Durable ETA Chapter Session: Lunch with Desiree Musselman
Join us at Fiddler’s for our monthly ETA lunch series—an open gathering for anyone curious about or actively pursuing Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA). These sessions are designed to bring operators, aspiring buyers, and experienced owners into the same room for honest conversation and shared learning.
This month, we’re joined by Desiree Musselman for a discussion on one of the most overlooked—and most consequential—phases of ETA: what happens after the deal closes.
After an acquisition, both new owners and existing employees are running quiet internal conversations that shape trust, retention, and momentum. Owners may feel pressure to prove themselves or move too quickly. Employees are asking something different: Is this owner safe? Do I still belong here? Should I stay?
When key people leave, the cost is high—lost knowledge, stalled progress, and instability at the moment it matters most.
What we'll cover:
The human side of post-purchase integration: the assumptions, fears, and small behaviors that quietly drive either self-sabotage or stability.
What to watch for, what unintentionally pushes talent away, and how to lead with steadiness during one of the most sensitive phases of ownership.
About the Speaker
Desiree Musselman works with owners and leadership teams navigating change, growth, and uncertainty. Her work focuses on how pressure, decision-making, and human behavior shape trust, performance, and talent retention—especially during critical transition periods like post-acquisition.