In this episode, we dive into the journey of female founders navigating business exits and acquisitions, featuring the inspiring story of SLT Consulting’s sale to Fiverr and subsequent buyback by Sharon Lee Thony. We cover the emotional, strategic, and practical aspects of scaling, selling, and reclaiming a business, while spotlighting the work of the Whisper Group in supporting women-owned businesses through the exit process.

Key discussion points:

How Sharon Lee Thony built, scaled, and ultimately sold her digital marketing agency, and what led to buying it back.

The unique challenges and emotional journey female founders face during acquisition, especially when their identity is tied to their business.

The sobering statistics around women-owned business exits, and how organizations like the Whisper Group are working to change that.

Strategies for building your business with exit readiness in mind, including scalable systems and team development.

The parallels between motherhood and entrepreneurship, and how skills honed as a mom—resilience, multitasking, adaptability—fuel business success.

TL;DR:Sharon Lee Thony shares her insights from scaling and selling her agency, then reclaiming it, offering valuable lessons on intentional growth, exit planning, and founder identity. The episode highlights how female founders can shift their mindset from building “lifestyle businesses” to creating transformative assets, and the power of community support through networks like the Whisper Group.

Thank you for listening!

If this episode inspired you, please screenshot and share it on social media—be sure to tag @meganswanwellness so we can cheer you on. Your support means the world!

Connect with Megan Swan

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/meganswanwellness

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-swan-wellness

Websites: www.meganswanwellness.com

+ https://altavitahealth.ca/

Connect with Sharon Lee Thony

Websites: https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/

• https://sltconsulting.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonthony/

Keywords

female founders, business acquisition, business exit, entrepreneurship, SLT Consulting, Fiverr acquisition, digital marketing agency, boutique agency, brand and marketing executive, award-winning campaigns, scaling businesses, exit readiness, Whisper Group, collective of exited female founders, business mentorship, business advisory, bootstrapping, building a business from scratch, pivoting in business, working moms, motherhood and entrepreneurship, resilience, multitasking, business identity, founder identity crisis, contingency planning, selling a business, buying back a business, angel investing, networking, building teams, succession planning

In this episode of Wellness As A Way of Life for Women Building the Future, we delve into how personal pain can spark innovation in the wellness space, focusing on the journey and impact of Bird&Be—a company reimagining what fertility support looks like. We explore the powerful intersection of proactive health, evidence-based products, and social stigma around reproductive health, for both women and men.

• How Samantha Diamond’s personal experience with infertility and loss inspired her to build Bird&Be and challenge the norms of fertility support.

• The gap in education and accessibility around reproductive health, and how Bird&Be’s platform and products aim to fill it—even in “fertility deserts” with limited care.

• Why early, proactive testing and tracking are critical for optimizing fertility outcomes for both women and men, and how Bird&Be’s at-home tests make this more achievable.

• The evidence-based lifestyle recommendations and supplements designed by fertility doctors, including diet, sleep, movement, and key micronutrients, to support fertility.

• The importance of including men in the fertility conversation, breaking down stigma, and gamifying the testing experience to encourage involvement and levity during a stressful process.

TLDR:Bird&Be is changing the fertility landscape by making evidence-based education, testing, and supplements accessible—while breaking stigma and involving both genders in the conversation. The episode reminds us that proactive, empowered choices and open dialogue can dramatically shift fertility outcomes and experiences for individuals and couples.

Thank you for listening!

If this episode inspired you, please screenshot and share it on social media—be sure to tag @meganswanwellness so we can cheer you on. Your support means the world!

Connect with Megan Swan

Instagram:http://www.instagram.com/meganswanwellness

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-swan-wellness

Websites: www.meganswanwellness.com + https://altavitahealth.ca/

Connect with Samantha Diamond

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdbeco

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@birdandbe

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupmamma/

Keywords

amygdala takeover, empathy in business, mirror neurons, kindness in negotiation, communication skills, professional empowerment, listening skills, motherhood in workplace, intuitive decision making, workplace flexibility, reading the room, managing stress in negotiations

Negotiation isn’t just about tough talk and digging in your heels—in this episode, Megan Swan sits down with negotiation coach Laura Costello to reframe negotiation as an empowering act anchored in empathy, self-awareness, and collaboration. Together, they explore how women can harness soft power, neuroscience, and intuition to advocate confidently for themselves, both in business and beyond.

Key discussion points:

• Why women often feel “sticky” about negotiation, and the myths around aggression vs. cooperation.

• The neuroscience behind negotiation anxiety, especially when advocating for ourselves vs. others.

• How to calm your nervous system, leverage emotional intelligence, and disrupt self-defeating mental loops before and during negotiations.

• Practical tools for boundary-setting, taking your time, and reframing “deadlines” in negotiations.

• Redefining negotiation success: using intuition, collaboration, and flexibility (not just salary, but all the factors that contribute to work/life satisfaction).

TLDR: Negotiation isn’t about winning or losing—it’s about authentic collaboration, clear boundaries, and using your natural strengths (like listening and empathy) to get outcomes that work for you. Women can step confidently into negotiation by embracing soft power, self-awareness, and a willingness to redefine the rules.

Thank you for listening!

If this episode inspired you, please screenshot and share it on social media—be sure to tag @meganswanwellness so we can cheer you on. Your support means the world!

Connect with Megan Swan

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/meganswanwellness

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-swan-wellness

Websites: www.meganswanwellness.com + https://altavitahealth.ca/

Connect with Laura Costello

Anxiety ZERO Negotiations - Free webinar - You can register to join at bookme.name/lvcinternational - scroll down to "events" to find the session that suits.

Learn the fundamentals of negotiation without the stress! This quick, interactive session gives you practical tips and strategies to boost your confidence and effectiveness in any negotiation. Perfect as a sneak peek into my more intensive coaching programs, this free webinar will leave you with actionable takeaways you can start using immediately.

DISCOUNT on Coaching:

For anyone who feels they would benefit from 1 on 1 coaching I can offer my "Negotiation Mastery" program at a 30% discount to your followers - use coupon code - MEGAN.

Book here - https://bookme.name/lvcinternational/negotiation-mastery-intensive

Keywords

women in negotiation, neuroscience of negotiation, self advocacy, negotiation training, consumer packaged goods industry, power dynamics, soft power, emotional intelligence, salary negotiation, contract negotiation, pay gap, stereotypes in negotiation, boundary setting, coaching for women, collaboration, competitive situations, cortisol response, limbic system, amygdala takeover, empathy in business, mirror neurons, kindness in negotiation, communication skills, professional empowerment, listening skills, motherhood in workplace, intuitive decision making, workplace flexibility, reading the room, managing stress in negotiations