In this episode of The Exit Whisperer, Michelle Wahler shares the incredible 18-year journey of building Beyond Yoga—a body-positive, female-founded activewear brand that made comfort, inclusivity, and authenticity its mission from day one. From hand-illustrated T-shirts to a strategic, self-funded apparel company acquired by Levi Strauss & Co., Michelle unpacks every twist in her story: childhood influences, bootstrapping struggles, wholesale wins, emotional negotiations, and her mindset shift post-exit.
 
Whether you’re scaling your first business or considering your final chapter, this is a masterclass in leading with values and building a brand people love.
 
00:00 - Intro: Who is Michelle Wahler?
01:45 - Losing Her Dad’s Business, Gaining a Mission
05:30 - From Unsweetened T-Shirts to Activewear Vision
08:20 - Meeting Her Co-Founder and Starting Beyond Yoga
13:40 - The Business Was Built for Real Women
17:25 - Why They Never Raised Venture Capital
21:50 - Early Wholesale Wins & Studio-by-Studio Growth
26:00 - Doubling Year After Year (Until the Recession)
30:40 - The Moment They Took Finances In-House
35:00 - Cold LinkedIn Message from Levi’s
39:15 - “Build or Buy?” and the Levi’s Strategy
42:40 - Reflecting on Earlier Offers and Knowing Their Worth
47:00 - Why She Said No to Fast Growth
52:10 - Controlling Distribution and Staying True to the Brand
56:40 - The Integrity Behind Every Decision
01:00:00 - Closing Thoughts on Exit and Identity

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