The Exit Whisperer

By: Carrie Kerpen
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  • Summary

  • Women-owned businesses capture just 0.8% of the total exit value in the US. Carrie Kerpen is here to change that, through sharing the stories of women who have broken through and sold their businesses. Having sold her own business for 8-figures in 2021, Carrie knows what it takes to build a sellable brand. She also knows that the experience can be different for women than it is for men because she has personally interviewed hundreds of exited female founders. New Episode Every Tuesday!
    Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
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Economics Leadership
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Episodes
  • #27 - Helaine Knapp (CityRow)

    #27 - Helaine Knapp (CityRow)
    Jan 28 2025

    Helaine shares her compelling journey of founding CityRow, a boutique fitness company inspired by her own need for a low-impact yet intense workout.

    From her childhood struggles with weight to her professional endeavors in publishing and tech startups, Helaine intricately narrates her path to building CityRow. She discusses the challenges faced, including a debilitating injury that led her to discover rowing and the obstacles in finding real estate and funding. Despite raising over $20 million and expanding the business, the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard, causing substantial financial strain.

    Helaine opens up about the eventual decision to sell CityRow, the emotional turmoil of letting investors and team members down, and the relief of finding a suitable home for her concept. She also talks about her book, 'Making Waves,' which serves as a therapeutic recount of her entrepreneurial journey.

    Helaine's story offers a raw and real look into the high stakes of starting and running a business, and her resilience through it all.

    00:32 Helaine's Early Life and Career Beginnings

    01:45 Discovering SoulCycle and the Birth of City Row

    02:14 Overcoming Injury and Developing a New Fitness Concept

    03:39 Launching City Row and Early Challenges

    08:58 Fundraising and Expansion Efforts

    12:43 Navigating COVID-19 and Digital Transition

    18:45 The Struggles of Boutique Fitness

    20:22 COVID: A Year of Layoffs and Challenges

    21:45 The Final Hail Mary and M&A Process

    24:43 Navigating the Acquisition

    30:02 Reflecting on the Journey
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    38 mins
  • #26 - Courtney Gould Miller (Lumen)

    #26 - Courtney Gould Miller (Lumen)
    Jan 23 2025
    Carrie interviews Courtney Gould Miller, who successfully sold her family's marketing agency for a double-digit multiple. Courtney shares insights from her journey, which includes joining her family's business, implementing digital marketing strategies, and ultimately negotiating an impressive exit to private equity. Courtney also discusses the impact of family business dynamics, the grief of letting go, and her experience transitioning into a leadership role within the acquiring company. The conversation sheds light on valuing hidden assets, the pitfalls of earnouts, the emotional journey post-sale, and her passion for helping other family businesses thrive through her new podcast, Family Business Secrets. 00:29 Welcome to The Exit Whisperer 00:33 Meet Courtney Gould Miller 00:53 Family Business Beginnings 02:51 Growing Up in the Business 06:12 From Law to Marketing 08:33 Joining the Family Business 11:55 The Decision to Sell 16:14 Negotiating the Exit 24:25 Life After the Sale 26:50 The Emotional Journey of Selling 31:45 Courtney's Legacy and Future Plans 35:12 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Launch
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    36 mins
  • BONUS - Eric Tash / Elissa Kalver (WeGotThis.org)

    BONUS - Eric Tash / Elissa Kalver (WeGotThis.org)
    Jan 22 2025
    I was recently a guest on the Worthy for Thirty podcast with Eric Tash! We talked about my journey as an entrepreneur, how I'm helping other women entrepreneurs successfully sell their businesses, and how I'm trying to make a real difference in the world. I want to share one of Eric's conversations with Elissa Kalver, Founder & CEO, WeGotThis.org. WeGotThis.org is the first non-profit gift registry for cancer patients and their loved ones. Elissa's story is a fascinating exploration of strength, resilience, and the power of community. Elissa founded WeGotThis.org after her own diagnosis with stage IV metastatic breast cancer close to four years ago. She asked herself, 'how can I help anyone going through a similar journey?' Since its founding, WeGotThis.org has bootstrapped and raised $1MM for its mission. I suggest listening to this episode to learn how she's building a platform to support cancer thrivers and their loved ones while learning how you can make a difference in other people's lives too. Link to the full episode:https://open.spotify.com/episode/3LDPgLNcI7kbUbxZYMYhtY?si=TOiq0MneR0KwP_6wkXo0FQ
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    40 mins

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