Special Episode: Inside an Acquisition—The MikMak x SPINS Story + Lessons from BRAVE COMMERCE Leaders
Tue Feb 03 2026
In this special episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter unpack M&A from the inside, drawing upon their experience navigating acquisitions firsthand.
Rachel announces MikMak’s acquisition by SPINS, sharing how it came together, why it was the right partner at the right moment, and her priorities for the first 90 - 180 days, from change management and customer communication to accelerating product innovation. She also reflects on the human side of the acquisition and what it means to support teams through uncertainty and transition.
They also share standout clips from the BRAVE COMMERCE community—featuring Stuart Heflin (Quest Nutrition), Dan O’Leary (Hostess), and Esi Seng (Tate’s Bake Shop)—highlighting what makes acquisitions successful from a brand operator’s perspective—protecting what works, honoring culture, and maintaining a challenger mindset during change.
Key Takeaways
Why integration and change management, not the deal itself, define acquisition successHow to evaluate the right partner for customers, employees, and investorsWhat founders and leaders can do now if M&A is a long-term goalHow to preserve culture and momentum while continuing to deliver for customers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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In this special episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter unpack M&A from the inside, drawing upon their experience navigating acquisitions firsthand. Rachel announces MikMak’s acquisition by SPINS, sharing how it came together, why it was the right partner at the right moment, and her priorities for the first 90 - 180 days, from change management and customer communication to accelerating product innovation. She also reflects on the human side of the acquisition and what it means to support teams through uncertainty and transition. They also share standout clips from the BRAVE COMMERCE community—featuring Stuart Heflin (Quest Nutrition), Dan O’Leary (Hostess), and Esi Seng (Tate’s Bake Shop)—highlighting what makes acquisitions successful from a brand operator’s perspective—protecting what works, honoring culture, and maintaining a challenger mindset during change. Key Takeaways Why integration and change management, not the deal itself, define acquisition successHow to evaluate the right partner for customers, employees, and investorsWhat founders and leaders can do now if M&A is a long-term goalHow to preserve culture and momentum while continuing to deliver for customers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.