# Getting Acquired: What Actually Happens + the Identity Loss No One Prepares You For ft Mikhailla from 26 Talent

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/built-to-lead-7706683/getting-acquired-what-actually-happens-the-identity-loss-no-one-prepares-you-for-ft-mikhailla-from-26-talent
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/built-to-lead-7706683/getting-acquired-what-actually-happens-the-identity-loss-no-one-prepares-you-for-ft-mikhailla-from-26-talent.md
Podcast: [Built To Lead](https://stenobird.com/podcast/built-to-lead-7706683)
Published: 2026-08-24T19:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/TBC6676064613.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/TBC6676064613.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/built-to-lead-7706683/episodes/getting-acquired-what-actually-happens-the-identity-loss-no-one-prepares-you-for-ft-mikhailla-from-26-talent
Duration seconds: 1461

## Resource

From running two successful marketing businesses to shutting one down and selling the other, Mikhailla Fitzgerald has lived through the parts of leadership most founders don’t talk about.Today I’m sitting down with Mikhailla, Founder of 26 Talent Agency which was acquired and changed to Huume. Mikhailla is getting real on what actually happens when you sell your business, including how decisions get made before you feel ready, what it does to your team, and the identity loss that finally hits after the deal is done.You’ll hear: 0:00 - How to spot a real business opportunity before you feel ready2:27 - Why shutting down Mikhailla’s ‘safer’ business was one of the best decisions she made4:36 - The key to making BIG businesses decisions even when you’re not 100% sure yet5:27 - Can there truly be balance when you run a business and have a young family?7:00 - Why acquisition conversations can (and should) happen before you’re even thinking of selling9:00 - How to protect your team when you’re starting to sell your business10:20 - Who you actually to hire during an acquisition and why it might change the outcome completely13:55 - What does Mikhailla’s role look like now that the business doesn’t depend on her?15:23 - The truth behind what it’s like to manage influencers16:16 - How to hire for people management roles without wasting weeks of your time interviewing19:30 - The identity loss no one prepares you for after selling your business22:30 - The hire Mikhailla would make if she had to rebuild her team from the beginningIf you want more of Mikhailla then head over to IG @mikhailla or reach out to her on LinkedIn here.If you want help building your offshore team, send me a message over at @jesswhatman_agentsync - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jesswhatman_agentsync/⁠ Find out…

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