Jen’s Favorite Episode: How Anne Mahlum built Solid Core and Sold it for 88 Million

Before Solidcore had a single studio open, Anne Mahlum turned down $75,000 from an investor who wanted 30% of the company. She knew that money would become a crutch, so she walked away and risked everything on her own terms.

Anne is a fascinating person. She started her first business with nothing but a running route past a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. Then she built another studio. This is a replay of one of my favorite conversations on the show, and it is one I keep coming back to.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1hSIhe6UmE

"Money for me has always been a trophy. It means I did a really good job." ~ Anne Mahlum

In This Episode:

- How strict standards built culture at Back on My Feet

- Why giving things away for free makes people value them less

- How the same culture principles shaped Solidcore

- How she negotiated 100 Solidcore locations without security deposits

- Turning down $75K to go all in

- Why founders need skin in the game

About Anne Mahlum: