Want to own a business without starting from scratch? Entrepreneurship through acquisition offers a faster, lower-risk path by buying and growing existing small businesses.
In this short webinar, hosted by UW Professional & Continuing Education, you’ll gain insights from our ETA course instructor Christy M. Johnson and experienced advisers and practitioners Kara Gibson Brzytwa, Aaron Perrine and Nikita Sunilkumar, who’ve successfully navigated the ETA process. They’ll explore what makes ETA an appealing alternative to traditional startups, the key skills and strategies required for success and how you can begin developing your own roadmap toward business ownership.
Part of our Expert Insights webinar series, this hour-long session will include practical tips, personal stories and time for audience Q&A. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur curious about ETA or exploring business ownership, this webinar is the perfect way to gain insight into the field.
Panelists:
Christy M. Johnson
Founder and CEO of Artemis Connection, Christy M. Johnson brings a data-driven yet human-centered approach to strategy and leadership. A former McKinsey engagement manager and award-winning educator, she has led strategic initiatives across industries including venture capital, technology, media,health care and private equity. Johnson holds master’s degrees in business and education from Stanford University and is passionate about sustainable leadership and developing human potential.
Kara Gibson Brzytwa
Kara Gibson Brzytwa is a managing principal and second-generation owner of Exit Equity, where she helps privately held business owners navigate the process of successfully exiting their companies. With experience in valuation, mergers and acquisitions and strategic planning, her team has guided hundreds of businesses through successful transitions across industries including manufacturing, technology and consumer products. Gibson Brzytwa holds an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business, a B.A. from Smith College, is a Certified Business Intermediary and an elected board member of the International Business Brokers Association.
Aaron Perrine
A managing director at Trilogy Search Partners, Aaron Perrine works with entrepreneurs and investors in health care, government services and software. He brings experience from McKinsey & Company and the U.S. Army, and serves on the boards of multiple portfolio companies, including Ennoble Care, Clariti and IT Pipes. Perrine holds a B.A. from Whitman College, a J.D. from the University of Washington and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Nikita Sunilkumar
Nikita Sunilkumar is an entrepreneur-in-residence at Trilogy Search Partners, based in Mercer Island, Washington. She joined Trilogy following a successful exit as CEO of Crown Health, a former Trilogy portfolio company. Prior to her work in entrepreneurship, she was a consultant at Boston Consulting Group and a production engineer at Boeing. Sunilkumar holds a Bachelor’s and master's in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She is passionate about increasing the pipeline of women and minority searchers and supporting inclusive, sustainable career paths in the search community.
Disability Accommodations
To request disability accommodations, contact the UW Disability Services Office at least 10 days in advance at 206-543-6450 (voice), 206-685-7264 (fax) or dso@uw.edu.