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
Jul 22, 2024 • 1h 9min
CK Kim. Recovering from a $510M Exit.
CK Kim, a serial tech entrepreneur with a $510M exit under his belt, shares insights from his transformative year-long sabbatical. He reflects on the vital role of soul searching in recovery and finding true happiness post-exit. CK discusses the emotional impact of his success on his young family and emphasizes the power of supporting upcoming startup founders. He explores balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood while advocating for mission-driven leadership and meaningful personal connections.
Jun 13, 2024 • 50min
Preston Rutherford: Missed Exit
Entrepreneur Preston Rutherford reflects on his 9-figure exit, missed 10-digit IPO, and personal growth journey. Topics include regret, communication, compounding experiences, self-worth, burnout recovery, redefining success, and balancing work and personal life.
Jun 6, 2024 • 49min
Gil Eyal: How Being a People Person Made Me Successful
Entrepreneur Gil Eyal shares insights on selling his software business, building a personal brand, and transitioning into an investor role. Topics include influence marketing, dealing with celebrities, balancing personal life post-exit, challenges of being an investor, and prospects for children becoming entrepreneurs.
May 30, 2024 • 50min
Craig Follett: Art Is My Post-Exit Purpose & Business
Entrepreneur Craig Follett shares his journey from building universe.com to creating peggy.com, a secure art marketplace. He discusses finding post-exit purpose through making art affordable, motivations for starting a business, and separating personal identity from business. The podcast covers reflections on wealth, creativity, and the societal impact of art as an appreciating asset and driver of change.
May 23, 2024 • 1h 13min
Dave Hersh: Post-Exit Rebirth: Finding Self, Sovereignty, and Inexhaustible Fuel Sources
Dave Hersh, who sold his company through an IPO 13 years ago, shares his journey of self-discovery and fulfillment post-exit. He discusses the challenges of scaling up, dealing with identity crisis, and the long process of reinvention. Hersh emphasizes the importance of inner work, transformation, and finding clarity in navigating the liminal space between old and new self.
May 9, 2024 • 1h 21min
Mike Pollack: My Post-Exit Identity: Student of Life
Mike Pollack, a serial entrepreneur who sold his third business, shares insights on finding happiness post-exit. Topics include defining success beyond business, balancing parenthood with entrepreneurship, and the journey from chasing status to chasing happiness.
76 snips
May 2, 2024 • 1h 12min
$100M-Net-Worth Retired Founder: Chasing Energy Instead of Money
An anonymous retired founder discusses overcoming money addiction and focusing on energy instead of wealth post-exit. They reflect on the struggles in retirement, forming an anonymous support group, balancing providing for children, and finding fulfillment in meaningful activities. The episode delves into the concept of 'enough' money, emotional reflections on selling a business, and navigating post-retirement fulfillment.
Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 8min
Laurent Vernhes: Quality-Obsessed Exited Founder: "Business is a Form of Art"
Laurent Vernhes, a seasoned entrepreneur, built the luxury travel brand Tablet Hotels before pivoting to the wine industry. He discusses the art of creating luxury brands and the emotional bonds that fuel business success. With a focus on quality and authenticity, Laurent shares insights on balancing growth while preserving artistic integrity. He reflects on the transformative nature of financial success and emphasizes the importance of personal intent in entrepreneurial endeavors, revealing how experiences shape one’s creative journey.
Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 25min
Keith Smith: Exited Founder + Single Dad Talks About Mental Health, Purpose & Creator Economy
Keith Smith, an exited founder and single dad, discusses mental health, purpose, and the creator economy. He shares insights on balancing business and parenthood, self-reflection post-exit, addressing mental health stigma among entrepreneurs, and transitioning from wealth to personal growth. Keith also talks about the importance of therapy, self-discovery, and empowering creators with AI tools.
Apr 4, 2024 • 50min
Connor Tomkies: Aftermath of an Exit: Healing, Reflecting, and Progressing Forward
Connor Tomkies, founder of SupportNinja, shares his exit journey and preference for buying businesses. Topics include selling a company, lessons learned, Operator Equity, EOS system, managing creative impulse, dealing with sudden wealth, and reflections on ego and success.
