Stephen Critchlow built and sold not just one, but two companies. One to a major healthcare software firm, and another that developed wind farms. Both were highly profitable exits. But what happened after the sale?

In this powerful and honest conversation, Rachel and Stephen explore the real story behind the headlines: what it feels like to walk away from a company you've poured decades of your life into, the identity crisis that can follow, and why the biggest exit of your life might leave you feeling completely empty.

Together, they dive into:

What Stephen calls the Bermuda Triangle of Business Growth and why most companies never make it throughHow to know if you are the right person to scale your business past 20–40 peopleThe crushing emotional aftermath of selling a company and losing your purposeWhy Stephen regrets the timing of his exit from Ascribe and how losing board control changed everythingWhat founders must consider before they sell (hint: it’s not the number)Why his second exit - a wind farm company - was faster and more lucrative than his firstHow Evergreen Life is using AI, DNA and GP-linked data to add years to people's healthy life expectancyAnd why Stephen believes this UK tech company can rival the likes of Amazon and Google

This isn’t a story about success. It’s a story about intention. About building something that matters, walking away too soon, and then finding the clarity to start again, with purpose at the centre.

You can follow more of Stephen below

LinkedIn

Got a story to tell about your exit?Email us at ⁠exiteerspodcast@gmail.com⁠

-

More of Rachel Murphy

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠X⁠

⁠The Grafter

Episode ID: 1000706369756

GUID: 7d636d7b-d0c0-4c59-a746-e66d5df350c7

Release Date: 04/05/2025, 12:06:00