Pearls On, Gloves Off #54 - Navigating Successful Exits: Joe Hyrkin on Leading Issuu to a Nine-Figure Sale
Welcome to another episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off with your host, Mary O’Carroll, Chief Operating Officer at Goodwin. In this episode, Mary sits down with Joe Hyrkin, Chief Executive Officer of Issuu, a leading digital publishing platform that’s transformed how content is shared and consumed online.
With over 30 years of experience in startup and growth technology leadership across Silicon Valley, New York, Asia, and Europe, Joe brings a wealth of knowledge from early-stage ventures to IPOs and successful exits. Under his 11-year leadership at Issuu, the company expanded its product offerings, increased revenue and profitability, forged partnerships with industry giants like Canva, Adobe, and HubSpot, and achieved a nine-figure exit in a challenging M&A landscape.
In this episode:
- Navigating a Successful Exit: How Joe led Issuu to a nine-figure sale during a slow year for M&A and capital markets.
- Flexibility and Resilience: The importance of adaptability in leadership amidst unpredictable market conditions.
- Strategic Positioning: Tips on positioning your company to maximize future options, including building relationships with potential acquirers and advisors.
- The Evolving Role of Legal Counsel: Discussing how lawyers are now integral business advisors, not just legal advisors.
- Working Directly with CEOs: Joe’s advice to lawyers on effectively collaborating with CEOs versus in-house counsel.
- Building the Right Team: The value of surrounding yourself with advisors and talent who deeply understand your business and industry.
- Human Connections in Business: The significance of authentic relationships and trust in driving business success.
If you enjoyed our conversation with Joe Hyrkin, be sure to subscribe to Pearls On, Gloves Off for more candid discussions with leaders shaping the legal and corporate landscape. We’d love to hear your thoughts—connect with us on social media and join the conversation!