Exit Paradox
Anastasia Koroleva
I'm Anastasia Koroleva, a 4x exited founder exploring life after selling a business with some of the most remarkable post-exit entrepreneurs in the world. Together, we rediscover purpose, redefine success, master investing, and build fulfilling lives and families.
Having survived a 9-digit exit, I dedicated a decade to researching the deepest challenges faced by entrepreneurs after a business sale. This podcast is the platform to share my and other exited founders' hard-earned wisdom with the world.
To join our community, please subscribe and share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you 🙏.
Having survived a 9-digit exit, I dedicated a decade to researching the deepest challenges faced by entrepreneurs after a business sale. This podcast is the platform to share my and other exited founders' hard-earned wisdom with the world.
To join our community, please subscribe and share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you 🙏.
Episodes
Mentioned books
5 snips
Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 48min
Michael Miller. Meditation: the Ultimate Post-Exit Medicine
Michael Miller, a Vedic meditation teacher and former business professional, shares his journey from corporate success to spiritual fulfillment. He discusses how meditation can enhance clarity and decision-making, drawing insights from notable figures like Jack Dorsey and Bill Gates. Listeners will discover the science behind meditation, its healing properties post-exit, and the importance of inner peace for personal growth. Michael also emphasizes the balance of introspection and engagement with the world, advocating for meditation as a transformative practice for entrepreneurs.
15 snips
Dec 3, 2024 • 57min
Sarah Douglass. Post-Wealth Search for Happiness
In this engaging discussion, Sarah Douglass, founder of Wise Owl Outfitters, shares her journey of intentional living after selling her successful e-commerce business. She opens up about the emotional void that followed her financial success and her struggle to resist the urge to find immediate productivity. Sarah emphasizes the importance of rediscovering her identity beyond entrepreneurship and explores the delicate balance of motherhood and ambition. Her insights on personal growth and the search for authentic fulfillment are both inspiring and relatable.
Nov 20, 2024 • 47min
Tim Schumacher. Sedo’s Exited Founder on Work-Life Balance
Tim Schumacher, the exited founder and former CEO of Sedo, shares insights on mastering work-life balance while growing a successful domain marketplace. He reflects on the importance of rest post-exit and his transition into climate-focused ventures. Tim discusses the bootstrapper mindset versus venture capital approaches, emphasizing sustainable growth. He also highlights his shift in motivation, moving from entrepreneurship to tackling pressing climate issues, all while managing personal identity and values shaped by his experiences.
34 snips
Nov 14, 2024 • 1h 30min
Rick Eigenbrod. “Post-Exit Death is Inevitable”
Rick Eigenbrod, a clinical psychologist and co-author of a pivotal Yale paper, dives into the transformative journey after business success. He discusses the 'death of who we used to be' that entrepreneurs face post-exit, emphasizing the need for acceptance in this painful evolution. Rick unveils his effective tools for self-discovery, addressing dopamine addiction and the emotional toll of letting go of former identities. He highlights the bittersweet nature of personal growth, balancing joy, frustration, and the importance of authentic connections.
Oct 31, 2024 • 1h 24min
Roy Rubin. Magento’s Exited Founder: Globetrotting and the Search for Purpose
Roy Rubin, the visionary founder of Magento, shares insights from his incredible journey after selling the e-commerce giant to eBay. Feeling suffocated in corporate life, he embarked on a 14-month globe-trotting adventure with his family to rediscover freedom and connection. He reflects on the challenges of transitioning from startup culture to corporate constraints and the emotional journey post-exit. Now focused on angel investing, he candidly discusses the struggle to find new purpose while balancing ambition and family life.
Oct 22, 2024 • 1h 8min
Brock Weatherup. Secrets of Successful Sequels
Brock Weatherup, an entrepreneur who sold Pet360.com for $160 million, shares his insights on success and resilience. Reflecting on his journey through three successful exits, he discusses the emotional challenges of transitioning from owner to employee after acquisitions. Following a life-changing MS diagnosis, Brock emphasizes the importance of strong relationships and living with purpose. He also highlights the power of mentorship and intentional living, showing how personal and professional aspirations intertwine, especially during tough times.
Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 20min
Scott Wolfe. After $500M Exit: “My Vision Is Forever Unfinished"
Scott Wolfe, founder of Levelset and author of a $500 million exit, shares his post-sale reflections on life, purpose, and creativity. He grapples with the emotional rollercoaster from pride to frustration after selling his business, highlighting the challenges of reclaiming identity. Wolfe compares entrepreneurship to art and discusses the bittersweetness of leaving behind a collaborative team. He also dives into the quest for fulfillment, the impact of entrepreneurial parenting, and the paradox of purpose in a new life chapter.
Oct 8, 2024 • 48min
Johnathan. 'Life Forced a New Purpose on Me'
Jonathan shares his path of transitioning from a successful company to a new purpose, driven by personal challenges within his family. He discusses the advantages of bootstrapping and leaving a business in stages, which made his emotional journey smoother. Through reflections on mental health, he emphasizes the importance of philanthropy and supporting future generations. Their dialogue also touches on financial literacy for youth, the value of relationships over wealth, and the joys of nurturing a startup akin to raising a child.
Sep 6, 2024 • 57min
Jason Kirby. From Exit to Ease: Letting Go of the Stress
Jason Kirby, a tech entrepreneur who scaled Generation Esports and founded Thunder, shares his transformative journey from high-stress startups to a fulfilling life. He reflects on the challenges faced during the sale of Liquid Sky to Walmart and the emotional turmoil that followed. Jason emphasizes the importance of curiosity and adaptability in business, and how those traits helped him pivot towards a meaningful venture. He also discusses balancing family life with professional aspirations, highlighting the need for personal fulfillment over mere business success.
Aug 30, 2024 • 1h 10min
Matthew Johnson. Prolific Exited Entrepreneur on Work-Life Balance
Matthew Johnson is a prolific exited entrepreneur known for transforming the healthcare software sector and leading TruConnect into a telecom powerhouse. In this conversation, he reveals his journey from finance to fulfilling entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance and family. Matthew shares insights on hiring and management challenges, navigating investment strategies, and raising entrepreneurial children. He also discusses his passion for charity work, illustrating how purpose-driven endeavors provide deeper fulfillment than mere profits.
