Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak
Entrepreneurship isn’t just a career—it’s a relentless, all-consuming way of life.
Welcome to Founder2Founder a raw and unfiltered podcast where host Aaron Spivak pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build something from the ground up. No sugarcoating, no overnight success stories—just deep, honest conversations with some of the most driven, underrated, and game-changing founders of our time. From brutal setbacks to game-changing mindset shifts, Aaron goes beyond the polished success stories to uncover the unglamorous, deeply personal side of building a business.
As a seasoned entrepreneur himself, Aaron goes beneath the surface and gets into the nitty-gritty of what it truly takes to succeed. He’ll dive into the habits, behaviors, and routines that set elite founders apart, the tactics and strategies that are working today, and the mindset shifts required to push through the hardest moments. Through raw personal stories, late-night struggles, and breakthrough moments, guests open up about what it really means to grow, not just as a founder, but as a person.
Each week, Aaron sits down with visionary entrepreneurs from high-growth startup founders to seasoned CEOs, for real, unfiltered conversations about the highs, lows, and everything in between. Whether you're scaling a company, launching your first venture, or just looking for inspiration, this podcast will give you the insights, motivation, and real-world advice you won’t get just anywhere. If you're ready to strip away the illusion and get real about what it means to build, sacrifice, and thrive, this is the podcast for you. Join us every Wednesday!
Founder2Founder with Aaron Spivak
Using a Relentless Mindset to Build and Sell a Nine-Figure Empire
In this episode of Founder2Founder, host Aaron Spivak sits down with Anne Mahlum. Anne is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and speaker known for building impactful businesses. She founded Back on My Feet, a nonprofit helping individuals experiencing homelessness, and [solidcore], one of the nation’s fastest-growing fitness brands. Under her leadership, [solidcore] expanded to 120+ locations and raised $210M. After successfully exiting in 2023, Anne now invests, advises, and speaks on leadership, risk-taking, and living boldly.
In this conversation, Anne shares how she bet on herself, overcame self-doubt, and made bold decisions to scale her business rapidly. She breaks down key lessons in leadership, risk-taking, and negotiating high-stakes deals while navigating challenges like lawsuits and the pandemic. Her story is a masterclass in resilience and strategic thinking, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to build and exit a successful company.
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Chapters:
02:10 - Anne’s Early Entrepreneurial Journey and Founding Back on My Feet
06:30 - Transitioning from Nonprofit to Launching [solidcore] with $175K
10:45 - Scaling [solidcore] Rapidly and the Subway Expansion Strategy
15:20 - The Art of Negotiation: How Anne Secured Favourable Lease Terms
20:50 - Breaking Away from Supplier Dependencies and Legal Battles
25:26 - Leading Through Crisis: How Anne Navigated [solidcore] Through The Pandemic
30:43 - Transitioning Out of the CEO Role and Preparing for Exit
35:16 - Selling [solidcore] for Nine Figures and Lessons in Wealth Management
41:32 - Strategic Decisions That Scaled [solidcore] to Over 120 Locations
46:27 - Why Entrepreneurs Need to Deeply Understand Their Numbers
51:47 - The Importance of Surrounding Yourself with the Right People
56:55 - Life After Exit: Navigating Identity and Purpose Beyond Business
1:03:46 - Shutting Down Ambition and Embracing a New Chapter
1:08:06 - Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy as a Female Founder
1:15:26 - The Truth About Relationships, Success, and Finding the Right Partner
1:28:08 - The Power of Momentum and How to Create It in Business and Life
1:35:17 - Anne’s Advice to Her Younger Self: Stay Curious and Keep Doing
Guest Links:
Website: annemahlum.com
Instagram @AnneMahlum
Tiktok @AnneMahlum_
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