What happens when you outgrow your dream business?

Recording together in LA, Caitlin Creeper and Erika Drolet are sharing some big news: Erika is stepping away from Salty Souls Experience.

In this episode, Erika shares her journey of leaving a business she helped build, from when the idea first started creeping in, to the back and forth that followed, and how she eventually found clarity.

We get into the practical side of a business transition, from having that first difficult conversation with a business partner to navigating valuations and selling a company. But we also explore the much messier emotional side: identity, grief, letting go, and the strange pressure to immediately know what comes next.

We talk about what nobody really tells you about cofounder relationships, the importance of trust and partnership, what to consider before going into business with a friend, and how to embrace change when your personal and professional lives are so intertwined.

And at the heart of it all, one big question: how do you tell the difference between giving up when something gets hard and the bone-deep knowing that it’s simply time to go?

Keywords: Business transition, entrepreneurship, cofounder relationships, business partnerships, selling a company, personal growth, leadership, business valuation, lifestyle business, embracing change, letting go.

Key topics:

• Recognizing when it's time to leave a business
• Navigating uncertainty and finding clarity
• The practicalities of selling a business and determining its value
• Trust, communication, and cofounder relationships
• Going into business with friends
• Identity, grief, and letting go
• Embracing change without knowing what comes next
• Knowing the difference between giving up and moving on

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and overview of Erika's transition

02:03 Erika's role evolution in her business

03:57 Empowering facilitators and team members

06:58 Decision to sell the travel agency

10:55 Valuing a lifestyle service business

15:11 Impact of motherhood and personal growth

19:09 Trust and reliability in partnerships

22:04 Overcoming resistance to change

27:06 Future opportunities and new ventures

30:59 The emotional process of transition

35:49 Advice for entrepreneurs considering exit

39:48 The importance of trust and alignment in partnerships

43:57 Reflections on identity and legacy

48:09 The role of courage in change

53:01 Closing thoughts and encouragement

Song: Green by Macy Todd licensed via Audiio.

Editing and Production: Mateus Gomes

Get 30 Days Free Access to Salty Club- use code: SCLUBPOD

Alice Guevarra sits down with Kim Okabe, Creative Director of The Lita's, a global motorcycle community for women, and the founder of Women's Moto Summit in Squamish BC. Kim's story goes beyond motorcycles, she got into riding after her mother encouraged her to get her license. What started as a very personal relationship with riding, eventually lead her to discover The Lita's, build the Vancouver community, and create spaces for women to come together, connect and feel like they belonged.

If you've ever wondered what happens when a motorcycle becomes more than just a motorcycle, when it becomes a way to find yourself, find your people, and completely change the direction of your life, this conversation is for you.

Song: Green by Macy Todd licensed via Audiio.

Editing and Production: Mateus Gomes

Get 30 Days Free Access to Salty Club- use code: SCLUBPOD

In this episode of the Salty Club Podcast, host Caitlin Creeper speaks with Valérie Guillote about her journey to motherhood as a single woman. Valerie shares her early desire to become a mother, the challenges she faced in relationships, and her decision to pursue motherhood through insemination. The conversation delves into the emotional aspects of choosing a donor, the support system she built around her, and the realities of early pregnancy and motherhood. Valerie's candid reflections on her experiences provide valuable insights for anyone considering alternative paths to parenthood. In this conversation, Valerie shares her experiences and insights on motherhood, single parenting, and the lifestyle changes that come with raising a child. She discusses the challenges and joys of being a mother, the importance of community support, and how her perspective on dating has shifted since becoming a parent. Valerie emphasizes the need for authenticity in social interactions and the balance between personal ambitions and family life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alternative Paths to Motherhood

02:06 Valerie's Journey to Motherhood

05:38 Choosing the Right Support System

08:54 The Donor Selection Process

11:03 Doubts and Decisions in the Journey

12:46 The Insemination Process Explained

13:42 Early Pregnancy Experiences

16:44 The Transition to Motherhood

18:44 Support Systems and Isolation

21:35 Reflections on Spontaneity and Motherhood

23:54 Traveling with a Baby

24:55 Navigating Air Travel with Children

28:01 The Australian Lifestyle and Its Appeal

32:01 Personal Growth Through Motherhood

36:05 Balancing Career Ambitions and Motherhood

40:00 The Dynamics of Single Parenting

45:06 Dating as a Single Mother

46:14 Embracing the Journey of Motherhood

Host: Caitlin Creeper

Song: Green by Macy Todd licensed via Audiio.

Editing and Production: Mateus Gomes

Get 30 Days Free to the Salty Club- use code: SCLUBPOD