In this special episode, join me, Anne, and my husband Mark as we co-host a journey down memory lane, reflecting on the origins and evolution of San Francisco Holiday Lighting, Inc, a full-service holiday lighting and decor installation company. Mark, with a background in carpentry, and myself, formerly a sales representative for a nationwide oral and body care company, share the story of how we built our business.

Tune in for valuable insights as we reminisce on the lessons learned during our path to netting seven figures annually, all within the dynamic world of holiday lighting - a business that only operates for six months a year.

Kelsey is the owner of Shelter-Co, a full scale event production company with luxury canvas tents and beautiful furnishings to boot, that has gained a reputation for well-designed, thoughtful, and environmentally conscious productions. Shelter Co has built pop-up hotels in remote locations, produced magazine-worthy events around the country, designed VIP spaces at music festivals including Outside Lands in San Francisco and Bottleneck in Napa, run corporate retreats, built a semi-permanent outdoor, open-aired meeting "rooms" on three of Google's campuses, and has been featured on the cover of Sunset Magazine, and on The New York Times, Vogue, among many, many more.

You can check out her business' inspiring and beautiful designs on Instagram @shelterco

Loren is a Parter at Business Exits and has sold over $300 million worth in businesses over the past six years. Prior to brokering business deals, Loren was the founder CEO of a technology strategy consulting firm that he exited after thirteen years. After his own terrible experience as a seller, Loren was motivated to create a better and more authentic process and entered the world of Mergers and Acquisitions. As a seasoned broker, he’s currently expanding his reach into the broader middle market, all while actively acquiring businesses and real estate along the way.

Listen in as he gives us insight into the process of valuation, preparing a business for a sale, challenges faced, and so much more.

Arlene is a true force in the wellness realm. As the owner of All Worlds Health and Pediatrics, a dedicated teacher at the Osteopathic Cranial Academy, and the heart behind the All Worlds Foundation, Arlene is not just an integrative physician; she’s a catalyst for healing, empowerment, and spreading peace, joy, and love. She has been described as a compassionate doctor and miracle medicine woman, and is consistently booked months in advance. She is releasing her first book, I AM Intuitive: A MultiDimensional Guide to Embrace Your Inner Light, in March 2024.

Adam Rosendahl is the visionary founder and CEO of Late Nite Art . As an Experience Designer and Artist, Adam weaves a variety of art forms and cutting edge facilitation to foster deep connection and trust for a very impressive list of teams and conferences around the world.

While serving as a personal life stylist for a wealthy LA client, Simone was tasked with curating gifts for special events and holidays. In 2014, she seamlessly melded her experience and artistic vision, birthing her eponymous gift box business, Simone LeBlanc. She has helped notable clients such as the Obamas, Jamie King, Taylor Swift, and more with curating gifts for their family and friends, the media describing her as the "gift giver extraordinaire." Her business has been featured in The New York Times, In Style Magazine, Vanity Fair, Goop, Architectural Digest and more. Turning gift-giving into an art form, she's now the go-to for Hollywood's über-stylish, sharing her creative journey on Instagram @simoneleblanc.

Nick chose life experience and industry exposure over a formal higher education and learned how to manage and run a restaurant. Then, in 2011, a longtime-local "Seb-Mex" eatery Papas and Pollo was threatening closure in Sebastopol. California. Nick saw the potential to bring back a community restaurant, negotiated seller financing for three years, and turned the restaurant into a thriving community hub that supports his family's binational lifestyle.

Chelsea Bay Dennis is a graphic designer, certified life coach, and storytelling even creator with nearly twenty years of experience. She was a co-owner of a four person graphic design firm and also a solo entrepreneur that found a win-win solution for clients and herself. She provides nuggets of wisdom that anyone interested in graphic design can use to get clients and keep them coming back. Plus, bonus insight on how she was able to buy four properties on what would be considered an entry-level salary.

Chad went from being a self-taught photographer hobbyist that took photos of his family's travels and memories the way many of us do. In 2008, after experiencing reduced hours and a shrinking paycheck at his job, he boldly launched Chad David Kraus Photography. Since then, he has photographed over 1000 weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, and several iconic Broadway shows and red carpet events with images featured in the New York Times and on Times Square billboards as well.

Mac Skinner was an employee of Two-Rock amplifiers for over six years and found an opportunity to co-purchase the brand in 2016. Within five years, he and his co-owner, Eli Lester have more than quadrupled sales, released new lines, and built the legendary brand back up and beyond. He shares his story.

Jenny Griffo worked in education and the non-profit sector building libraries in Southeast Asia and East Africa for Room to Read before pivoting in 2015 to co-founding and operating award-winning, community-focused Griffo Distillery in Petaluma, California. With no prior experience in sales or business, Jenny learned on-the-fly, grew multiple revenue streams, and navigated her and her husband's company to a multi-million dollar exit in 2023. Check them out on Instagram @griffodistillery