Why I had to exit my multi million dollar business! | Ft Jade Spooner | The How Story with Tate Zanner
Description
What does it take to walk away from a career at Google and build a business from scratch that skyrockets by 987% in revenue? In this episode of The House Story, we sit down with Jade Spooner, the powerhouse entrepreneur behind Equalution, one of Australia’s most disruptive nutrition and tech companies.
Jade’s journey is anything but traditional—from dropping out of a law degree, to landing a job at Google, to co-founding a data-driven health app that reshaped the wellness industry. With raw honesty and refreshing clarity, she reflects on everything from scaling pains and investor negotiations to burnout, identity loss, and ultimately stepping away from the very business she built.
If you’re interested in startup growth, female entrepreneurship, business exits, wellness tech, and what it really takes to scale a brand, this episode is essential listening.
🚀 Key Highlights:
Why Jade left Google to go all-in on Equalution—and why she never looked back.
The mindset shift from employee to founder—and the steep learning curves that came with it.
How she bootstrapped and scaled Equalution with a co-founder, launching a tech platform that exploded with nearly 1,000% growth.
Inside the Silicon Valley trip that led to their app launch and the pivotal move to a Sydney-based accelerator.
Jade’s thoughts on finding purpose after exiting, navigating the mental toll of leaving your “identity business,” and learning to build a life beyond the brand.
Why self-awareness, grit and clarity of vision are non-negotiable traits for every founder.
Her newest venture in AI-driven business management for online coaches, and how AI is transforming the future of service-based startups.
🧠 Best Quotes From Jade:
“Launching the app changed everything. We saw 987% revenue growth—overnight it became a real business.”
“It’s not just about how to start. No one talks about how to leave your business—even when it’s successful.”
“If you’ve got the itch, scratch it. Don’t wait for perfection. Just start.”
💡 Topics Covered:
Building in the wellness and nutrition space
Using tech to scale service-based businesses
Startup struggles: from co-founder dynamics to capital constraints
Personal development and rediscovering identity post-exit
Leadership, team building, and decision-making at scale
How AI is revolutionising online coaching and founder efficiency
Mental health and managing burnout as a founder
Women in business and building brands with purpose
Whether you're an aspiring founder, business coach, tech enthusiast, or navigating the “what’s next?” phase post-exit, Jade’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and unapologetically chasing your next chapter.
🎧 Listen now to discover why Jade believes the greatest growth often starts at the exact moment you decide to let go—and how you can future-proof your own founder journey.