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.

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, 2024•0 min read

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, 2024•1 min read

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, 2024•1 min read

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, 2024•1 min read

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, 2024•5 min read

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, 2024•2 min read

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, 2024•1 min read

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, 2023•1 min read

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, 2023•1 min read

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, 2023•0 min read

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, 2023•2 min read

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, 2023•1 min read

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, 2023•2 min read

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, 2022•2 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

“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, 2022•42 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•47 min read

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, 2022•0 min read

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, 2022•2 min read

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, 2022•2 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•0 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•2 min read

Laurie Barkman is a “business transition sherpa. ...more
Succession Stories ,Appearances Exit Value &Sell or Transition
February 22, 2022•2 min read

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, 2022•1 min read

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, 2022•4 min read

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, 2022•16 min read

Laurie Barkman joins host Nike Anani on The Connected Generation on Episode 100. ...more
Succession Stories ,Appearances Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
January 15, 2022•2 min read

– 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, 2021•1 min read

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, 2021•21 min read

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, 2021•42 min read

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, 2021•28 min read

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, 2021•0 min read

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, 2020•0 min read

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, 2020•0 min read

If you share messages on an ongoing basis, then you probably care about WHY people listen. ...more
Succession Stories ,Appearances
November 05, 2020•1 min read

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, 2020•0 min read

It was a blast being a guest on Lou’s podcast ThriveLoud with Lou Diamond. ...more
Succession Stories ,Appearances
May 14, 2020•0 min read

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, 2020•1 min read
Case studies, examples, templates, and tools for business transition. Plus, notification of new episodes!

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