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

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.