Finding the right acquirer involves turning them into a customer early on and building relationships.
Post-acquisition, managing expectations, assembling the right team, and unlocking synergies are crucial for success.
Deep dives
Starting Our Future from the dorm room
Michael and Simran discuss how they started Our Future as a podcast series and eventually pivoted into creating short form video content across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. They scaled their audience to millions of subscribers and also launched an agency service. Morning Brew, a brand aligned with their values and goals, acquired Our Future, allowing them to leverage Morning Brew's email newsletter and established audience for further growth and sustainability.
Finding the right acquirer and pitching the company
Michael and Simran share their insights on finding potential acquirers, whether it's a bigger competitor, a startup with fresh funds, or a strategic partner who can benefit from the value they offer. They emphasize the importance of turning the ideal acquirer into a customer or stakeholder early on, driving real value and building relationships. They also discuss the importance of pitching yourself and your company, establishing rapport with key decision-makers, and navigating the internal environment to ensure successful integration.
Post-acquisition challenges and opportunities
The founders reveal that selling a company is not always the finish line, and post-acquisition life comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. They highlight the need for managing expectations and recognizing that the deal may take longer than expected. They stress the importance of having the right team, including experienced professionals like lawyers and accountants, as well as trusted advisors and mentors. They also discuss the importance of recognizing limitations in your industry and exploring ways to unlock synergies, whether through content integration, scaling services, or expanding into new lines of business.
Episode 16: Michael Sikand (@michaelsikand) and Simran Sandhu (@_simmy_) share the story of how they started Our Future, the #1 source of business for GenZ. After building a massive following on TikTok and garnering millions of views on their short-form explainers, they were acquired by Morning Brew. But post-acquisition life only brought a new set of challenges. Learn about the considerations and consequences of selling your business from these young and talented entrepreneurs.
Timestamps:
(03:01): Intro
(09:58): Attracting investors
(13:55): Managing expectations
(17:32): Unlocking synergies with your new partner