How Maggie Turned Her Passion for Plant-Based Living Into a Successful Business Exit

In the fast-paced world of online business, finding the right platform to sell your digital asset can be a daunting task. Maggie, the founder of VegOut, a plant-based food and lifestyle publication, turned to Flippa when she decided it was time to sell. 

Maggie’s story is one of passion, growth, and strategic decision-making leading to a successful exit. Through Flippa, not only did she secure a buyer who met her asking price, but she also got the guidance and support needed to navigate the process with ease.

The Founder’s Story

Maggie’s journey into the world of plant-based living and content creation began in Los Angeles. Inspired by the city’s thriving vegan food scene, she launched VegOut in 2016. What began as a simple dining guide soon expanded into a full-fledged digital platform covering all things vegan and sustainable living. For Maggie, this was more than just a business – it was a personal passion that she transformed into a successful venture.

“I was passionate about showcasing plant-based food, and what started as a restaurant guide grew into something much bigger. I wanted to show people how easy and accessible a vegan lifestyle is.” Maggie explains.

Business Overview

VegOut carved out a unique niche in digital publishing, attracting a loyal, health-conscious audience. The platform generated revenue through affiliate marketing, advertising, and digital products. With partnerships from major networks like Amazon Associates, Impact, and ShareASale, the business became financially stable and grew steadily.

“We diversified our revenue streams early on,” Maggie shares, “and that was crucial for the sustainability of the business. We also built a robust audience that was highly engaged, which was great for both organic growth and monetization.”

• Business: VegOut Magazine
• Industry: Content Site
• Seller: Maggie Ortlieb 
• Profit Margin: 45%
• Sale Platform: Flippa
• Flippa Business Broker Support: Caryl Joanne Nonato

The Exit Challenge

By the time Maggie decided to sell VegOut, the business had grown significantly, and Maggie was ready for a new challenge. Running the business at this stage wasn’t as exciting for her as the early days of building and growing it.

Maggie had explored selling the business on her own in the past but found that potential buyers often undervalued her efforts. “In the past, I had received offers that didn’t reflect the true value of the business,” Maggie says. “I was ready to move on, but I wanted to make sure I was getting a fair deal.”

The Solution

After years of attempting to sell VegOut on her own, Maggie decided to give Flippa a try. She’d heard good things about the platform and was eager to see if it could help her secure the right buyer.

Maggie worked closely with Caryl, a Flippa broker, who guided her through every step of the listing and sales process. “At first, I was skeptical, but Caryl made everything so straightforward. She gave me clear guidance on how to present the business, and the platform’s tools made it so easy to list all the details: financials, audience metrics, and more.”

Within days, Maggie received an offer that met her asking price from a buyer with experience in running content sites – the perfect match for VegOut. At the time of sale, Veg Out’s team had also scaled down to Maggie and just a few freelance writers, none of whom needed to stay on with the new owner. 

Results and Impact

The sale of VegOut to its new owner for $170,000 was a resounding success. The buyer, already experienced in running digital content businesses, seamlessly integrated VegOut’s audience and content, ensuring the continued growth of the platform.

“I was really worried about who would take over and whether they would maintain the integrity of the brand. But the new owner was experienced, and they knew exactly what to do,” Maggie reflects. “The transition was smooth, and I didn’t have to spend months explaining everything. It was fast, efficient, and I was able to move on to my next venture without stress.”

Maggie’s experience with Caryl and the Flippa team exceeded her expectations, and she was able to walk away with the peace of mind that her business was in good hands.

Lessons for Entrepreneurs Looking to Sell Their Business

For aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs, Maggie’s journey offers valuable lessons in both running a business and successfully exiting. 

• Focus on the Business Side Early: Maggie emphasizes the importance of understanding the business side of things from the beginning. While perfection in the product is crucial, knowing how to run and manage the business is just as vital.

“In the beginning, I was so focused on making everything perfect, and while that’s important, it’s equally important to understand the business side of things,” she advises.

• Diversify Your Revenue Streams
  Having multiple income sources, such as affiliate marketing, ads, and digital products, was key to sustaining VegOut. Diversifying revenue helps ensure stability and long-term growth for your business.

Future Plans

Now that Maggie has successfully sold VegOut, she’s embarked on a new venture – a sustainable travel platform. “I’m passionate about helping people travel more sustainably. It’s a natural extension of what I’ve done with VegOut, but now I’m focusing on a new niche.”

Maggie’s new project promises to bring the same level of passion and commitment that she put into VegOut, but with a fresh focus.

“I would definitely use Flippa again in the future. I had a great experience, and I’m looking forward to working with them again when it’s time to sell my next business.”