What happens after you sell the business that defined you?
In this episode of Built to Sell | Built to Buy, Sam Penny sits down with Gabby Montagnese — the founder behind New Age Caravans — to unpack one of the most compelling comeback stories in Australian manufacturing.
Gabby scaled New Age into one of the country’s top RV brands before bringing in Walkinshaw and ultimately exiting. But what followed wasn’t the typical “ride off into the sunset” moment.
Instead, she stepped back into the arena.
This time, acquiring Bruder — a premium, highly innovative caravan brand that, depending on who you ask, was either under pressure… or massively misunderstood.
This is a raw, honest conversation about:
- what really happens when you lose control of your business
- the emotional and strategic reality of exiting
- and what it takes to come back and buy again
🔑 What You’ll Learn
- Why Gabby brought in Walkinshaw — and what didn’t go to plan
- The moment she realised: “This doesn’t feel like mine anymore”
- The biggest mistakes she made during her exit (and what she’d do differently)
- What really happens to your identity after you sell
- Why most founders underestimate partnerships
- What was actually going on inside Bruder before the acquisition
- How she structured and executed the deal in just a few months
- The difference between building vs buying a business
- Why her definition of success has completely changed
🚐 The Bruder Acquisition — What’s Really Going On
From the outside, Bruder looked like it was under pressure.
Gabby addresses it directly:
- High-cost products ($300K–$500K range)
- Cash flow strain
- Overextension across multiple priorities
Her perspective?
👉 The product was world-class
👉 The business needed operational and financial support
👉 The business needed operational and financial support
This wasn’t just an acquisition.
It was a strategic intervention.
It was a strategic intervention.
🧠 Founder Insight
One of the most powerful moments in the episode:
“I wouldn’t have exited… I would have done the deal differently.”
And this:
“You think people are there for you… but sometimes they’re there for what you have.”
This episode is as much about self-awareness as it is about business.
🔥 Key Takeaway
Before you bring in capital…
Before you sell…
Before you buy…
Before you sell…
Before you buy…
👉 Get clear on your “why”
Because if that’s unclear, everything that follows will be too.
🌍 Links & Resources
- Full blog breakdown:
👉 https://sampenny.com/gabby-montagnese - Bruder RV:
👉 https://bruderrv.com - Destination Unknown Group:
👉 https://destinationunknowngroup.com - Frank Montagnese Foundation:
👉 https://frankmontagnesefoundation.com
🎧 About the Show
Built to Sell | Built to Buy is for founders who want to scale with purpose, maximise valuation, and make smarter decisions — whether they’re building, exiting, or acquiring.
Hosted by Sam Penny.
