Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, didn’t just survive the boys’ club of business—she doubled her valuation and sold to industry giant Avery. In this episode, she reveals the messy truth about co-founders, the brutal tricks buyers use to wear you down, and why staying passionate after the sale might be the ultimate win. 03:15 – From Basement Idea to Business Plan05:20 – Why Women Exit Workforces to Build Businesses07:00 – Creating a Product That Actually Worked09:00 – Word of Mouth, Mom Blogs & Early Social Media Growth11:20 – Scaling with Smart Partnerships & Summer Camps13:00 – The Challenges of Having 4 Co-Founders15:00 – Bootstrapping vs. Dilution: Why They Said No to Investors17:00 – When Avery Came Knocking: The Unexpected Exit Call19:10 – How They Negotiated Without Burning Bridges21:00 – Avoiding Fatigue & Leaving Money on the Table23:00 – Staying Happy After the Sale (Almost a Decade Later)25:00 – Lessons on Family, Branding & Staying Passionate