In this episode of The Stormy Stories Show, Angela Robertson sits down with Steven Findlay, CEO of Noratek Solutions and founder of CityReporter, to discuss the realities of building and selling a company without outside funding.

What started as a municipal inspection software solution grew into a North American business over more than 15 years. Steven shares the journey of bootstrapping CityReporter from the ground up, navigating multiple technology shifts, and ultimately leading a competitive acquisition process that resulted in the successful sale of the company.

From managing due diligence, handling competing offers, and negotiating without an M&A advisor, to building the leadership team that made the transaction possible, Steven provides an honest look at what it really takes to prepare a business for exit.

This conversation is packed with practical lessons on entrepreneurship, negotiation, resilience, and why the strongest companies are built long before they're sold.

Topics discussed:
• Building a software company without outside capital
• The realities of bootstrapping for over a decade
• Preparing a company for acquisition
• Negotiating with multiple buyers
• The role of relationships during an M&A process
• Building a leadership team that can operate without the founder
• Lessons learned from a successful exit

If you're a founder, CEO, or entrepreneur considering your next chapter, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.