Selling a business isn’t just about the numbers, it’s about values, alignment, and reclaiming time for what matters. For Ellis Ekham, founder of the D2C brand Patty Nails, exiting wasn’t a financial decision alone. It was a creative and personal one.
In this Deal Closers episode, hosted by Nate Lind, Ellis shares his entrepreneurial evolution: from launching CPG brands to building Patty Nails, and ultimately recognizing when to hand the reins to someone more aligned with the product niche. Guided by broker Paul Volen and Website Closers’ expansive buyer network, Ellis turned a reflective year-end decision into a successful seven-figure deal, proving that timing, passion, and process matter in equal parts.
While Patty Nails was profitable and operationally sound, Ellis realized he lacked a deep connection with the cosmetics niche. As a founder still passionate about D2C and running another brand he personally resonated with, Ellis concluded that Patty deserved a new owner who loved the product and space. His decision was rooted in founder-product fit: “If you’re not passionate about building it every day, you shouldn’t be the one scaling it.”
One of Ellis’s biggest concerns was time. He didn’t want selling the business to become a full-time job, especially since he was still actively running operations. Past experience with another brokerage left him frustrated, bogged down by slow progress and lack of updates. With Website Closers, speed of communication and respect for his time became major factors that restored his trust in the process.
Ellis initially discovered Website Closers through online research and social media. After talking to several firms, it was Paul Volen’s low-pressure, professional demeanor that stood out. What sealed the deal? Website Closers’ unmatched buyer network. Within weeks, 106 NDAs were signed, 7 buyer-seller calls were conducted, and 3 offers (LOIs) emerged. Paul guided Ellis through each, balancing founder freedom with expert guardrails, ensuring the right deal without overwhelm.
Given the brand’s price point, the most serious prospects were individual buyers, many using SBA loans to finance the acquisition. Some were first-time entrepreneurs seeking a proven eCom brand, while others were strategic buyers adding to their portfolio. Website Closers filtered the list, putting only the most serious buyers in touch with Ellis, saving him countless hours of screening.
With Website Closers and Paul Volen, Ellis didn’t just exit, he exited smart. The brokerage’s experience, buyer relationships, and sharp deal management gave Ellis the outcome he wanted without compromising his time or values. Today, Ellis is building something more aligned with his lifestyle and long-term goals, and thanks to his successful exit, he has the freedom to do it fully on his terms.
If you’re a founder considering your own transition, this episode proves that with the right broker, your business can find the right hands, and you can find your next chapter with clarity and confidence.
In this episode of ‘Deal Closers’, Ellis Ekham, serial founder and CEO of Patty Nails, shares what it’s like to exit a profitable eCommerce brand that no longer aligns with your vision. From navigating slow brokerages to finding the right buyer fit, Ellis opens up about how Website Closers helped him close the deal the right way.
Here are three key takeaways from the episode:
1. Founder Fit Matters More Than Profit Alone: Ellis realized that despite healthy margins, he wasn’t personally invested in the product niche. His exit was driven by the desire to build something more authentic and that’s a strategic move founders shouldn’t ignore.
2. Time is a Founder’s Most Valuable Asset: Ellis was still running the company during the sale. What made Website Closers stand out was the ability to manage the heavy lifting—communications, buyer vetting, and LOIs, without bogging him down in admin.
3. A Broker’s Network Makes All the Difference: 106 signed NDAs. 7 vetted buyer calls. 3 offers. Paul Volen’s methodical approach gave Ellis real options—and the confidence that his business was being handled by professionals who respect both buyers and sellers.
The episode underscores a key truth for founders: passion isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a growth driver. When your heart’s no longer in the business, it shows in the brand, the operations, and the future potential.
In conclusion, the Deal Closers episode featuring Ellis Ekham is a call to action for entrepreneurs to reassess alignment and long-term fit. With the right timing, the right buyer, and a broker like Website Closers, selling your business can unlock more than liquidity; it can unlock the freedom to build what truly energizes you next.
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