How 3 Women Turned an Acquisition Into a Win for Everyone
What happens when three powerhouse women join forces to build something greater than the sum of its parts? You get a story of vision, values, and scaling success.
The Spark Behind the Deal
What happens when you want to scale your business, but know you need a complementary business model to reach new heights? For Courtney Tarrant and Jennifer Spivak, co-owners of The Ad Girls, this question sparked a review of their growth strategy. Their advertising agency had reached a natural plateau, with $2-3M in annual revenue, and they knew expanding beyond that could compromise the boutique service they valued so deeply.
“We didn’t want to be a $20M agency with all the stress and chaos that comes with it,” Courtney shared. Instead, the duo envisioned diversifying their revenue streams by acquiring a complementary business.
“We wanted to find a new company to grow without sacrificing the heart of The Ad Girls.”
Enter Jordan King, the founder of Easy Scaling, who had recently become a mother of three. After feeling increasingly pulled away from her business, Jordan decided it was time to sell. "I knew from the start I wanted to create something sellable," she said, "but the timing of this decision came much faster than expected." Her life had shifted, and her priorities were clear—she wanted to focus on her growing family.
This is where their paths crossed, setting the stage for a business transaction that wasn’t just about the numbers, but about aligned vision, values, and a win win for all.
Turning a Vision Into Reality
While most business acquisitions have years in the making, this deal came together naturally over time. Jennifer had set a goal to acquire a business in 2024 and believed the right opportunity would come without forcing it. “I said to Courtney, ‘I don’t think we need to do anything to make this happen. The perfect opportunity will find us.’”
And so it did. Jordan reached out to Jennifer and Courtney because of their shared values. “They were at the top of my list of potential buyers,” Jordan said, “because I trusted how they ran their business and their commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs.”
This alignment of mission made Easy Scaling an ideal addition. Jennifer explained, “The Ad Girls’ services are premium, which isn’t accessible for every business owner. Easy Scaling allowed us to reach more women entrepreneurs without starting from scratch.”
The Valuation Process: Balancing Speed and Value
Valuing a business is both an art and a science. For Jordan, the decision to sell quickly meant adjusting her expectations. "When I decided to sell as fast as possible, I knew I was giving up some leverage," she admitted.
Courtney and Jennifer worked with Jordan to ensure the valuation reflected both the business's assets and the urgency of the sale. “Jordan’s systems and intellectual property were incredible,” Courtney said. “Her business had a seamless structure, with offers designed to flow into one another like a well-oiled machine.”
However, Jordan’s decision to wind down operations before the sale reduced the final price. “The business wasn’t at full capacity, so that factored into the valuation,” Jennifer explained. Still, the deal remained fair and collaborative, prioritizing speed and a smooth transition.
Post-Sale Transitions: Finding New Roles
For Jordan, the sale was a surreal experience. “It was so easy and light,” she said.
“I handed over the keys, so to speak, and walked away to focus on my family.”
Her team’s solid systems made the transition seamless, allowing her to step away almost immediately.
For Jennifer and Courtney, life after the acquisition was a whirlwind. While Courtney took the lead on integrating Easy Scaling, Jennifer focused on relaunching the ad funnel that had originally fueled Easy Scaling’s success. Within days, the new ads delivered a 20X return on ad spend—a testament to the potential they saw in the business.
Courtney described the process as exhilarating. “We’ve scaled businesses to millions before, but this one felt different. The foundation Jordan built made it easy to see a clear path to our goals.”
5 Lessons Learned From This Acquisition
Lesson 1: Aligning Missions Matters
This deal wasn’t just about profit. It was about shared values. "Our mission is putting more money into the hands of women," Jennifer said. "Easy Scaling fits perfectly into that vision."
Lesson 2: Build a Sellable Business From Day One
Jordan’s strategic planning paid off. By creating a business independent of her personal brand, she made it easier to sell. “Everything from the name to the systems was designed with sellability in mind,” she said.
Lesson 3: Speed Comes With Trade-Offs
Selling quickly meant adjusting expectations. Jordan was willing to accept a lower price for a faster sale, and the buyers were prepared to act swiftly. The key was open communication and a shared understanding of priorities.
Lesson 4: Strong Systems Are Key
Easy Scaling’s robust operational systems ensured a seamless transition. “Jordan’s team was so well-prepared that it was almost plug-and-play for us,” Courtney said.
Lesson 5: Acquisitions Can Expand Impact
For Jennifer and Courtney, acquiring Easy Scaling was a financial decision and a way to extend their reach and help more women entrepreneurs succeed.
What’s Next for Easy Scaling?
The future looks bright for Easy Scaling under its new leadership. Jennifer and Courtney have ambitious plans to scale the business to seven figures while maintaining its integrity and values.
“Women need support to scale their businesses without the chaos,” Courtney said. “With Easy Scaling, we can provide that—helping them focus on what they’re passionate about while we handle the rest.”
For Jordan, life after the sale has been a time of reflection and family. “I’ve been able to fully immerse myself in being a mom, and it’s been incredible,” she said. “This sale was the right move, not just for me but for the future of Easy Scaling.”
Conclusion: A Win-Win Acquisition Story
This acquisition represented more than just a transaction. It’s the perfect alignment of missions between two businesses and their owners. It’s proof that selling a business can be as much about heart as it is about numbers.
For Jordan, it was a chance to step into a new chapter. For Jennifer and Courtney, it was an opportunity to expand their impact and create a legacy.
Their story is a testament to the power of alignment, preparation, and purpose. It’s a reminder that when values lead, everyone wins.
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