Episode 232In this episode, Anne Mahlum, the founder of Solidcore walks us through her journey from launching Back on My Feet to scaling Solidcore from a single studio to 100+ locations, including the fundraising playbook that raised over $200M. She shares the toughest growth challenges, how she preserved culture during rapid expansion, the moment that reframed her view of success and failure, and why she chose to share millions from the sale with employees. Practical exit-planning advice, leadership lessons, and the founder’s next projects round out a candid conversation about building purpose-driven, scalable businesses.GuestThe beginning of Anne’s Mahlum entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2007, she found herself running by a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. She engaged the shelter to start a running club, which she quickly transformed into a national non-profit called Back on My Feet. The organization, now with an $8M annual budget, uses running as a vehicle to help those experiencing homelessness become empowered to change their lives. Under Anne’s leadership as CEO, she grew the organization to 14 cities. Since its inception, Back on My Feet has helped thousands of individuals achieve employment and more self-sufficient living. But Anne didn’t stop there. She created success again when she founded pilates-inspired solidcore in 2013. As its founder and CEO, she grew it into one of the country’s most successful fitness companies in less than a decade by raising more than $200M through private equity to scale it to more than 115 locations across the U.S. The company currently has thousands of employees and hundreds of thousands of clients across 30 states, including former First Lady Michelle Obama Anne successfully exited [solidcore] in April 2013 and shared millions with her employees after sale.A true self-made success story, Anne’s entrepreneurial ventures have resulted in a personal net worth of over $100M. Anne has been honored many times for her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Most recently, she was featured by CNBC for her continued success over the years. She has also been recognized by the Washington Business Journal as a ‘ Women Who Mean Business’ winner, and was named both an ABC World News Person of the Week and a CNN Hero for her work at Back on My Feet. She has given three TEDx talks about finding your passion, letting go of your complacency, and helping others. She has also received notable media attention highlighting her talent, including articles in CNBC, The Washington Post, The Washington Business Journal and Runner’s World.HostOlyasha Novozhylova @notbasicblonde_NotBasicBlonde Podcast @nbbpodcast
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Episode 232In this episode, Anne Mahlum, the founder of Solidcore walks us through her journey from launching Back on My Feet to scaling Solidcore from a single studio to 100+ locations, including the fundraising playbook that raised over $200M. She shares the toughest growth challenges, how she preserved culture during rapid expansion, the moment that reframed her view of success and failure, and why she chose to share millions from the sale with employees. Practical exit-planning advice, leadership lessons, and the founder’s next projects round out a candid conversation about building purpose-driven, scalable businesses.GuestThe beginning of Anne’s Mahlum entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2007, she found herself running by a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. She engaged the shelter to start a running club, which she quickly transformed into a national non-profit called Back on My Feet. The organization, now with an $8M annual budget, uses running as a vehicle to help those experiencing homelessness become empowered to change their lives. Under Anne’s leadership as CEO, she grew the organization to 14 cities. Since its inception, Back on My Feet has helped thousands of individuals achieve employment and more self-sufficient living. But Anne didn’t stop there. She created success again when she founded pilates-inspired solidcore in 2013. As its founder and CEO, she grew it into one of the country’s most successful fitness companies in less than a decade by raising more than $200M through private equity to scale it to more than 115 locations across the U.S. The company currently has thousands of employees and hundreds of thousands of clients across 30 states, including former First Lady Michelle Obama Anne successfully exited [solidcore] in April 2013 and shared millions with her employees after sale.A true self-made success story, Anne’s entrepreneurial ventures have resulted in a personal net worth of over $100M. Anne has been honored many times for her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Most recently, she was featured by CNBC for her continued success over the years. She has also been recognized by the Washington Business Journal as a ‘ Women Who Mean Business’ winner, and was named both an ABC World News Person of the Week and a CNN Hero for her work at Back on My Feet. She has given three TEDx talks about finding your passion, letting go of your complacency, and helping others. She has also received notable media attention highlighting her talent, including articles in CNBC, The Washington Post, The Washington Business Journal and Runner’s World.HostOlyasha Novozhylova @notbasicblonde_NotBasicBlonde Podcast @nbbpodcast
Never Date A Broke Dude: The Financial Freedom Playbook - Meet Pattie Ehsaei
NotBasicBlonde Podcast
34 minutes
3 months ago
Never Date A Broke Dude: The Financial Freedom Playbook - Meet Pattie Ehsaei
Eps: 225In this episode, the author of Never Date a Broke Dude to unpack why money and dating collide—and why that conversation matters. We trace the moment the book was born, her journey from debt to multi‑millionaire (including three non‑negotiable financial rules), and practical advice for bringing up finances early in a relationship. We also cover warning signs to watch for, the influence of upbringing on money habits, what financial health beyond income looks like, and why commitment fears persist. Tune in for blunt, actionable guidance aimed at shifting dating standards and starting real conversations about money and partnership.GuestKnown as "The Duchess of Decorum" by her IMM followers, Pattie Ehsaei https://www.tiktok.com/@duchessofdecorum has established herself as one of the leading financial experts today. Pattie's TikTok teachings on female equality in the workplace, financial literacy, workplace decorum and financial independence for women have over 7.9MM likes-answering questions such as"How do I maintain financial independence in a relationship?" "How do I make and keep a budget?" "How do I maintain my power in the workplace?" "How do I ask for a raise?" "How do I navigate male-dominated industries?" These are the type of questions that Pattie provides real and honest answers to, that keep her fans begging for more.Born in Iran, the Persian beauty moved to Los Angeles as a youth and has spent the last 20 years in a multifaceted career in finance. From managing divisions of banking institutions, business development, investment banking, and raising capital from sovereign wealth funds in private equity, Pattie has seen all sides of the industry and has quickly become an authority in this space.A lawyer by trade and currently a Director of Mergers & Acquisitions financing for a major financial institution, Pattie is the perfect example of "tough, but fair" and believes that success comes from information and empowerment.Pattie's direct approach peppered with levity and some real takeaway made her an instant success and a highly sought-after speaker. She has delivered keynote addresses for numerous platforms and organizations including Create & Cultivate, Iranian American Women's Foundation, Women's Investment Summit, the New England Women in Banking & Mortgage Conference, and the University of Denver STEM Program. She's also been a panelist for events that inspire the next generation of women such as the Meet Me in Malibu Influencer Panel.Pattie's voice can also be seen in print on Forbes.com and MSNBC where she shares her wisdom as a financial contributor. On May 6, 2025, Pattie released her highly anticipated book, Never Date A Broke Dude: The Financial Freedom Playbook. In this book, Pattie gives readers practical advice on finance, romance, and breaks down exactly why "a man is not a financial plan!"HostOlyasha Novozhylova @notbasicblonde_NotBasicBlonde Podcast @nbbpodcast
NotBasicBlonde Podcast
Episode 232In this episode, Anne Mahlum, the founder of Solidcore walks us through her journey from launching Back on My Feet to scaling Solidcore from a single studio to 100+ locations, including the fundraising playbook that raised over $200M. She shares the toughest growth challenges, how she preserved culture during rapid expansion, the moment that reframed her view of success and failure, and why she chose to share millions from the sale with employees. Practical exit-planning advice, leadership lessons, and the founder’s next projects round out a candid conversation about building purpose-driven, scalable businesses.GuestThe beginning of Anne’s Mahlum entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2007, she found herself running by a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. She engaged the shelter to start a running club, which she quickly transformed into a national non-profit called Back on My Feet. The organization, now with an $8M annual budget, uses running as a vehicle to help those experiencing homelessness become empowered to change their lives. Under Anne’s leadership as CEO, she grew the organization to 14 cities. Since its inception, Back on My Feet has helped thousands of individuals achieve employment and more self-sufficient living. But Anne didn’t stop there. She created success again when she founded pilates-inspired solidcore in 2013. As its founder and CEO, she grew it into one of the country’s most successful fitness companies in less than a decade by raising more than $200M through private equity to scale it to more than 115 locations across the U.S. The company currently has thousands of employees and hundreds of thousands of clients across 30 states, including former First Lady Michelle Obama Anne successfully exited [solidcore] in April 2013 and shared millions with her employees after sale.A true self-made success story, Anne’s entrepreneurial ventures have resulted in a personal net worth of over $100M. Anne has been honored many times for her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit. Most recently, she was featured by CNBC for her continued success over the years. She has also been recognized by the Washington Business Journal as a ‘ Women Who Mean Business’ winner, and was named both an ABC World News Person of the Week and a CNN Hero for her work at Back on My Feet. She has given three TEDx talks about finding your passion, letting go of your complacency, and helping others. She has also received notable media attention highlighting her talent, including articles in CNBC, The Washington Post, The Washington Business Journal and Runner’s World.HostOlyasha Novozhylova @notbasicblonde_NotBasicBlonde Podcast @nbbpodcast
