BoSUSA25 | Raj Mahajan | Fragile Deals, Enduring Lessons

Every SaaS owner/CEO will eventually face an exit, and it is rarely a smooth process since personal, family, and professional life all keep moving while the deal unfolds. Raj will share his journey through growing a company, to a busted sale, unexpected crises, and a creative exit to highlight the habits and mindsets that matter most.

You’ll learn how to navigate the pressures that come with exits, how to factor opportunity cost into every decision, and to reflect on their why.

1. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Fragile Deals:
Enduring Lessons
Every SaaS CEO will face an exit
Exits are fragile and rarely smooth
The lessons are what shapes you
Presentation created by AI. Story lived and delivered by Raj.

2. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
SuperSalon
Acquired 2015
Majority Transaction
Vertical SaaS
Salon industry focused
Growth Vision
Scale, professionalize, invest in product and sales

3. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
The Rise
3x Revenue Growth
Always Profitable
Assemble
Team
Establish
Systems
Optimize
Processes
Scale Growth

4. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
The LOI
1 Multiple Offers
Chose the best one
2 Clean Diligence
Process went smoothly
3 Documentation Underway
Felt like victory

5. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Fragility Appears
Largest Customer
Decided to compete
Buyer Backed Out
Deal collapsed
Equity Value Uncertain
Dream delayed

6. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Q2 2020
1
IP Theft Exposed
Whistleblower revealed theft
2
Lawsuit Filed
Legal battle began
3
COVID Shutdown
Salons closed everywhere
4
Revenue Collapse
70% revenue gone
5
Emotional Unrest
Riots / COVID deaths mount

7. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Pressure Mounts
Competitor Raised
$150mm
VC finds our market
Decision Fatigue
Every decision felt
existential
Opportunity Cost
Every yes meant no to B or C

8. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Turning to the Team
1 Shared the Reality with the SLT
2 They Stepped Up
3 Culture Carried Us

9. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Fork in the Road
Fight Indefinitely
Continue the battle
Split the Business
Choose survivalEmotional
Uncertainty

10. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
The Result
1
Split Company - Settled
Divided the business
2
Settlement & Sale
One side preserved, other sold
3
Above-Market Outcome
Everyone made money
4
Care for All
Customers and team protected

11. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Lesson 1:
Habits Beat Hope
Under Pressure You Fall to Your Habits
Build Them Before the Test Comes

12. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Lesson 2:
Opportunity Cost is Real
Every decision is a trade-off
Every yes is a no to something else
CEOs must name their trade-offs

13. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Lesson 3:
Reality of a Sale
Process is fragile, rarely smooth
Be prepared - It may not work the first time
Waiting carries its own cost

14. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Lesson 4:
My Why
Building People
Joy in development
Culture
Creating environment
Impact
Making difference
This is what made me proud
This is why I'm doing it again

15. Presentation created by AI. Lived and delivered by Raj.
Lesson 5:
Exit Reflection
1Exits are Fragile - Selling nor waiting creates certainty
2Ask why now? Why this buyer? What am I doing next?
3What will you be proud of when it's over?