What happened once the deal closed… and why I still work.
Everyone assumes the hard part ends when the deal closes. For me, it was the opposite. The money landed, my team no longer needed me, the lawyers stopped calling, and I felt lost almost immediately.
Over a decade of identity, gone overnight. Nobody warns you about that part. If you're heading toward your own exit, it's worth knowing: that feeling is normal, not a sign something's wrong. It took time and purpose in something new for me to find a new rhythm.
What I do with my time
Search & Rescue for HM Coastguard (voluntary)
Unpaid, unglamorous, one of my best decisions I’ve made. Purpose, new skills, teamwork, the outdoors, in situations that really matter.
House build by the sea
The exit gave me the resources to build a dream house in Cornwall. It’s nearly finished now.
Working part time, on my terms
A few hours a week as a business consultant, 1-2 clients tops. I also founded kudugear.co, and impact-squared.com. I'm an entrepreneur, and that doesn't switch off.
Why Build a Toolkit If the Exit Already Went Well?
I'm putting years of hard-won knowledge to use - (and earning from it) while it's still sharp, rather than letting it sit idle and dipping into savings.
If my toolkit helps one founder exit when they want to, the way I did, that's worth more than its price tag.