Building Unbreakable Brands

Building Unbreakable Brands – Episode with Nicole Myles Brook

[00:00] Introduction

Meghan Lynch:
Welcome to Building Unbreakable Brands, the podcast where we talk to business leaders with a generational mindset. I'm Meghan Lynch, a brand strategist and advisor to family businesses, and the founder of Sixpoint Creative. We help generational brands honor their past while evolving for the future.

Today, my guest is Nicole Myles Brook, an entrepreneur, speaker, social enterprise founder, and angel investor. She’s been recognized as a Top 50 CEO in Atlantic Canada and has recently navigated the sale of her family business, Big Eric’s. Nicole has invaluable insights into leadership, business resilience, and company culture. Welcome, Nicole!

Nicole Myles Brook:
Thank you for having me. I’m excited to be here!

[02:15] Selling a Family Business: Lessons from Big Eric’s

Meghan Lynch:
I want to start with the transition you recently went through. You were leading Big Eric’s and preparing it for investment or acquisition over several years. Now that the sale is complete, what stands out as the key factors that made the business attractive to buyers?

Nicole Myles Brook:
There are so many factors that contribute to making a business marketable, but one thing I’ve learned is that no company is ever "perfect", and investors don’t expect it to be. In preparing Big Eric’s for sale, we focused on building resilience, demonstrating our ability to navigate economic changes, and maintaining a strong company culture. Buyers weren’t looking for a business that had everything figured out; they were looking for one that had adaptability and growth potential.

One of the biggest lessons I learned was that sometimes business owners try too hard to make their company “sale-ready.” But buyers often want to see opportunities for growth—a company that still has room to improve gives them a clear vision of where they can add value.

[08:45] What Buyers Look for in an Acquisition

Meghan Lynch:
That’s a great point. I think many business owners believe they need to create a completely polished company, but buyers might actually prefer to see areas where they can make an impact. How did that factor into the negotiations?

Nicole Myles Brook:
Exactly. Buyers look for strategic fit—whether the company complements their portfolio and aligns with their goals. They want to know, "How will this business contribute to our long-term success?" Some buyers want a turnkey operation, but many want room for growth and synergy with their existing resources.

We had to consider what our ideal buyer was looking for. Did they want to expand into a new market? Strengthen their supply chain? Acquire our talent and expertise? Understanding the value proposition from the buyer’s perspective was key.

[15:30] The Role of Company Culture in Business Value

Meghan Lynch:
One thing you’ve mentioned before is that company culture was a huge factor in Big Eric’s success. Can you share more about how that played a role in the sale?

Nicole Myles Brook:
Absolutely. Culture was our secret weapon. We had built an environment where employees felt valued, engaged, and committed to the company’s mission. That doesn’t happen overnight—it takes intentional leadership and alignment around values.

We knew that having a strong, self-sustaining culture made our business more resilient and attractive to buyers. When investors saw that our employees were engaged and that the company wasn’t dependent on one person or a single leadership style, it reassured them that the business could thrive post-sale.

A telling moment for us was when employees turned down higher-paying offers elsewhere because they wanted to stay with us. That showed us that our culture wasn’t just good—it was differentiated and valuable in a competitive market.

[22:00] Leading as a Neurodiverse CEO

Meghan Lynch:
You’ve been open about being neurodiverse and how that has influenced your leadership style. How has that shaped your approach to business?

Nicole Myles Brook:
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult was a turning point for me. It helped me understand why I think the way I do and how I approach challenges differently. Instead of seeing it as a limitation, I leaned into it as a strength—it gave me a unique ability to see patterns, connect ideas, and pivot quickly in high-pressure situations.

I also realized that many people mask parts of themselves at work, trying to fit into expectations rather than embracing their strengths. As a leader, I wanted my team to feel comfortable showing up as their full selves. That mindset shift led to greater engagement, creativity, and trust in our company.

[30:10] Mental Health & Resilience in Leadership

Meghan Lynch:
That’s incredibly powerful. You led the company through major transformations during COVID and beyond. How did you maintain resilience during those high-stress times?

Nicole Myles Brook:
It was incredibly challenging, but I realized that resilience isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being adaptable and leaning on the right people. We ran three major transformation initiatives, one of which we called Project Phoenix after COVID, and another focused on stabilizing and rebuilding before growth. Having clear, actionable phases kept us moving forward even in uncertainty.

I also surrounded myself with a team that embraced problem-solving over fear. I wanted to work with people who were willing to try, even when they weren’t sure of the outcome. That mindset was critical for navigating tough times.

[38:20] Advice for Future Leaders & Entrepreneurs

Meghan Lynch:
As you reflect on your journey, what advice would you give to leaders preparing for a transition—whether selling a business, scaling, or evolving their leadership style?

Nicole Myles Brook:
First, don’t wait until everything is perfect before making a move. Businesses are always evolving, and if you wait until you feel "ready," you might never act.

Second, invest in culture—it will outlast leadership changes, economic shifts, and industry trends.

And finally, embrace your authentic leadership style. People follow real, transparent leaders. Whether you’re neurodiverse, introverted, or think outside the box—lean into what makes you unique and use it as an advantage.

[45:00] Closing Thoughts & How to Connect

Meghan Lynch:
Nicole, thank you for sharing your insights today. Where can people connect with you?

Nicole Myles Brook:
I’m most active on LinkedIn, where I share thoughts on leadership, women in business, and entrepreneurship.

Meghan Lynch:
We’ll link to Nicole’s profile in the show notes. Thanks again for being on the show!

Produced by Six-Point Creative

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