E6: Host Jesse Genet on Selling Her Startup Lumi While 8 months Pregnant

On today’s episode, In The Arena's very own Jesse Genet is in the hotseat. Jesse dives into her biggest crucible moment as the CEO of Lumi: deciding to halt a Series B fundraise and navigating the subsequent conversations with the board, employees affected by layoffs, and acquirers.

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast

In The Arena is a part of the Turpentine podcast network. Learn more: www.turpentine.co

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Episode Preview

(02:31) Saying no to the fundraise

(08:04) What happened after deciding to go against the board?

(10:03) The moment Jesse realized she couldn't proceed with the Series B

(12:01) How the board received Jesse's decision

(14:08) Podcast Rec: The Limited Partner podcast

(14:44) Reliving Jesse’s lowest low moment

(16:53) How to conduct a layoff

(20:05) Picking up the pieces after Lumi’s layoffs

(23:01) Lumi's founding story

(25:43) The acquisition process

(28:53) Jesse's pregnancy during Lumi's transition and acquisition

X / TWITTER: 

@jessegenet (Jesse)

@eriktorenberg (Erik)

@inthearena_pod