Bankruptcy to 9-Figure Exit - An Interview With Brad Pedersen

The Bottom Line with Nicholas Kusmich

Brad Pedersen is the Co-founder of Pela and Lomi, companies focused on creating sustainable, waste-free solutions for the planet. He previously co-founded Basic Fun!, the company behind iconic toy brands like Tonka, Care Bears, and Lite-Brite, selling billions of products globally. With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Brad has navigated both the highs of rapid growth and the lows of challenging setbacks, which he shares in his book Startup Santa. As a speaker and mentor, he champions intentional living, resilience, and purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode…

Few entrepreneurs are willing to navigate failure while maintaining the vision to create something extraordinary. The grind of striving for success often leads to burnout, disconnection, and whether financial success alone is enough to create lasting happiness. How does one turn setbacks into the foundation for success?

According to Brad Pedersen, a seasoned entrepreneur and author, failure is often a hidden gift. He describes his bankruptcies as “inconvenient blessings” that forced him to stop, reflect, and rebuild with greater intention. These lessons fueled his evolution from co-founding a global toy empire to launching sustainable cleantech companies. For Brad, resilience, reinvention, and staying grounded in purpose are the cornerstones of achieving not just business success but also a fulfilling life.

In this episode of The Bottom Line podcast, host Nicholas Kusmich sits down with Brad Pedersen, Co-founder of Pela and Lomi, to discuss his journey from bankruptcy to a nine-figure business exit. They explore the lessons learned from failure, the importance of intentional life design, and how to thrive post-exit. Brad also shares insights on building a legacy and leveraging business as a force for good.