In this episode of The Exit Whisperer, Michelle Wahler shares the incredible 18-year journey of building Beyond Yoga—a body-positive, female-founded activewear brand that made comfort, inclusivity, and authenticity its mission from day one. From hand-illustrated T-shirts to a strategic, self-funded apparel company acquired by Levi Strauss & Co., Michelle unpacks every twist in her story: childhood influences, bootstrapping struggles, wholesale wins, emotional negotiations, and her mindset shift post-exit.
Whether you’re scaling your first business or considering your final chapter, this is a masterclass in leading with values and building a brand people love.
0:18 Michelle Sells Her Company
2:01 Introducing Michelle’s Story
3:40 Where Michelle’s Entrepreneurial Spark Came From
5:47 Launching Her First Business, Unsweetened
8:14 Building and Leading Beyond Yoga
10:13 How Childhood Experiences Shaped Her Drive
13:50 How An Investment Changed Everything
17:00 Why Wholesale Partners Were Critical
19:01 Building Relationships With the Early Sales Team
20:37 A True Commitment to Real Women’s Bodies
23:01 Why Fit and Fabric Quality Matter Most
27:27 New Colors Coming for Their Signature Dye
29:39 Exploring a Potential Partnership With the CFO
32:30 Choosing Steady Growth Over Short-Term Profit
35:06 Why Avoiding Excess Inventory Is Essential
36:58 Teamwork That Got Them Through Tough Negotiations
39:34 Aligning Brand Values With the Right Partners
41:46 Navigating the Transition Out of the CEO Role
44:40 Embracing a New Chapter in Life
