$32M Exit: Left the U.S., Built a $15K/Month Life in Japan

Podcast : Moneywise (LS 54 · TOP 0.5% what is this? ) Episode : $32M Exit: Left the U.S., Built a $15K/Month Life in Japan Pub date : 2025-04-01 Get Podcast Transcript → powered by Listen411 - fast audio-to-text and summarization If you're a founder doing at least $3M/year in sales, check out Hampton: https://www.joinhampton.com/. Eran Galperin bootstrapped a niche SaaS for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms, sold it for $32.5 million, moved to Japan, and is now quietly living the FIRE dream — with a few luxury upgrades. Here’s what we talk about: - How Eran went from $15K in the bank to a $32M exit (with 90% equity!) - Why he ignored VCs and chose to bootstrap — and how it paid off years later - The long, slow ramp: 4 years to $12K MRR, 8 years to $3M ARR - The FIRE mindset that guided his financial decisions from day one - How and why he moved to Japan — including taxes, cost of living, and lifestyle - What it actually cost to move abroad and build a luxury home in Tokyo - His full post-exit portfolio breakdown (hint: most of it’s in index funds) - What it’s like working after the exit — and why he’s still showing up - The one splurge that changed his mindset about spending - The emotional reality of selling your company — and why it felt more like relief than celebration - Why he's mentoring early-stage founders and learning real estate development — just for fun Cool Links: Hampton https://www.joinhampton.com/ Lower Street https://www.lowerstreet.co/ FIRE Subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Fire/?rdt=37862 fatFIRE Subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/fatFIRE/ Chapters: (00:00) The $32 Million Exit (01:48) Why FIRE (08:31) The Slow SaaS Ramp of Death (12:49) The Big Move to Japan (14:32) Financial Optimization and the Exit Strategy (19:05) The Final Deal: $32.5 Million Sale (23:25) Financial Breakdown and Initial Investments (26:03) Post-Exit Financial Planning (28:19) Lifestyle Changes and Spending Habits (33:49) Building a Dream Home in Tokyo (38:52) Continued Work and New Ventures (42:30) Final Thoughts and Future Plans This podcast is a ridiculous concept: high-net-worth people reveal their personal finances. Inspired by real conversations happening in the Hampton community. Harry Morton Founder of Lower Street, a podcast production company helping brands launch and grow top-tier podcasts. Co-parents a cow named Eliza. The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Hampton, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.