Podcast Summary: "Rebalancing After Burnout: Inside Jaclyn Johnson’s Post-Exit Life"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Journey with Morgan DeBaun
• Host: Morgan DeBaun
• Guest: Jacqueline Johnson
• Episode: Rebalancing After Burnout: Inside Jaclyn Johnson’s Post-Exit Life
• Release Date: July 8, 2025

1. Introduction

Morgan DeBaun welcomes her longtime friend and successful entrepreneur, Jacqueline Johnson, to discuss Jacqueline's recent acquisition buyback of her company, Create and Cultivate. Morgan sets the stage for an engaging conversation about business strategy, personal growth, and finding balance post-exit.

Notable Quote:

• Morgan (00:00): "This is going to be a little bit of a girl boss chat."

2. Business Journey: Acquisition and Buyback of Create and Cultivate

Jacqueline recounts the trajectory of Create and Cultivate, highlighting its impressive performance leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the company saw significant growth with $14 million in revenue and $4 million EBITDA in 2019. However, the pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, leading to a modest $9 million revenue and $3 million EBITDA by year's end.

Despite acquisition offers at a $40-50 million valuation, Jacqueline resisted the pressure, valuing the company's integrity and her personal stake as a bootstrap founder. Eventually, private equity acquired a majority stake, allowing Jacqueline to step back and focus on personal well-being.

Notable Quote:

• Jacqueline (02:49): "I was the bottleneck for the business."

3. Personal Rebalancing: Overcoming Burnout and Identity Crisis

Post-acquisition, Jacqueline shares her struggle with burnout and the ensuing identity crisis after dedicating over a decade to her business. She describes the transition from a high-paced entrepreneurial lifestyle to a more relaxed and self-discovering phase, including activities like gardening, cooking, and taking courses.

Notable Quote:

• Jacqueline (05:48): "It's a personal identity crisis. Like, you spend 10 plus years of your life waking up and doing something, and to wake up one day and not is a weird feeling."

4. New Ventures: Blueprint Mastermind and Cherub

Embracing her passion for mentoring, Jacqueline discusses launching Blueprint Mastermind, a group designed to support female entrepreneurs through more intimate and focused interactions. Additionally, she introduces her latest venture, Cherub, a double-sided marketplace connecting angel investors with entrepreneurs, simplifying the often cumbersome angel investing process.

Notable Quote:

• Jacqueline (08:40): "We started Blueprint Mastermind. We work so well together. The women are amazing."

5. Angel Investing Explained

Jacqueline delves into the concept of angel investing, emphasizing its high-risk, high-reward nature. She explains Cherub's functionality, which streamlines connections between accredited investors and startups, fostering meaningful investments without the traditional barriers of cold emailing and limited deal flow.

Notable Quote:

• Jacqueline (21:08): "It's a network return. It's also akin to, like, a luxury purchase."

6. Shifting Business Philosophy and Market Trends

Reflecting on the evolving landscape of media companies, Jacqueline discusses the shift from sponsorship-driven models to more sustainable, audience-driven revenue streams. She critiques the traditional private equity approach of "squeezing" businesses and advocates for a strategy that aligns with the company’s core values and talents.

Notable Quote:

• Jacqueline (12:11): "We missed the concept of growing up with our audience, I think."

7. Lifestyle Changes and Personal Life

Jacqueline shares her approach to managing newfound wealth responsibly, focusing on investments in travel and real estate rather than frivolous expenditures. She recounts a memorable trip to Greece and Italy post-divorce, highlighting the importance of self-care and celebration of personal milestones.

Notable Quote:

• Jacqueline (30:15): "I am living my best life. Like, I was in Rome for, like nine days. It was a music video. It was so, so fun."

8. Dating as a High-Powered Woman

Transitioning to her personal life, Jacqueline discusses the challenges of dating as a successful entrepreneur. She emphasizes the importance of balancing feminine and masculine energies, setting boundaries, and seeking partners who complement her ambitious and flexible lifestyle.

Notable Quote:

• Jacqueline (40:21): "Someone who is ambitious is really important to me. They have their own stuff going on, they have their own life."

9. Conclusion

Morgan and Jacqueline wrap up the episode by reflecting on the continuous nature of the entrepreneurial journey. They encourage listeners to embrace flexibility, seek balance, and recognize that exiting a business is not the end but a transition to new opportunities and personal growth.

Notable Quote:

• Morgan (46:51): "It's okay to run it back. Like, it's okay. Nothing has to be permanent."

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience and Adaptability: Navigating business acquisitions requires emotional and strategic resilience.
• Work-Life Balance: Stepping back from business pressures is crucial for personal well-being and identity.
• Innovation in Angel Investing: Creating platforms like Cherub can democratize access to investment opportunities.
• Personal Growth: Embracing new ventures and personal interests fosters continuous growth beyond entrepreneurial success.
• Healthy Relationships: Setting boundaries and seeking complementary partnerships are vital for maintaining healthy personal relationships.

Listeners gain valuable insights into managing post-exit life, overcoming burnout, and exploring new business ventures, all while maintaining personal well-being and fostering meaningful connections.