#18 - Christine Merser (Blue Shoe Strategy)

Carrie Kerpen interviews Christine Merser, an experienced entrepreneur who shares her journey with Blue Shoe Strategy and what it took to sell her business with both triumphant successes and challenging failures. Christine reflects on her negotiation of a company sale for double the valuation amidst a room of skeptical men, the early days of the internet and managing forums in 1993, and her pivotal role in launching Obama's digital campaign. The conversation delves into her ventures during the dot-com era, an early luxury goods online marketplace, and lessons learned from its subsequent downfall. Merser also recounts a later venture with a party rental business, navigating an exit, and imparting wisdom on managing company board dynamics and valuations. 00:28 Welcome to The Exit Whisperer 00:42 Introducing Christine Merser 02:12 Early Internet Days and Blue Shoe Strategy 03:23 Obama's Digital Campaign and Early Successes 04:40 Parallels Between Internet Boom and AI 07:25 The Dot-Com Bust: Best Selections 13:46 Lessons from the Dot-Com Era 18:20 Party Rental Business and Quick Exit 24:38 Resurrecting Blue Shoe Strategy 26:32 Writing and New Ventures 27:29 Final Thoughts and Resilience