In this new episode our discussion revolves around the imperative to close the exit gap that women face in business, wherein they capture a mere 0.8% of exit value.

I have the distinct honor of hosting Carrie Kerpen, a trailblazing entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of the Whisper Group, which specializes in exit readiness for women-owned businesses.

Throughout our discussion, we delve into the transformative journey of women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the necessity of cultivating confidence alongside competence. Carrie elucidates her own experiences of building and selling her agency, highlighting the profound insights gained from her journey in navigating the complexities of business exits. As we explore the nuances of leadership and the unique challenges faced by women in the entrepreneurial sphere, we illuminate pathways for women to scale their ventures and achieve financial independence.

Our Guest This Week:

Today we have a SUCCESS SORCERESS in our midst!

Carrie Kerpen is the Founder and CEO of The Whisper Group, the premier exit-readiness advisory firm dedicated exclusively to women-owned businesses. A trailblazing entrepreneur, Carrie built and sold one of the world's first social media agencies, turning a lifestyle business into a life-changing eight-figure asset. Through her work, her bestselling books — Work It!(which was featured in the #WisdomOfWomen Book Club) and her latest, The Whisper Way — and her podcast The Exit Whisperer, Carrie is on a mission to close the staggering exit gap, where women capture only 0.8% of exit value. Her visionary leadership empowers women founders to scale with purpose and exit with prosperity, reshaping the future of wealth for women. Carrie’s voice is bold, definitive, and rooted in a fierce belief: that women deserve to build companies that create freedom, impact, and generational wealth.

Takeaways:

1. A significant exit gap exists where women-owned businesses capture only 0.8% of total exit value, highlighting systemic inequalities.
2. Carrie's journey illustrates how personal challenges can lead to professional growth and transformative business success.
3. The Whisper Group aims to empower women entrepreneurs by providing resources and community support for business growth and exits.
4. Both hosts stress the importance of confidence over mere competence in pursuing business opportunities and leadership roles.
5. The conversation revolves around actionable strategies for women to build scalable businesses that can be sold for substantial value.

Chapters:

05:06 Defining Moments: Shaping the Future

11:33 Transitioning into Leadership: From Wedding Planner to CEO

13:42 The Exit Gap and Women's Entrepreneurship

19:54 Understanding the Exit Gap for Women Entrepreneurs

30:01 Understanding Valuation: The Key Metrics for Success

31:58 Navigating the Emotional Challenges of Selling a Company

39:04 The Whisper Way: A New Chapter for Women Entrepreneurs

Burning Questions Answered:

1. Why do women capture only 0.8% of exit value—and how do we fix it?
2. What makes a business actually sellable?
3. Can women create life-changing wealth without building billion-dollar unicorns?