A new chapter begins

When Mark and I bought Six Degrees in 2007 (having both worked there for more than a decade) I’m not sure we ever really thought about what the future might hold – we were simply focused on building a great business. Yes, every business owner dreams about that elusive ‘exit’ sometime in the future, but every potential suitor was never quite good enough for our baby.

Until today, that is!

I am thrilled to say that Six Degrees has been acquired by TopLine Comms. Mark and I will remain investors in the combined business, but we are no longer involved day to day. We could not be happier or more confident about Heather Baker taking over the reins – she is one of the smartest people I know, and best of all she cares. 

We know without question that our staff and our clients will be in great (probably even better!) hands with Heather and her team. With Six Degrees and TopLine, there is no doubt the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts. If you are not already familiar with TopLine, go check out the website. The company is just awesome.

Going through the process of selling a business has been enlightening, to say the least. Anyone who has been through it knows, you make yourself vulnerable in a way that rarely happens in the business world. I feel lucky that we were selling to someone I trust implicitly – had that not been the case I can see how so many deals simply fall through. I have experienced the most dramatic whirlwind of emotions throughout the process, and today is no different. 

Mark and I are so proud of everything the team at Six Degrees has achieved. I am excited about what this next chapter will hold for me and my family. I am energised about the next phase of growth in the business. And I am just a little heartbroken that we are saying goodbye to our baby. I know technically it’s not goodbye, as we remain investors, but life as we know it has changed forever.

LinkedIn has formed the heartbeat of my business connections. Thanks to so many of you for always going above and beyond (our staff past and present), for putting your trust in us (our clients), for helping us build a bigger, better and more robust foundation to do our work (our suppliers), for being part of the support network to help us through good times and bad (fellow EOers, friends, family and many, many others). 

For now, I’m going to enjoy some time off.