From $175K to $100M: Anne Mahlum’s Journey of Redefining the Fitness Industry
“Anne Mahlum founded Solidcore, a fitness company based on the Pilates concept. She invested $175K of her own money and later sold the company for $100 million,” shares Sam Thompson a Minneapolis business broker and the president of M&A firm Transitions In Business. “This episode covers how you can take some money off the table and still have control, protect a strong work culture and how to tell your employees you are selling your company.”
Today’s episode of Built to Sell Radio features Anne Mahlum, a fearless entrepreneur who redefined the fitness industry. After wandering into a Pilates studio in L.A. and thinking, “I can do this better,” Anne threw all her savings—$175,000—into launching her own version of the company, founding [solidcore], a fitness powerhouse that she later sold for $100 million.
Anne shares her remarkable journey, detailing the strategies she used to transition leadership, navigate fundraising efforts, and build a company with enduring value.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
- Handpick your second-in-command.
- Retain control after raising money.
- Tell your employees you’re selling your company.
- Avoid putting up a security deposit when you lease space.
- Create a category of one.
- Take some money off the table without giving up control.
- Cultivate and protect a strong work culture.