Chang Kim on Selling for $510M, Taking a Sabbatical, and Redefining Success
- Kyle Winder
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
From CEO to observer, Chang Kim explains the emotional shift of exiting after a $510M deal and taking time to rediscover himself.
About This Episode
Chang Kim, friends call him CK—sold his company Tapas for more than $500 million and walked away without an earn-out.
Instead of jumping into his next venture, he did something few founders have the nerve to do: he took a year off.
In this episode of Built to Sell Radio, Chang Kim opens up about what life looks like when work becomes a choice, not a requirement.
From cross-continental travel to difficult conversations with his kids about wealth, this is a rare, candid look at what happens after the wire hits.
Listen now to discover how to:
Navigate the emotional shift from operator to observer
Design a sabbatical that strengthens family ties and personal clarity
Overcome the guilt of drawing from your “capital iceberg”
Avoid identity loss by gradually exiting the day-to-day
Set expectations with friends who see your free time as their opportunity
Prepare your kids to grow up grounded—even if they Google your net worth
Decide when it’s time to get back in the game
This is part of our After the Deal series, exploring the opportunities and challenges that come when you finally step off the treadmill.
About Our Guest
Chang Kim
Chang Kim is a seasoned entrepreneur and product visionary, best known as the Founder and CEO of Tapas Media, a mobile storytelling platform acquired by Kakao Entertainment in 2021.
With a background that bridges Silicon Valley and Seoul, Chang has held key product leadership roles at companies like Google, where he worked on Blogger, and TNC (a blog platform acquired by Google), which he co-founded.
Over the past decade, Chang has been at the forefront of digital media innovation, building platforms that empower creators and redefine how stories are shared and consumed online.
His unique perspective on cross-cultural entrepreneurship, content monetization, and product-market fit has made him a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the tech and media space.
Definitions
Due-Diligence: This is a comprehensive appraisal of a business or investment undertaken before a merger, acquisition, or investment. It seeks to validate the information provided and uncover any potential risks or liabilities.
Earn-out: This is a financing arrangement for the purchase of a business, where the seller must meet certain performance goals before receiving the full purchase price. It reduces the buyer’s risk and aligns the interests of both parties post-acquisition.
Letter of Intent (LOI): This document outlines the basic terms and conditions of a deal before a formal agreement is drawn up. It serves as a mutual commitment between the buyer and the seller to move forward with the transaction on the agreed-upon terms.
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