There are plenty of downsides to being a founder: no safety net, personal guarantees, and the weight of the business following you home every night.
But there’s one upside most people miss: the ability to press pause.
In the corporate world, the career ladder is a one-way street. You’re rewarded for commitment, loyalty, and playing by the rules. But step off—even for a sabbatical—and you may never get back on. Asking for a year off is often seen as career suicide.
Not for founders.
Founders can sell their business, take time off, and come back just as sharp. The hard skills—spotting opportunity, selling a vision, raising money—don’t fade. They’re evergreen.
And that gives you something most employees never get: the freedom to take a break while it still matters before your kids are grown. While your body still says yes to adventure.
This week on Built to Sell Radio, you’ll meet Chang Kim—CK to his friends—who sold his company for $510 million and took a full year off. He made the transition from full-time founder to full-time father, reconnecting with his family, his purpose, and ultimately, his next venture.
Listen now and you’ll learn how to:
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Decide when to sell (we wrote a free ebook on the topic)
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Design a sabbatical
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Avoid the guilt of living off your “capital iceberg”
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Reconnect with your kids before they’re out the door
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Say no to friends who think your time is now public property
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Rebuild your identity when your job title disappears
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Decide when—and if—you want to get back in the game
This is part of our After the Deal series, where we explore what happens when work becomes a choice, not a requirement.
Quote of the Week
I didn’t want to go from one hamster wheel to another. I needed to stop, breathe, and figure out what really matters.
Deals
Custom lanyard and ID badge manufacturer We Print Lanyards has been acquired by CCL Industries for approximately $5.6 million in an all-cash, debt-free transaction. The UK-based company generated revenue of $4.1 million in 2024 with an estimated 25% adjusted EBITDA margin, implying ~$1.025 million in EBITDA. CCL Industries values the business at approximately 5.5× adjusted EBITDA.
