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.
 
0:18 Michelle Sells Her Company  
2:01 Introducing Michelle’s Story  
3:40 Where Michelle’s Entrepreneurial Spark Came From  
5:47 Launching Her First Business, Unsweetened  
8:14 Building and Leading Beyond Yoga  
10:13 How Childhood Experiences Shaped Her Drive  
13:50 How An Investment Changed Everything  
17:00 Why Wholesale Partners Were Critical  
19:01 Building Relationships With the Early Sales Team  
20:37 A True Commitment to Real Women’s Bodies  
23:01 Why Fit and Fabric Quality Matter Most  
27:27 New Colors Coming for Their Signature Dye  
29:39 Exploring a Potential Partnership With the CFO  
32:30 Choosing Steady Growth Over Short-Term Profit  
35:06 Why Avoiding Excess Inventory Is Essential  
36:58 Teamwork That Got Them Through Tough Negotiations  
39:34 Aligning Brand Values With the Right Partners  
41:46 Navigating the Transition Out of the CEO Role  
44:40 Embracing a New Chapter in Life  

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