#37 - Anne Mahlum (SolidCore)

Anne Mahlum, the founder of SolidCore, shares her journey from being a waitress in North Dakota to negotiating a major company sale.   Anne shares her incredible story of founding SolidCore with $175,000 of her own savings after initially working in nonprofits and creating a running club for a homeless shelter. She discusses the challenges she faced, including navigating contentious business relationships and securing funding, while highlighting the importance of an unwavering belief in oneself.   Discover how Anne turned her passion for fitness and community building into a $100 million success story, the strategic decisions she made during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her ultimate exit strategy.   Anne also sheds light on her financial philosophy, the impact of her upbringing, and the significance of achieving a nine-figure exit.     00:33 Introducing Anne Mahlum: From Waitress to Entrepreneur 02:07 The Nonprofit Journey: Building a Community 06:37 Discovering Pilates: The Next Big Thing 07:57 Scaling Up: From One Studio to Many 10:40 Navigating Challenges: Legal Battles and Growth 16:47 Private Equity and Expansion: The Big Leap 21:00 Valuation Pitfalls and Investor Relations 21:31 Facing the COVID-19 Crisis 23:37 Strategic Negotiations and Capital Raising 25:06 Expansion into Red States 27:53 Succession Planning and Exit Strategy 32:54 Reflecting on Success and Personal Growth