Steven Findlay – CEO, Noratek Solutions Inc.

In this episode of The Stormy Stories Show, Angela Robertson sits down with Steven Findlay, CEO of Noratek Solutions and founder of CityReporter, to discuss the realities of building and selling a company without outside funding.What started as a municipal inspection software solution grew into a North American business over more than 15 years. Steven shares the journey of bootstrapping CityReporter from the ground up, navigating multiple technology shifts, and ultimately leading a competitive acquisition process that resulted in the successful sale of the company.From managing due diligence, handling competing offers, and negotiating without an M&A advisor, to building the leadership team that made the transaction possible, Steven provides an honest look at what it really takes to prepare a business for exit.This conversation is packed with practical lessons on entrepreneurship, negotiation, resilience, and why the strongest companies are built long before they're sold.Topics discussed:• Building a software company without outside capital• The realities of bootstrapping for over a decade• Preparing a company for acquisition• Negotiating with multiple buyers• The role of relationships during an M&A process• Building a leadership team that can operate without the founder• Lessons learned from a successful exitIf you're a founder, CEO, or entrepreneur considering your next chapter, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.