him to act. He argues many Americans are in that same trap: good job, good income, but zero flexibility. And when the only income you rely on disappears, so does your sense of security.

Brian quit corporate life and began buying real estate, a house a year. But he soon discovered the math didn’t support quick financial freedom. At $200/month in profit per door, it would take 50 properties and over $2.5 million invested to reach $10,000 in monthly income.

Replace Your Salary Fast With Small Business Acquisition

He discovered a faster path: acquiring small businesses. With an SBA loan, you can buy a business with as little as 10% down and begin drawing a salary immediately.

Let’s say a business earns $500,000 a year in profit. With a 3–5x multiple, you might buy it for $1.5–$2.5 million. An SBA loan funds 90%, and you, or a backer, put in the rest. Now you’re the CEO, earning income and owning the upside.

Compared to 50 single-family rentals, that’s a quicker, more direct way to financial freedom.

Where Real Estate Still Fits

Real estate is still part of his strategy, but more for wealth building and tax advantages. His focus includes:

• Commercial properties (with operational upside)
• Hospitality and boutique hotels (experiential and high-margin)
• Markets where he has trusted partners

Real estate is the orchard that stores value. Small business is the cash cow that gets you there.

From Lone Wolf to Team Builder

Early on, most investors grind alone—driving for dollars, cold calling, analyzing deals solo. Brian encourages making the leap to team-based investing sooner.

Partnerships let you combine skills, mitigate risk, and scale faster. But they need structure:

• Detailed operating agreements
• Role clarity
• Buyout clauses
• Alignment of vision and goals

“You need a chest to poke and a throat to choke for every role,” Luebben says. Partnerships aren’t easy, but done right, they turn 1 + 1 into 10.

How He Structures Business Deals

Brian looks for businesses with $1M–$3M in revenue and $300K–$700K in seller discretionary earnings (SDE). He typically buys at 3–5x SDE using SBA financing.

His typical structure:

• 10% down (often from a backer)
• SBA loan for the rest
• Operator runs the business and draws salary

If he funds the down payment, he usually takes 12–19% equity, keeping his stake under 20% to ensure the operator has majority ownership and drive. Sometimes he structures the deal as debt; other times, as equity with profit share.

Real-World Deals in Action

Luebben has backed and participated in several deals across industries:

• Two franchise gyms in Nashville — Run by a husband-wife team, providing both income and family stability.
• Tourism company in Alaska — Run by a former sales director let go during paternity leave.
• Kitchen hood cleaning roll-up in Kansas City — Two companies merged, now generating $3M in revenue.
• Craft distillery — Hospitality meets small business ownership; Luebben is a minority equity investor.

Each deal follows the same playbook: back strong operators, provide capital or expertise, and scale.

Why He Bets on People Over Industries

Luebben’s strategy isn’t about chasing hot sectors; it’s about backing the right people.

He underwrites operators more than spreadsheets. Key qualities he looks for:

• Hunger
• Accountability
• Life motivation (e.g., new parents, laid-off professionals)
• Grit and follow-through

“Give me the people,” he says. “A great operator can fix almost anything. A bad one will ruin a perfect deal.”

Multiple Income Streams Are Today’s Safety Net

With mass layoffs, automation, and corporate restructuring, job security is no longer guaranteed.

Luebben has seen six-figure earners lose jobs overnight. That’s why he emphasizes building income outside of W-2 employment whether through small business or real estate.

Even a side hustle or minority investment can act as a buffer during uncertain times.

Lessons From 800+ Interviews With Millionaires

1. “Who, not how”

Proximity to the right people accelerates progress. Stop obsessing over tactics and start surrounding yourself with operators who are already doing what you want to do.

2. Design your own blueprint

Copying others blindly rarely works. Adapt successful frameworks, test them, and create a version that fits your life and strengths.

3. Close the identity gap

Behave like the person you want to become. From mindset to routine, act now as your future self would. Let time be the only difference between who you are and who you're becoming.

Brian hosts the Action Academy Podcast and has interviewed hundreds of 7- to 9-figure entrepreneurs. Core lessons repeat often:

1. “Who, not how” — Proximity to the right people accelerates progress.
2. Design your own blueprint — Don’t blindly copy others.
3. Close the identity gap — Start behaving like your future self now.

These mindset shifts, more than technical skills, are what separate average from extraordinary.

From Burnout to Systems and Leverage

Building Action Academy took Luebben two and a half years of relentless work. He followed a Hermozi mantra: “Don’t do your best. Do what’s required.”

Once the foundation was built, he flipped from action mode to leverage mode. He now:

• Delegates operations
• Focuses on sales and branding
• Travels to host and appear on high-impact podcasts

His motto: Delegate everything except genius.

Why He Now Says “No” More Than “Yes”

With deal flow at an all-time high, he now filters aggressively:

• Does this align with his main mission (Action Academy)?
• Is the operator exceptional?
• Does the deal actually pencil out?

If the answer isn’t “hell yes,” it’s a no.

Business vs Real Estate: What Actually Works Best?

Some real estate investors reached $10K–$12K/month via 15 rentals. Luebben hit similar cash flow through small businesses, faster.

Both paths work. Real estate builds long-term wealth. Small business provides quicker income and control. The key is to choose a lane and stay in it.

Watch the full conversation with Brian Luebben to hear real-life strategies, examples, and mindset shifts that didn't make it into the blog.

The “Plant Trees, Manage Orchards” Strategy

One of Brian’s mentors taught him this wealth-building model:

• Plant trees (start businesses or investments)
• Protect them until they grow
• Delegate management once they produce fruit
• Use seeds to plant more

He followed this exactly, building Action Academy first before branching into passive partnerships.

The Case for Taking Action

People get stuck analyzing paths instead of walking them. Luebben compares it to:

"Life isn’t a five-course dinner. It’s a food court. Try free samples until you find what you like."

In other words: Start somewhere. Adjust as you go. Waiting for the perfect plan only delays your success.

FAQ: Small Business vs Real Estate Investing

Q1: Is buying a small business more profitable than real estate?

A: Often, yes. Small businesses can deliver livable cash flow faster than rental properties, especially when acquired using SBA loans.

Q2: How do I finance a business if I don’t have the down payment?

Many investors use SBA loans requiring just 10% down. That 10% can come from a partner or capital backer in exchange for equity or profit share.

Q3: Can I do both real estate and small business investing?

Absolutely. Many blend both—using businesses for income and real estate for wealth building and tax strategies.

Q4: What makes a good business to buy?

Look for service-based companies with $1M–$3M in revenue and reliable profits. Stability, simplicity, and strong teams are key.

Q5: Why are corporate jobs becoming riskier?

Layoffs, automation, and offshoring make W-2 roles less secure. Employers cut costs fast during uncertainty, leaving high earners vulnerable.

Conclusion: Pick a Path and Stick With It

The conversation ends with a simple truth: There are many paths to wealth. The best one is the one you’ll actually follow.

Whether you choose real estate, small business, or both—commit, take action, and surround yourself with great people. Everything else becomes clear as you move forward.