#30 - Kiri Masters (Bobsled Marketing)

Carrie interviews Kiri Masters, the founder of Bobsled Marketing, a retail marketing agency focused on platforms like Amazon.   Kiri shares her journey from starting the business in 2015 with no background in retail or agencies to successfully growing it and selling to Acadia in 2021. Despite the financial success, Kiri discusses the emotional challenges she faced post-sale, akin to a 'postpartum depression' for founders.   They delve into her strategic growth driven by content marketing and the careful selection of an M&A advisor. Kiri candidly talks about the emotional vulnerability during the sale process, the transition to working within Acadia, and her eventual realization that she needed to return to her entrepreneurial roots. Now, Kiri is taking time off, exploring new opportunities, and sharing her journey through a substack, a podcast called 'Obsession', and coaching.      00:28 Welcome to the Exit Whisperer 00:39 Meet Kiri Masters: Founder of Bobsled Marketing 01:11 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Selling a Business 03:37 Kiri's Journey: From Banking to E-commerce 05:36 Scaling Bobsled: Content Marketing and Growth 09:18 The Exit Strategy: Planning and Execution 12:12 The Acquisition Process: Partnering with Acadia 15:29 Life After the Sale: Transition and Reflection 32:19 Coping with Post-Sale Emotions