From Panama Jungle to $90m Exit - Tyler Handley

NexChapter is the home of unfiltered wisdom from post exit founders. Recorded in The Republic Studio, this show is for founders who are scaling businesses and founders who have sold and are figuring out what the hell happens next. Each episode explores the real story behind the exit, the decisions that mattered, and the personal transition that follows when the deal is done.

NexChapter is the home of unfiltered wisdom from post exit founders. Recorded in The Republic Studio, this show is for founders who are scaling businesses and founders who have sold and are figuring out what the hell happens next. Each episode explores the real story behind the exit, the decisions that mattered, and the personal transition that follows when the deal is done. In this episode, Raman Sehgal sits down with Tyler Handley. Tyler is a Canadian entrepreneur best known for co founding Inkbox, a temporary tattoo technology and brand that redefined self expression. Under Tyler's leadership, Inkbox was one of the fastest growing companies in Canada, culminating in its acquisition by BIC for $90M in 2022. He is now redefining the car freshener category with Olauto, as well as being an active investor and advisor.

What we cover

• Scratching his own itch, travelling to the jungles of Panama with his brother to find the technology behind Inkbox, and turning an unusual idea into a global consumer brand
• Starting with just $15,000, gaming the Kickstarter algorithm, and using scrappiness, technology and branding to create early momentum
• Why timing mattered so much, with tattoos becoming mainstream, Instagram advertising exploding, and venture capital helping unlock growth from $8 million to $20 million
• Building Inkbox with his brother, growing to around $40 million in revenue and 170 people, while developing valuable IP alongside the consumer brand
• The unexpected approach from BIC during a Series B raise, why brand, demographic reach, IP and distribution made the deal compelling, and navigating a legitimate retrade as consumer spending softened
• Life inside a large corporate after the sale, losing decision making power, walking away early, and eventually building a different kind of business designed to serve his life rather than consume it https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerhandley/

Your host Raman Sehgal is the author of the best selling book The Floundering Founder, Toronto Chapter Lead at Post Exit Founders (PEF), investor, and founder of several niche firms and platforms in the pharma and biopharma services space, one of which he sold a majority stake in to private equity. He created NexChapter to capture the hard earned wisdom of founders who have been through an exit and are willing to share what really worked, what surprised them, and what comes next. Connect with Raman.