Subscribe: 
In this episode of The Exit, Peter Korbel, serial entrepreneur and managing partner at 135 Madison, shares his multifaceted journey from food trucks to tech startups—and ultimately his successful exit from StoreMe an on-demand luggage storage platform acquired by European competitor Stasher. Peter reflects on building early-stage ventures, navigating COVID setbacks, selling strategically, and now advising founders through his consulting work and newsletter, Startup Anatomy.
Key Takeaways
From Food Trucks to Founding
Peter’s entrepreneurial spark began in Washington, D.C. with a vibrant food truck concept that turned an old ice cream truck into a “traveling culinary carnival.” Though the venture ended after six years, it taught him creativity, resilience, and the importance of execution over ideas.
Coworking Pioneer
After a brief stint helping raise $4M for an arts organization, Peter co-founded Blender Workspace—a 15,000-square-foot coworking space in Manhattan. Positioned for professionals seeking a more elevated experience, it was one of the early players in the coworking trend alongside WeWork.
The Spark Behind StoreMe
Inspired by personal pain points, carrying bags around New York and managing Airbnbs without storage options, Peter launched StoreMe in 2017. The app connected travelers with local shops and hotels to store luggage short-term, growing to 600+ partner locations across major U.S. cities.
Bootstrapped Growth & Smart Scrappiness
Peter grew StoreMe by walking into a thousand stores to onboard hosts and hacking local SEO to dominate Google Maps. Despite competition and low transaction values (~$20 per booking), the business became profitable within a year with minimal capital raised.
The COVID Crash & Comeback
Travel shutdowns during the pandemic wiped out nearly all revenue, but Peter rebuilt to 70% capacity as tourism rebounded—proof of his persistence and asset-light model’s flexibility.
The Exit to Stasher
After years of staying close to competitors, Peter sold StoreMe to London-based Stasher in late 2023 (publicly announced in June 2024). The deal combined cash and equity, allowing him to stay invested in the company’s continued growth.
Lessons on Negotiation & Preparation
Keep immaculate financials—Stripe data made his due diligence easy. Engage a lawyer early (his deal was governed under U.K. law), and build a clean data room with key metrics ready. Be transparent, know your KPIs, and understand the acquirer’s incentives.
Personal Catalyst
The passing of Peter’s father, who had been an early supporter, was a turning point. It pushed him to reflect, re-evaluate his goals, and pursue the exit as a step forward.
The Founder Mindset
Peter emphasizes resilience, reinvention, and compound experience: “It’s a hustle—it doesn’t happen overnight.” Every failure, he says, built skills that now serve him in advising founders.
What’s Next – 135 Madison & Startup Anatomy
Post-exit, Peter runs 135 Madison, a consultancy helping startups raise capital and craft investor materials. Through Upwork, he’s completed over $1M in projects and built a global founder network. He also recently launched Startup Anatomy on Substack, spotlighting lesser-known builders creating success online.
Final Advice
Stay organized, stay curious, and never stop iterating. “Entrepreneurship is about resilience—just keep going. Every lesson stacks up to your next big win.”
Personal &/or Company Bio:
Peter Korbel is a seasoned business consultant and tech founder with over 15 years of startup experience, known for turning bold ideas into thriving ventures. With one successful exit to his name, he’s launched and led companies including Washington D.C.’s first food-truck operation, one of the world’s earliest on-demand luggage storage platforms, and Blender Workspace, a high-end co-working hub for entrepreneurs in New York City. A Columbia University graduate with an MBA from The George Washington University, Peter now advises founders and investors across Manhattan and the Bay Area, blending sharp strategy, creative execution, and an unmatched entrepreneurial network.
Website – https://www.135madison.com/
