Using a Relentless Mindset to Build and Sell a Nine-Figure Empire

In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Anne Mahlum. Anne is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and speaker known for building impactful businesses. She founded Back on My Feet, a nonprofit helping individuals experiencing homelessness, and [solidcore], one of the nation’s fastest-growing fitness brands. Under her leadership, [solidcore] expanded to 120+ locations and raised $210M. After successfully exiting in 2023, Anne now invests, advises, and speaks on leadership, risk-taking, and living boldly. 

In this conversation, Anne shares how she bet on herself, overcame self-doubt, and made bold decisions to scale her business rapidly. She breaks down key lessons in leadership, risk-taking, and negotiating high-stakes deals while navigating challenges like lawsuits and the pandemic. Her story is a masterclass in resilience and strategic thinking, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to build and exit a successful company. 

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Chapters:
02:10 - Anne’s Early Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Back on My Feet
06:30 - Transitioning from Nonprofit to Launching [solidcore] with $175K
10:45 - Scaling [solidcore] Rapidly and the Subway Expansion Strategy
15:20 - The Art of Negotiation: How Anne Secured Favourable Lease Terms
20:50 - Breaking Away from Supplier Dependencies and Legal Battles
25:26 - Leading Through Crisis: How Anne Navigated [solidcore] Through The Pandemic
30:43 - Transitioning Out of the CEO Role and Preparing for Exit
35:16 - Selling [solidcore] for Nine Figures and Lessons in Wealth Management
41:32 - Strategic Decisions That Scaled [solidcore] to Over 120 Locations
46:27 - Why Entrepreneurs Need to Deeply Understand Their Numbers
51:47 - The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
56:55 - Life After Exit: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Business
1:03:46 - Shutting Down Ambition and Embracing a New Chapter
1:08:06 - Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy as a Female Founder
1:15:26 - The Truth About Relationships, Success, and Finding the Right Partner
1:28:08 - The Power of Momentum and How to Create It in Business and Life
1:35:17 - Anne’s Advice to Her Younger Self: Stay Curious and Keep Doing

Guest Links:
Website: annemahlum.com
Instagram @AnneMahlum
Tiktok @AnneMahlum_
Linkedin

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