344 - Anne Mahlum, solidcore: Strategies for Building and Selling a $100M Brand

“Write down how you're spending your time, then I want you to think back to a year ago and write down how you're spending your time. If those things are the same and you're wondering why your business hasn't grown at the level you want, you have your answer” In this candid episode of the Entreprenista Podcast, Anne Mahlum sits down with Stephanie and Courtney to share her raw and inspiring story of creating her fitness empire from scratch — and the costly lessons she learned along the way. You'll hear how Anne transformed her passion for fitness into solidcore, a groundbreaking Pilates-inspired workout, and scaled rapidly across the country. She dives into her strategic negotiations with landlords, how she avoided debt, and her bold approach to raising private equity—all while staying true to her vision. Beyond business, Anne’s story is about the importance of leadership, authenticity, and resilience, especially for women founders. Plus, she shares her insights on finding where you are most needed, planning successful exits, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference. Whether you're dreaming of your first startup or ready to scale your existing business, this episode is packed with real-life lessons, secrets to growth, and inspiration to help you play big, without the fear of failure holding you back. What We Talked About: Anne’s Journey Towards Founding Solidcore [4:20] Anne’s First Big Lesson with Back on My Feet [11:50] How Anne Refused to be the Victim [16:30] How to Go After Home Runs [22:55] When Should Founders Take on private equity? [34:30] Connect with Anne: Website @annemahlum on Instagram Linkedin Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey! Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? Sign up here for a free info session. Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay