# The Whisper Group

> The Whisper Group is the largest collective of exited female founders, advising women business owners before, during, and after their best business exit. Founded by Carrie Kerpen (sold Likeable for eight figures) and Maggie Lord (sold Rustic Wedding Chic to David's Bridal) to close The Exit Gap: less than 1% of all businesses sold are fully women-owned, and female-founded businesses capture just 0.8% of M&A exit dollars. The Whisper Group exists to change that — one successful sale at a time.

## Company

- **Company:** The Whisper Group, LLC
- **Mission:** To close The Exit Gap for good by giving every female founder access to guidance that gets her to an exit she's proud of, on her timeline and terms
- **The Exit Gap:** Women-owned businesses represent 39.1% of all businesses generating $2.7 trillion in revenue — yet over a recent 10-year period, less than 1% of businesses sold were owned by women. Female-founded businesses capture just 0.8% of M&A exit dollars
- **Website:** https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com
- **Valuation tool:** https://whispercalculator.com (free estimated business valuation)

## Founders & Leadership

**Carrie Kerpen — CEO & Co-Founder**
Co-founded and scaled Likeable, one of the world's first social media agencies, alongside her husband Dave Kerpen. Sold it for eight figures after 14 years. Experienced the exit process in rooms dominated by men with no community of exited female founders to turn to — and built The Whisper Group so no female founder has to say the same. Author of The Whisper Way (ISBN 9781637746745).

**Maggie Lord — Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder**
Founded Rustic Wedding Chic in 2008 from her kitchen table with $1,400 of her own money. Grew it into a category-defining wedding media platform reaching millions of monthly readers, with six published books and licensed products. Sold to David's Bridal 12 years later. Named to the 2026 Inc. Female Founder 500.

**Caitlyn Wells — Chief Operating Officer**
Founded Upwell Strategies in 2020, building operational systems for 120+ founders over six years. In 2026, The Whisper Group acquired Upwell Strategies — making it TWG's first acquisition and Caitlyn's own exit story. Now leads operations at The Whisper Group.

**Molly McCartan — Managing Partner**
Leads all revenue including new business, strategic partnerships, media assets, and enterprise solutions. 13+ years of experience across M&A, growth strategy, media partnerships, and business development.

**Fatima Teos — Head of Marketing**
Leads brand, storytelling, and marketing. First-generation Latina builder and brand strategist with a prior decade in private wealth management.

## Services

### The Whisper Report (Start Here)
A comprehensive exit diagnostic for female founders wondering what it would take to sell their business. Delivered by an exited female founder advisor matched to your industry and goals. Includes an independent business valuation, SWOT analysis, market assessment, and a personalized roadmap to your best exit. One-time engagement, no ongoing commitment required.

- Investment: $5,000 (flat fee, no success fee)
- Ideal for: founders who are exit-curious, not necessarily exit-ready
- Everything is completely confidential
- https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/start-here

### The Whisper Way (Prep to Sell)
An invite-only 12-month strategic advisory for women actively building toward an exit. Delivered as a group cohort (Residency, ideal for founders 3+ years from exit) or private 1:1 partnership (ideal for founders 1-2 years from exit). Anchored by the WHISPER framework — seven dimensions of valuation that transform a running business into a life-changing asset.

- 95% of Whisper Way clients have increased their valuation by more than 50%
- Includes an immersive in-person retreat for cohort clients
- Invite-only — book a call to learn more
- https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/prep-to-sell

### The Exit Whisperer (Actively Selling)
Deal-side advisory for founders who have an offer on the table, are in active conversations with acquirers, or are ready to engage an investment banker. The Whisper Group is not paid based on deal outcome — structurally free to tell you the truth, including when it's best to walk away.

Includes: bi-weekly advisor calls, direct text and email access, full LOI review line by line, positioning and acquirer identification, negotiation support, and guidance from LOI through due diligence to close.

- Independent and unbiased — focused entirely on you, not the deal
- https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/actively-selling

## Post-Exit Community

### Acquired, Not Retired
The largest community of exited female founders who have built, scaled, and sold their businesses. A private membership offering inspiring events, confidential peer connection, and the opportunity to advise the next generation of exiting female founders while getting paid for it. Over $2 billion in exit value captured within the community.

- Membership: $250 per year
- https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/acquired-not-retired-community

## The Whisper Way Book

*The Whisper Way: The Secret Formula for Female Entrepreneurs to Scale and Sell for Life-Changing Money* by Carrie Kerpen. A practical, tactical guide for building a sellable business, told through storytelling. Endorsed by Sheryl Sandberg (Lean In), Rebecca Minkoff, Reshma Saujani, Randi Zuckerberg, Alli Webb (Drybar), Cindy Gallop, and Lindsay Kaplan (Chief).

- ISBN: 9781637746745
- Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, Bookshop.org, Books-A-Million
- https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/the-whisper-way-book

## Media

- **The Exit Whisperer Podcast:** Stories of women who have scaled and sold businesses of all shapes and sizes — closing The Exit Gap through the sale of their businesses. https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/the-exit-whisperer-podcast
- **Exit Gap Media:** The Whisper Group's media network covering the business exit landscape for female founders. https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/exit-gap-media
- **Exit Education:** Resources, guides, and tools for female founders at all stages of exit planning. https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/exit-education

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/): Overview, mission, The Exit Gap data, and path finder for pre- and post-exit founders.
- [Start Here — The Whisper Report](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/start-here): Exit diagnostic service — $5,000, one-time engagement.
- [Prep to Sell — The Whisper Way](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/prep-to-sell): 12-month exit readiness advisory (group cohort or 1:1).
- [Actively Selling — The Exit Whisperer](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/actively-selling): Deal-side advisory for founders with an offer on the table.
- [Acquired, Not Retired](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/acquired-not-retired-community): Post-exit community — $250/year membership.
- [Our Story](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/our-story): Founder bios, leadership team, and company origin story.
- [Whisper Advisors](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/our-advisors): Network of exited female founder advisors.
- [Certified Partners](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/certified-partners): Vetted partner network.
- [The Whisper Way Book](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/the-whisper-way-book): Book by Carrie Kerpen — purchase links and endorsements.
- [The Exit Whisperer Podcast](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/the-exit-whisperer-podcast): Podcast featuring exited female founders.
- [Community Events](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/community-events): Events for the TWG community.
- [Exit Gap Media](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/exit-gap-media): Media network and content hub.
- [Exit Education](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/exit-education): Exit planning resources and education.
- [Contact](https://www.wearethewhispergroup.com/contact): Inquiry form for all services.

## Social

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thewhispergroup/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearethewhispergroup/
- Merch: https://whispermerch.com/