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From Startup to Acquihire: One Founder’s Journey

Rachel Elsts Downey is the founder of Share Your Genius, a podcast production company that has been helping businesses increase their brand visibility since 2017.


Over the years, Share Your Genius has grown into a successful business, generating $500,000 in revenue by 2021. That’s when Downey was approached by one of her clients with an offer to acquire her business.


The client wanted to hire Downey and saw the acquisition of Share Your Genius as the best way to recruit her. After some deliberation, Downey accepted the offer and agreed to be “acquihired”.


This deal valued Share Your Genius in the mid-six figures and provided Downey with cash for her business, a secure salary, bonuses, and some equity in the acquiring company.


In this episode, Downey shares her experience of going through an acquihire. You’ll discover how to:

  • Evaluate the pros and cons of an acquihire.

  • Utilize a little-known goal-setting technique.

  • Balance the demands of running a business with the responsibilities of parenting.

  • Let go of an underperforming employee without upsetting your customers.

  • Distinguish between serious burnout and normal fatigue.

  • Avoid overlooking critical details during due diligence.

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More About Rachel Elsts Downey

Rachel Elsts Downey is a mom of three and the founder of Share Your Genius. The company is a podcast production company working with the largest B2B brands.


Definitions

Due-Diligence: Due diligence is an investigation, audit, or review performed to confirm facts or details of a matter under consideration. In the financial world, due diligence requires an examination of financial records before entering into a proposed transaction with another party. Source.


Acqui-hiring: “Acqui-hire” transactions, which are particularly prevalent in the context of start-up technology-related M&A transactions in the U.S., focus on acquiring a company primarily to obtain its employees and their skills, in addition to other possible assets. Source.


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