Succession Stories Podcast

Insights from transition to transaction — from creating value to letting go.

Why Is Business Succession So Hard?

The award-winning podcast, hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa™, M&A advisor, author, and keynote speaker, guides entrepreneurs who are considering leaving their ventures or simply beginning to think about their next steps. When you’re ready to sell, the company may not be sell-ready–leaving you out of time and unrewarded. If you want to create a more valuable business, or determine the best way to transition your closely held company, this podcast is for you. Listen weekly as Laurie interviews entrepreneurs and experts for insights to improve company value and overcome the challenges of succession.

New Episodes Available Weekly On:

Preparing for a Successful Exit with Business Transition Insights, Laurie Barkman on the DealQuest Podcast

Preparing for a Successful Exit with Business Transition Insights, Laurie Barkman on the DealQuest Podcast

Laurie Barkman returns to the DealQuest Podcast with host Corey Kupfer to share her expertise in mastering business transitions and exit strategies. ...more

Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan

August 07, 20240 min read

How to Make Your Business More Valuable, Laurie Barkman on Marketing The Invisible

How to Make Your Business More Valuable, Laurie Barkman on Marketing The Invisible

Is succession planning something you keep pushing aside? It’s time to bring it to the forefront. ...more

Succession Stories ,Improving Company Value

August 05, 20241 min read

How To Build With The Exit in Mind, Laurie Barkman on Practical Leadership Podcast

How To Build With The Exit in Mind, Laurie Barkman on Practical Leadership Podcast

In this episode, we dive into the crucial topic of building a business with the end in mind. Laurie Barkman, author of “The Business Transition Handbook” and a seasoned Business Transition Sherpa™ joi... ...more

Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan

August 05, 20241 min read

Overcoming Succession Pitfalls, Laurie Barkman on Work At Home Rockstars

Overcoming Succession Pitfalls, Laurie Barkman on Work At Home Rockstars

In this episode of the Work at Home Rockstar podcast, Laurie Barkman, also known as the Business Transition Sherpa, joins host Tim Melanson. Laurie shares her journey of becoming a CEO, the challenges... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

June 18, 20241 min read

Top 8 Questions to Prepare for When Selling Your Business: A Guide for Entrepreneurs

Top 8 Questions to Prepare for When Selling Your Business: A Guide for Entrepreneurs

Selling your business can be a daunting process, especially when you’re faced with a barrage of questions from potential buyers. This stage is critical as it can determine the success of your sale and... ...more

Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition

June 17, 20245 min read

Lazy CEO Podcast, Business Transitions and Liquidity Events

Lazy CEO Podcast, Business Transitions and Liquidity Events

In this episode of The Lazy CEO Podcast, host Jim Schleckser discusses the topic of liquidity events and business transitions with expert Laurie Barkman from the Business Transition Sherpa. Laurie sha... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

June 13, 20242 min read

Authorpreneur Podcast Episode #12, Laurie Barkman

Authorpreneur Podcast Episode #12, Laurie Barkman

In this episode of The Authorpreneur Podcast, Laurie sits down with our host, Chris Green, to discuss the inspiration behind her book and how it has become a valuable resource for business owners navi... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

May 28, 20241 min read

How to Maximize Your Business Value – In Just 7 Minutes, Laurie Barkman on Marketing The Invisible

How to Maximize Your Business Value – In Just 7 Minutes, Laurie Barkman on Marketing The Invisible

If you’ve ever wondered how to secure a profitable and worry-free exit for your business, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we delve into the strategies and secrets of shaping your business in... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

August 17, 20231 min read

Avoiding Succession Pitfalls, Laurie Barkman on Exit Readiness Podcast

Avoiding Succession Pitfalls, Laurie Barkman on Exit Readiness Podcast

As with any strategic planning it’s as important to know what pitfalls to avoid as much as it is what actions to take or put in place. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

August 08, 20231 min read

Insights from The Business Transition Sherpa, The Real Business Podcast

Insights from The Business Transition Sherpa, The Real Business Podcast

In this episode, MassMutual‘s Brian Trzcinski welcomes Laurie Barkman, aka “The Business Transition Sherpa” to discuss some key topics from her book The Business Transition Handbook. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

June 12, 20230 min read

How to Get Clients With Big Exits, Laurie Barkman on Growing Your Financial Business The Woman’s Way Podcast

How to Get Clients With Big Exits, Laurie Barkman on Growing Your Financial Business The Woman’s Way Podcast

If you’re not working with clients looking to exit their businesses, you may want to start. There is an incredible opportunity for advisors in the M&A space. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Exit Value

February 09, 20232 min read

Avoiding Pitfalls From Business Transition to Transaction, Part 2 – Laurie Barkman on Your Partner in Success Radio

Avoiding Pitfalls From Business Transition to Transaction, Part 2 – Laurie Barkman on Your Partner in Success Radio

Laurie Barkman joined host Denise Griffitts on Your Partner In Success Radio as a follow-up to discuss avoiding pitfalls from business transition to transaction. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

January 22, 20231 min read

From Transition to Transaction: Avoiding Ownership Pitfalls, With Laurie Barkman – Business Creators Radio Show

From Transition to Transaction: Avoiding Ownership Pitfalls, With Laurie Barkman – Business Creators Radio Show

Every beginning has an end. The question is, will yours cash out or fizzle out? You started your business for the freedom that comes with running your own company. The freedom to earn what you deserv... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

January 01, 20232 min read

The Keys to A Successful Business Exit with Laurie Barkman, SmallDotBig – Beyond 8 Figures Podcast

The Keys to A Successful Business Exit with Laurie Barkman, SmallDotBig – Beyond 8 Figures Podcast

If you’ve built a successful business, you’ll already know that it requires a lot of time, planning, and effort. But do you know what it takes to conduct a successful business exit? ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value Sell or Transition &Buying a Business

December 30, 20222 min read

Best Practices for Exit Planning and M&A strategies, Laurie Barkman on the Enterprising Families Podcast with Tsitsi Mutendi

Best Practices for Exit Planning and M&A strategies, Laurie Barkman on the Enterprising Families Podcast with Tsitsi Mutendi

Laurie Barkman joined Tsitsi Mutendi on the Enterprising Families Podcast. Listen in as Laurie shares on best practices for exit planning and M&A strategies as well as the emotional side of business t... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

December 30, 20221 min read

Transition “Sherpa” Laurie Barkman On How To Create A Successful Liquidity Event – Deep Wealth Podcast

Transition “Sherpa” Laurie Barkman On How To Create A Successful Liquidity Event – Deep Wealth Podcast

“If a third party sale is in your future, why not set it up for success and then work backwards” – Laurie Barkman Laurie joins host Jeffrey Feldberg on the Deep Wealth Podcast where you learn how to ... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

November 28, 202242 min read

Avoiding Pitfalls From Business Transition to Transaction – Your Partner In Success™ Radio!

Avoiding Pitfalls From Business Transition to Transaction – Your Partner In Success™ Radio!

Laurie Barkman joined host Denise Griffitts on Your Partner In Success Radio! to discuss how to avoid pitfalls from business transition to transaction. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

November 28, 20221 min read

Disruptive Successor Show – Business Transition with Jonathan Goldhill

Disruptive Successor Show – Business Transition with Jonathan Goldhill

In this episode of The Disruptive Successor show, Laurie Barkman, CEO, and Founder of SmallDotBig, joined Jonathan to discuss how to help business owners add value to their businesses and successions.... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value & Strategic Planning

September 23, 202247 min read

Position Your Business to Sell, Franchise Woman Podcast

Position Your Business to Sell, Franchise Woman Podcast

Business transition sherpa, Laurie Barkman of SmallDotBig, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

September 04, 20220 min read

Successful Business Exits – Guts, Grit and Great Business Podcast

Successful Business Exits – Guts, Grit and Great Business Podcast

Laurie Barkman joins Heather Pearce Campbell, The Legal Website Warrior® on the, Guts, Grit & Great Business Podcast, to discuss Successful Business Exits. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

September 04, 20222 min read

How to Build a Business Transition Plan with Laurie Barkman on The Small BizChat Podcast

How to Build a Business Transition Plan with Laurie Barkman on The Small BizChat Podcast

Laurie Barkman joins Melinda Emerson, SmallBizLady, to discuss the idea of business acquisitions from both the seller’s and the buyer’s perspectives. Laurie tells us how you can identify the risks in ... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

August 15, 20222 min read

Grow a Small Business Podcast

Grow a Small Business Podcast

Troy Trewin, Host of Grow a Small Business Podcast interviews Laurie Barkman, CEO and Founder of SmallDotBig, based in Pittsburgh, United States. Laurie set up her ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

June 12, 20221 min read

Increase Your Business Value with Laurie Barkman, Profit Answer Man Podcast

Increase Your Business Value with Laurie Barkman, Profit Answer Man Podcast

80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Exit Value

June 12, 20221 min read

The Process of Letting Go, Find Your Exit Podcast

The Process of Letting Go, Find Your Exit Podcast

The exit process is nuanced but sometimes it comes down to simply knowing how to let go. How to move on from what you’ve built your whole career and into the next phase of your life. Laurie Barkman ha... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

June 12, 20221 min read

How2Exit Podcast, Acquisition Entrepreneurship

How2Exit Podcast, Acquisition Entrepreneurship

How2Exit Host Ronald Skelton interviews M&A industry experts and mentors from around the world to talk about acquisitions and mergers of small to medium businesses. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value Sell or Transition &Buying a Business

May 08, 20221 min read

Buy Side Considerations, Exit Readiness Podcast

Buy Side Considerations, Exit Readiness Podcast

Laurie Barkman discusses when M&A acquisitions may be part of your strategy for growth and building value. Listen in as she talks with hosts Pat Ennis and Corby Megorden about why a business owner wou... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Buying a Business

May 08, 20220 min read

The Value of Knowing Your Business Valuation, Multiply Your Success Podcast

The Value of Knowing Your Business Valuation, Multiply Your Success Podcast

If you were to decide you were ready to exit out of your business today, do you know what it is worth? Have you had a professional evaluation done? If you have not you should look to have one done. In... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

April 18, 20221 min read

Transition Planning with Laurie Barkman, Profit with a Plan Podcast

Transition Planning with Laurie Barkman, Profit with a Plan Podcast

Business transition sherpa & M&A advisor, Laurie Barkman talks with Marcia Riner about transition planning. There are many reasons to start planning as early as today. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

March 11, 20221 min read

Business Transition Planning with Laurie Barkman – Leaders of Transformation Podcast

Business Transition Planning with Laurie Barkman – Leaders of Transformation Podcast

Laurie Barkman was a guest on the Leaders of Transformation Podcast hosted by Nicole Jansen. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

March 10, 20222 min read

How To Prepare a Business for Transition – Build Value By Choice

How To Prepare a Business for Transition – Build Value By Choice

Laurie Barkman is a “business transition sherpa. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

February 22, 20222 min read

How Financial Advisors Can Grow Their Business By Serving Entrepreneurs in Transition

How Financial Advisors Can Grow Their Business By Serving Entrepreneurs in Transition

Laurie Barkman joined Mike Langford on the Modern Financial Advisor Podcast to explore how financial advisors can grow their business by helping entrepreneurs and business owners with their transition... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

February 13, 20221 min read

There’s More Than One Way to Run a Business

There’s More Than One Way to Run a Business

On this episode of the Tandem Talks Podcast, Carrie Bohlig and Craig Clickner talk to Laurie Barkman, CEO and founder of SmallDotBig LLC, a firm that specializes in helping companies and business owne... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

February 05, 20224 min read

On “Behind The Podcast”

On “Behind The Podcast”

What’s a Business Transition Sherpa? Laurie Barkman sits down with Stephanie Scheller on the Behind The Podcast to share the backstory on her podcast and her business. If you’re a business owner, she’... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

January 25, 202216 min read

Innovation, Growth and Selling the Family Business – Laurie Barkman on The Connected Generation Podcast

Innovation, Growth and Selling the Family Business – Laurie Barkman on The Connected Generation Podcast

Laurie Barkman joins host Nike Anani on The Connected Generation on Episode 100. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth

January 15, 20222 min read

What’s Your Business Exit Strategy? SharkPreneur Podcast

What’s Your Business Exit Strategy? SharkPreneur Podcast

– The Sharkpreneur podcast with Seth Greene Episode 746 Laurie Barkman 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transit... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

December 13, 20211 min read

Business Transition and Exit Planning | Laurie Barkman Appearance on Three Rivers Leadership Radio Show

Business Transition and Exit Planning | Laurie Barkman Appearance on Three Rivers Leadership Radio Show

Laurie Barkman shares her “origin story” and path to the C-Suite, leadership lessons, and why she’s passionate about advising business owners on successful transitions. She joined Kevin Trout of Vista... ...more

Succession Stories ,Blog Appearances &Sell or Transition

October 01, 202121 min read

Succeed in Your Succession – Laurie Barkman | Pittsburgh Business Insights Podcast

Succeed in Your Succession – Laurie Barkman | Pittsburgh Business Insights Podcast

How do I pinpoint a number that represents the value of my business? Is it too early to begin planning for a transition? Do I have the capital to begin planning? Can I maintain an active role in my co... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition

August 24, 202142 min read

Appearance on Why We Plan Podcast | “Know Your Target Audience”

Appearance on Why We Plan Podcast | “Know Your Target Audience”

Sometimes traditional marketing tactics simply don’t work. But once you understand your target audience and what they are most interested in, it becomes significantly easier to create engaging content... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

June 24, 202128 min read

Selling Your Business for Big Profit – Laurie Barkman on Everyday MBA Podcast

Selling Your Business for Big Profit – Laurie Barkman on Everyday MBA Podcast

Laurie Barkman discusses perspectives and strategies needed to grow and sell your business for big profit. Laurie is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University and the CEO ... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition

March 01, 20210 min read

How to Leave a Rating and Review on Apple Podcasts

How to Leave a Rating and Review on Apple Podcasts

If you enjoy listening to the conversations, and want to support the Succession Stories Podcast, why not head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating or even a review? ...more

Succession Stories

December 15, 20200 min read

The Prospecting Show

The Prospecting Show

This episode covers the ups and downs associated with leaving corporate America and transitioning into the small business world. Laurie shares her experience working in eCommerce and moving her skills... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

November 21, 20200 min read

Why They Listen Podcast

Why They Listen Podcast

If you share messages on an ongoing basis, then you probably care about WHY people listen. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

November 05, 20201 min read

Podcast appearance: Growth & Innovation Through Transitions – Agile Giants

Podcast appearance: Growth & Innovation Through Transitions – Agile Giants

Laurie Barkman was featured on the Agile Giants podcast hosted by Sean Ammirati. In this appearance, Laurie talks about launching her consulting firm (SmallDotBig), a podcast, and returning to the Tep... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Innovative Growth

June 22, 20200 min read

Podcast appearance: Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond

Podcast appearance: Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond

It was a blast being a guest on Lou’s podcast ThriveLoud with Lou Diamond. ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances

May 14, 20200 min read

Growing the Value of Your Company: EP Podcast with Laurie Barkman

Growing the Value of Your Company: EP Podcast with Laurie Barkman

Most business owners want to increase their company’s value. Whether it’s to make more money, gain more resources to expand their business, or plan an effective “next step” in their careers, it’s impo... ...more

Succession Stories ,Appearances &Innovative Growth

February 01, 20201 min read

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