20 Years Old. $100M Exit.

What this video covers

A 20-year-old founder who achieved a $100M exit, discussing the journey and implications of such a significant event in his startup.

Transcript

The lady who baked it all isn't your snowy-haired grandmother. Debra Fields just turned 26. It looks like she should be on a Vogue cover rather than baking up new ideas in her kitchen. A confirmed chocoholic, Mrs. Fields grew up in Oakland. Six years ago, she met Randy Fields, an investment adviser. Obviously, he had the right last name for business, so they married and he supported her initial store. The first day she made $50. Within a year, the Pier 39 operation opened and her chocolate chip success followed. She had resisted expansion initially because of the concern over quality control. All of the ingredients are made to her specifications, shipped pre-measured to each store. She hasn't franchised the operation to ensure that control. Mrs. Fields says her reputation is at stake every day. She's continually making spot checks and has been known to throw out a day's worth of cookies

if they don't meet her standards. Mrs. Fields asked you, "What are these cookies supposed to be?" Soft, chewy, and warm. Okay. I have to be the judge on that. All right. Okay. This is very difficult. They are warm. They are soft. Mhm. I like chewy. You got a hit here. Oh, good. We believe that we need to do something for our community, meaning that it's not how many cookie stores you build, it's what have you done for society. I guess when it's all said and done in my lifetime, if I look behind me and I said, "Have I done something for my community that was worthwhile? Not cookies, but maybe a fundraising event like Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer was the number one largest corporate sponsor." Then I know that I'm succeeding in my life and I

Exit guides to read next

• The Founder's Guide to Strategic Partnerships
• Recapitalizing Your Startup: A Founder's Tactical Guide
• How to Run a Business Auction: A Founder's Guide
• Selling a Business: What Entrepreneurs Must Know
• The LBO Playbook: A Founder's Guide to Buying Businesses
• How to Find Potential Acquirers: A Founder's Guide
• When to Sell Your Company: A Founder's Decision Framework
• Choosing a Startup Exit Strategy: IPO, M&A, or Secondary?
• Early Exit Planning: Essential for Founders? |
• SPACs for Founders: A Guide to the Real Costs & Tradeoffs

All Exit guides

More fundraising videos (422)

• What Is A Convertible Note | Founder Video
• How To Pitch Startup Investors in the US | Founder Video
• Jeff Bussgang: Helping Build A Unicorn And Co-Founding
• Trust Your Gut Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
• Mastering Sales Handling an Angry Customer Story
• Sources Of Funding For Your Business | Founder Video
• Things To Take Care Of Post Startup Funding | Founder Video
• Lisa Falzone: Selling A Company For $250 Million
• Build Your Network How Past Jobs Fuel Future Success
• Bootstrapping vs VC Why We Chose Our Own Path
• Pros And Cons Of Venture Capital | Founder Video
• Anshul Ruparell: $100M+ to Change How Homes Are Sold
• Krish Ramineni: Building A $1 Billion-Company To Provide
• David Metz On Raising $64M So Users Can Withdraw Rewards
• Startup Investors Helping Founders Scale & Crack Codes
• How To Write A Powerful Investor Update | Founder Video
• Mahmoud Abdelkader On Raising Over $100 Million To Make
• Jon Lensing: Building A $1 Billion Telehealth Company That
• Raising Capital Why Ex Founders Are The BEST Investors
• She asked like a CEO | Founder Video
• How To Launch A Business | Founder Video
• Types Of Charts You Should Use In Pitch Decks
• From Bankruptcy to Success My Startup Journey
• Trust is King How Investors REALLY Choose Startups!

Fundraising shorts (217)

• A 7-Year-Old Exposed Walmart | Founder Short
• Unexpected Acquisition Deal | Founder Short
• Startup Fundraising Funnel
• Revolutionary Idea Ahead of Its Time & Lasting Impact
• The Billion-Dollar Age
• Build Fast Product Perfection Is a Myth | Founder Short
• The Truth About Innovation
• 8 Figure Exit Scaling a Business to Enterprise Level

Library · Fundraising articles A–Z · Pitch deck guides