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. 

 

  

1:01 The Story Behind Kiri’s Successful Company Exit  

5:34 The Origin Story of Bobsled Marketing  

7:14 How Amazon’s Programs Actually Work Behind the Scenes  

9:54 Her First Thoughts About Eventually Exiting the Business  

12:41 The Power of Partnering With the Right M&A Advisor  

14:42 Why Industry Experience Can Make or Break an Exit  

18:02 How She Built a Tight, Strategic List of Buyers  

22:09 The Personal Decisions That Steer Company Growth  

24:58 What Transitioning Into the Acadia Team Really Looked Like  

28:25 Adjusting to Having a Boss After Being a Founder  

30:54 Why Founders Need Time Off After Selling  

32:43 The Unexpected Wave of Sadness After an Exit  

35:08 Finding Support Through Therapy and Medication