Cathryn Lavery, founder of BestSelf Co. and former architect, shares her inspiring journey of transforming a personal project into a multi-million-dollar e-commerce business. She reveals how managing her ADHD fueled her entrepreneurial spirit and the importance of analog tools in a digital age. Cathryn discusses the rollercoaster of selling her company to private equity and buying it back, offering insights on customer loyalty and team dynamics. She also explores how AI can streamline operations and enhance business efficiency.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
ADHD Inspired Successful Product
Cathryn Lavery turned her ADHD challenges into a business by creating physical productivity tools.
Her first product was an analog goal-oriented journal inspired by her personal struggles with organization and focus.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Sold Then Bought Business Back
Cathryn sold her $8.2 million revenue business in 2022 to a private equity firm.
They mismanaged it, causing revenue to drop dramatically and layoffs, prompting Cathryn to buy it back cheaply.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Lean Team with AI Support
Run your business leaner and smarter by leveraging AI tools to do admin tasks.
Avoid overstaffing by empowering a small team with modern technology to boost productivity and morale.
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Join me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I sit down with Cathryn Lavery (https://x.com/cathrynlavery), founder of BestSelf Co. (https://bestself.co), to talk about her incredible journey from architect to e-commerce entrepreneur. Cathryn built a multi-million-dollar business by creating tools that help people become the best versions of themselves. What started as a personal project to manage her ADHD grew into a thriving company with $8.2 million in revenue.
In this episode, we also talk about how Cathryn turned her design background into a successful e-commerce business and why she believes in the power of analog tools in a digital world. We also explore her experience selling her company to private equity, buying it back, and the lessons learned from that rollercoaster experience. Questions this Episode Answers:
How did managing her ADHDinspire Cathryn to create BestSelf Co. and grow it into a thriving company?
Why does Cathryn believe in the power of analog tools in a digital world?
What are the challenges and rewards of selling a business and buying it back?
How can entrepreneurs scale their business by focusing on customer success and team building?
How can AI and technology help streamline operations and improve business efficiency?
___________________________ Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback. Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or send me an email at Nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts. ___________________________
02:03 Meet Cathryn Lavery: From Architect to Entrepreneur 02:50 Sponsor Message: Win a $100 Amazon Gift Card 03:32 Cathryn's Business Journey 06:54 Challenges and Changes Post-Sale 09:51 Reacquiring the Business 14:01 Running the Business Differently 16:40 Living with ADHD 17:49 ADHD Life Hacks and Systems 18:35 Rebuilding the Company: Lessons Learned 20:44 Customer Acquisition Strategies 22:40 Product Offerings and Sales Channels 24:38 Challenges with Amazon 27:04 AI in Business and Healthcare 35:00 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 37:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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