Special Series: From a $100,000 Goal to $1.4 Billion Valuation, Meet BuzzBallz Founder, Merrilee Kick

In this special episode, we catch up with Merrilee Kick, founder and CEO of BuzzBallz Southern Champion, and one of the winners of the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Businesses. At the age of 48, Merrilee Kick transformed a side project into a billion-dollar business. BuzzBallz Southern Champion is now the only women-owned distillery, winery, and brewery combination in the U.S., with products sold in all 51 states and 21 countries. Merrilee comes back on the podcast to share her journey through a whirlwind 28-day acquisition deal, how she continues to drive growth as CEO post-sale, and her vision to scale the business to $5 billion. Tune in to learn how she built generational wealth, expanded internationally, and redefined what’s possible for women entrepreneurs starting later in life.  

The key moments in this episode are:

• 04:39 - Starting a Business at 48
• 08:33 - Selling the Business
• 10:11 - Choosing the Right Buyer
• 13:44 - Successful Acquisition 
• 14:51 - The Decision to Sell the Company
• 16:17 - Catapulting the Company's Growth
• 17:42 - Life as a CEO Post-Acquisition
• 21:46 - Sharing Buzz Balls Everywhere 
  
  

Links:

• Listen back to our first episode with Merrilee Kick: https://members.theknowwomen.com/podcasts/31

• Stay connected and become a KNOW Insider. Go behind the scenes, access Insider-Only content, masterclasses, and more: https://theknowwomen.com/

• Learn more about BuzzBallz: https://www.buzzballz.com/ 

• More on JPMorgan Chase: jpmorganchase.com

• Learn about Women Presidents Organization: women-presidents.com

 

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Sponsors:

KNOW is proud to be the media partner for the Women Presidents Organization and the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Businesses.

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Podcast Production:

Produced by our friends at The Found House.