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.

Executive coach Scott Couchenour helps leaders over 50 design a future they won’t regret. In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman talks with Scott about his journey from burnout to ... ...more
Succession Stories
April 10, 2025•0 min read

Ghislain Gouraige, Partner at NewEdge Wealth and Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA®), brings over 30 years of experience helping ultra-high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs navigate business ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy Exit Succession Plan &Exit Value
March 25, 2025•1 min read

What happens when a successful entrepreneur faces his own turning point? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Jon Goldman, CEO of Turning Point, to discuss his journey from co-owning the inn... ...more
Succession Stories
March 19, 2025•1 min read

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are one of the best-kept secrets in business succession planning. In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Dan Zugell, Senior Vice President at Business Tr... ...more
Succession Stories
March 02, 2025•1 min read

Is your business truly valuable—or just another job you’ve created for yourself? In this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman speaks with Justin Goodbread, award-winning exit planner, best-se... ...more
Succession Stories
February 24, 2025•1 min read

Join Matthew Powell, CEO of Century Companies and a fourth-generation family business leader, along with host Laurie Barkman, as they explore the art of building sustainable, multi-generational enterp... ...more
Succession Stories
February 13, 2025•1 min read

Laurie Barkman welcomes Jennifer Dawn, a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, and host of the Happy Productive podcast, to share her journey of building and selling businesses. From launching her fi... ...more
Succession Stories
January 26, 2025•1 min read

Host Laurie Barkman talks with Christin about her journey of navigating leadership roles at her family’s third-generation business, CARDONE Industries. During her tenure as Chief People Officer and CO... ...more
Succession Stories
January 15, 2025•2 min read

Succession Stories Podcast, Exit Succession Plan 2024 year-end solocast! Laurie Barkman shares reflections and gratitude for family, friends, and the growing community of entrepreneurs building value ... ...more
Succession Stories
December 19, 2024•1 min read

Daniel Feiman, is an internationally recognized leader in the areas of strategy, succession, and leadership development. He’s the Founder and Managing Director of Build It Backwards, a consulting and ... ...more
Succession Stories
December 16, 2024•1 min read

In this insightful episode, we explore the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs face when transitioning from their businesses. Join us as we explore the power of identity, purpose, and self... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
October 30, 2024•1 min read

Laurie Barkman interviews Albert Ciuksza to challenges faced by millennial successors as they take over from baby boomer predecessors. Listen in as they discuss Albert’s new book, “Succeeding” Steppin... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy &Exit Succession Plan
October 07, 2024•1 min read

Laurie Barkman interviews brothers and business partners, David and Chris Sinkinson, about their experience as co-founders of AppArmor, a bootstrapped SaaS business with a $40 million exit. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
September 16, 2024•45 min read

In this Succession Stories episode, – When the episode first aired in 2021, Karen emerged as a leader who, despite initial reluctance, embraced her role with a combination of curiosity and determinati... ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
August 23, 2024•45 min read

Laurie Barkman interviews Maryann Bell, a partner at Wingspan Legacy Partners, about the common myths and challenges facing next-generation successors in family businesses. Maryann shares insights on ... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
August 12, 2024•45 min read

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

Host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, talks with Henry DeVries, publisher, writer, and CEO of Indie Books International. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
August 05, 2024•22 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

Laurie unveils The Endgame EntrepreneurshipTM Masterclass, designed to guide entrepreneurs through the complexities of business transition. This comprehensive online course offers video lessons, exerc... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
July 22, 2024•13 min read

Pat is the President of Family Enterprise USA (FE-USA) whose mission is to promote the growth of generational-owned family businesses in the US. She is also President of Policy and Taxation Group that... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
July 15, 2024•22 min read

From humble beginnings to founding Magnum Nutraceuticals, Markus Kaulius shares the saga of transforming a passion into a $170 million empire with Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition SherpaⓇ. ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
July 08, 2024•36 min read

We all go through transition times in our lives. Personal transition is hard. You’ve probably heard me say that 75% of owners express regrets one year after selling. I’m on a mission to break the cycl... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
July 05, 2024•1 min read

Host of the #1 stock investing podcast in the world, “We Study Billionaires” Kyle Grieve, joins Laurie Barkman on today’s episode. As part of The Investor’s Podcast Network, Kyle helps professional in... ...more
Succession Stories ,Buying a Business
June 25, 2024•2 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

Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition SherpaⓇ, talks with Tony Whatley, a 20+ year serial entrepreneur, business coach, best-selling author, podcast host, and speaker. Tony is Co-Founder of LS1Tech,... ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
June 17, 2024•2 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

Host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, is joined by Greg McDonough, Managing Partner of Blackburn Capital Advisors and host of the Chief Endurance Officer Podcast. ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
June 10, 2024•1 min read

Host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition SherpaⓇ, is joined by Susan Keller, Founder of Entrepreneurial Executives. Susan advises businesses from startups to publicly traded companies on growth st... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
June 03, 2024•1 min read

Host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, talks with Jon Eesley, Partner at Windsor Advisory Group. With over 45 years of experience working with privately held businesses, Jon has helped c... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
May 29, 2024•1 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

Host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition SherpaⓇ, is joined by Darryl Bates-Brownsword, Managing Partner of Succession Plus in the UK. He hosts The Exit Insights Podcast and is a business consulta... ...more
Succession Stories ,Improving Company Value
May 15, 2024•2 min read

Unlock the story behind Reid Tileston’s remarkable entrepreneurial journey in this episode of Succession Stories. Join Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa®, as she sits down with Reid, a dr... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
May 08, 2024•2 min read

Host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, talks with David Spray, Founder and President of Export Advisors, which serves the owners of privately-held, U.S. exporting companies. Over the pas... ...more
Succession Stories ,Improving Company Value
May 02, 2024•1 min read

Host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, talks with Mike Malatesta, CEO of LJP Waste Solutions. Over the past 30 years, Mike’s experienced the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. He built ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
April 26, 2024•29 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition SherpaⓇ, sits down with JV Crum III, founder of the Conscious Millionaire Institute and Conscious World Foundation Inc.–a global non-pro... ...more
Succession Stories ,Improving Company Value
April 08, 2024•29 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition SherpaⓇ, is joined by Meghan Lynch, the driving force behind Six-Point Creative, a marketing services firm dedicated to empowering famil... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
April 02, 2024•29 min read

Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Max Lewis, entrepreneur and author of “Who Is Max Lewis?” Max shares what led to the eventual sale of his company for $37 million. ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
March 20, 2024•27 min read

Ralph Ward is the editor of the Corporate Board Magazine and an expert in corporate governance. He’s the author of six books on corporate governance and board issues. I asked him to join me on the sho... ...more
Succession Stories ,Improving Company Value
March 12, 2024•21 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa™, welcomes Cesar Quintero, a serial entrepreneur in the food service industry. ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
March 04, 2024•31 min read

Welcome to the Succession Stories podcast, where we delve into the intricate world of building a scalable business. Join host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(™), and our guest Alex Neis... ...more
Succession Stories ,Improving Company Value
February 22, 2024•31 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa®, welcomes Jane Hanson, a nine-time Emmy award winning correspondent. She has an amazing resume as a network co-anchor in New Yor... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
February 05, 2024•25 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa®, welcomes Matt DiFrancesco, Principal of HighLift Financial, and host of the “Your Business, Your Life” podcast. ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
January 31, 2024•1 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa®, welcomes David Newman, author of the business bestseller “Do It! Marketing” and his new book, “Do It! Selling.” He’s the founde... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
January 31, 2024•2 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa®, welcomes Ross Brannon, Tax Shelter and Private Equity Consultant at CoastalOne. ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
January 25, 2024•1 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(™), welcomes Elliot H. Kallen, President of Prosperity Financial Group, a financial planning and advising firm. Elliot is a three... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
January 16, 2024•24 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(™), welcomes Rocco Cozza, Founder and Managing Partner of Cozza Law Group, for a conversation spotlighting a topic owners may be ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
January 09, 2024•20 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(™), welcomes John Denny, Principal of Denny Civic Solutions and the first client Laurie brought onto the show. ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
December 19, 2023•15 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(™), welcomes Chuck Goldblum, Founder and Financial Strategist of Hurley Capital. ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
December 04, 2023•15 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa™, welcomes Shawn O’Malley, Chief Editor and Financial Writer for “We Study Markets” at The Investor’s Podcast Network. ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
November 22, 2023•24 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa™, welcomes Ken Rusk, founder of Rusk Industries. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
November 20, 2023•28 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(™), welcomes Heather Pearce Campbell, The Legal Website Warrior. Heather equips entrepreneurs with tools to champion positive cha... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
November 12, 2023•29 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(TM), welcomes Tim Scannell, Managing Director, Partner at Hightower Great Lakes. Tim is the Managing Director at Hightower Great ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
November 05, 2023•1 min read

Succession Stories host, Laurie Barkman, is joined by Pat Ennis, Founder of Ennis Legacy Partners. With decades of experience in financial services, Pat has extensive understanding of the challenges b... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
October 29, 2023•24 min read

Listen in as Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, talks with Christine Nicholson, an award-winning business mentor in the UK. An expert on exit and succession planni... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
October 23, 2023•24 min read

Pete Walsh is a Master Coach and a trusted advisor who brings real-life lessons to his family business and executive clients. Pete is the first guest on Succession Stories who turned down next-generat... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
October 15, 2023•32 min read

Chris joins Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman to discuss what eventually all business owners need to determine about their exit and financial future. ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
October 08, 2023•30 min read

Rick Vanasse advises CEOs and rising leaders as Chair with Vistage, a global membership organization. He’s like a CEO whisperer, creating space for leaders to address strategic questions from an organ... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
October 01, 2023•32 min read

This episode provides great questions to help you think about what can protect your business and create wealth. Brian Trzcinski, Director of Business Market Development with MassMutual, joins host Lau... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
September 24, 2023•31 min read

When it comes to family business succession, will dysfunction prevail? Eva Fischer was the chair of the family business, Brunata, one of Scandinavia’s largest clean-tech companies, and at the helm dur... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
September 11, 2023•27 min read
![130: Get Intentional With Your Business Legacy, John Lee Dumas @EOFire [Legacy Series]](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_320/u_https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/EsvkNAAshWTzvHpiqGPx/media/68714c67f85f42c3fdbbf07a.webp)
If you’re a fan of business podcasts, you might know the name John Lee Dumas (JLD), founder and host of the award-winning show, Entrepreneurs on Fire. Since launching in 2012, JLD has interviewed over... ...more
Succession Stories ,Creating Your Legacy
September 09, 2023•13 min read
![128: [LEGACY SERIES] How This Entrepreneur Is Planning His Future Exit and Benefiting From Talking About It, Bill Spohn](https://images.leadconnectorhq.com/image/f_webp/q_80/r_320/u_https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/EsvkNAAshWTzvHpiqGPx/media/68715d9df85f424447bc14e3.webp)
When is the right time to transition your business? Bill Spohn, President and Owner of TruTech Tools, plans to retire in three years. Bill joins host Laurie Barkman on Succession Stories for a “Legacy... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
September 04, 2023•1 min read

Ryan Dusick is the founding drummer of Maroon 5, one of the world’s most popular bands. In the nineties, Ryan and his high school buddies Adam Levine and Jesse Carmichael dreamed about making it big…a... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
September 04, 2023•83 min read

What do small business owners wish they had done differently before selling? While the attention on billion-dollar mergers and acquisitions, detailed information about acquisitions of smaller business... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
August 28, 2023•22 min read

Are you prepared for the emotional realities of succession planning? Regina Beatty, an advisor with the financial planning group, Heritage Financial Consultants, joins Laurie Barkman on Succession Sto... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Succession Plan
August 20, 2023•23 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

If your goal in life is to have no regrets, what are the things you need to address now to be happy about your business transition? Bruce Werner, family business advisor and author of “The Ownership J... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
August 13, 2023•30 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

For any business, regardless of size, innovation is an essential part of growth. We live in the age of entrepreneurs who are disrupting large companies more than the large companies are disrupting eac... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
August 07, 2023•38 min read

The earlier you plan for life after exiting your business, the more successful your transition will be. Determine your post-exit goals and work towards a number that helps you achieve your preferred l... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
July 23, 2023•22 min read

Ben Rizzo, Founder of Hartwood Point, makes direct private investments across the US and UK, primarily in operator-led buyouts. Ben talks with Succession Stories host, Laurie Barkman, about acquisitio... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Buying a Business
July 09, 2023•37 min read

When selling your business, it’s the net number that counts. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
June 25, 2023•33 min read

Solocast with Laurie Barkman, show host and business transition sherpa. Laurie discusses a critical owner succession pitfall to avoid. You don’t know what you will do after you leave the business. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
June 18, 2023•19 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

What is it like to sell your same business twice? As CEO of a pharmacy software company, Tim Tannert led the business through two successful transactions. Key to their success was having a differentia... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
June 04, 2023•22 min read

Most successful business owners spend their time running their business. Their expertise is not planning how to exit, or planning what might happen to the company, their family, employees or customers... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
May 21, 2023•31 min read

Solocast with Laurie Barkman, show host and business transition sherpa. In this solocast, Laurie talks about her new book, “The Business Transition Handbook,” and discusses a critical owner succession... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
May 02, 2023•11 min read

Cliff Spolander, author of The Cash Flow Code, is the CEO of Business By Design, an exit planning advisory company in the UK. He has started, bought and sold several companies across a range of sector... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Buying a Business &Innovative Growth
April 10, 2023•33 min read

US Army Veteran Stephen Bollinger is a serial entrepreneur in the medical device industry. Stephen’s superpower is discovering market opportunities to help people live better lives. During his career,... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
March 26, 2023•32 min read

Automation can free up hundreds of hours per individual employee every year. Better systems create operational efficiencies that make businesses more scalable. Shanice Miller is a business productivit... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
March 12, 2023•22 min read

Cliff Spolander, author of The Cash Flow Code, is the CEO of Business By Design, an exit planning advisory company in the UK. He has started, bought and sold several companies across a range of sector... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
March 05, 2023•2 min read

Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman talks with Tsitsi Mutendi about addressing the challenges of Entrepreneuring families. Tsitsi is an internationally recognized Family Business Expert and Family ... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
February 19, 2023•26 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

What can go wrong if you wait too long to plan your exit strategy? Executive coach and organizational consultant, Bill Prinzivalli, joins Succession Stories host Laurie Barkman to discuss why your ent... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
February 05, 2023•32 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

Innovation, transition, growth. These are the key drivers of disruptive succession that help businesses evolve and continue to thrive. This week on Succession Stories, Jonathan Goldhill joins Laurie B... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
January 22, 2023•34 min read

Catch up on the Succession Stories Podcast with highlights from recent episodes. Host Laurie Barkman spotlights the challenges of business transition, M&A exits, and succession in this special Rewind ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
January 09, 2023•36 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

A.J. Lawrence is the host of the Beyond 8-Figures Podcast. Having sold several companies for 7-figure exits, A.J. continues to explore opportunities to reach $10 million and beyond and calls himself a... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
December 04, 2022•35 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

If you’re planning to sell your company one day, how transferable would it be to a new owner? Rebecca Monet joins host Laurie Barkman to share her story about building businesses, letting go, and toug... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
November 13, 2022•29 min read

Much like a warrior, being an entrepreneur entails risk, struggle, grit, and bravery. How can you muster strength to push through even the greatest odds? On this episode, Zachary Green joins host Laur... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
October 30, 2022•34 min read

How do you master something you’ve never done before, like selling your business? First, it’s important to know that the skills used to start your business won’t be the ones used to sell it. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
October 16, 2022•59 min read

98% of business owners don’t know what their business is worth. It’s risky not to know what the value of your business is since it may be the largest piece of your net worth. This can be a problem for... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
October 02, 2022•26 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

Health and happiness after selling your company is often ignored. Business owners race hard to maximize monetary returns, but is it the ultimate finish line? This week on Succession Stories, Mark Fuji... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Buying a Business
September 21, 2022•26 min read

Succession Stories welcomes Nike Anani back to the show. Nike is an international award-winning entrepreneur, succession specialist, and legacy planning expert for future-focused business families. Sh... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
September 04, 2022•21 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

We’re rewinding the first 100 episodes of the Succession Stories Podcast. Host Laurie Barkman shares favorite clips spotlighting key themes of the show– innovation, growth, and transition. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
August 21, 2022•23 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

Celebrating the 100th episode of Succession Stories! Guest host Lou Diamond interviews Laurie Barkman to reflect on the journey of the show, favorite episodes, and more milestones to come. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
August 07, 2022•40 min read

How do you handle unexpected tragedy when an owner passes away? Jennifer Ake Marriott is the second generation President of Ake Environmental, a company founded by her father. She is also the CEO of R... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
July 25, 2022•37 min read

What are the top pitfalls to avoid when choosing business partners? Australian business leader, Troy Trewin, joins Laurie Barkman to discuss finding the right fit, setting up a partnership for success... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
July 10, 2022•30 min read

Meredith Meyer Grelli is the co-founder of the Wigle Whiskey Distillery. In 2010, Meredith and her family decided to open a distillery in the City of Pittsburgh as the first one since Prohibition. Nam... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
June 26, 2022•32 min read

Succession isn’t something you wish to happen, it’s something you plan for. Deena Chochinov joins Laurie Barkman to share her 30+ years as a family enterprise advisor and discuss her new book, HomeWor... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
June 21, 2022•25 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

Gabriela Isturiz is a tech entrepreneur who bootstrapped two SaaS businesses that were successfully sold to Fortune 500 companies. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
June 05, 2022•38 min read

How do you move past the difficulty that comes with leaving your business? Sarah Dusek is the Co-founder of Under Canvas and General Partner of Enygma Ventures. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
May 31, 2022•42 min read

What do acquisition entrepreneurs look for in buy-side deals? Serial entrepreneur and investor Ron Skelton joins Laurie Barkman on Succession Stories Podcast to discuss his approach to buying existing... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
May 22, 2022•41 min read

How you set your pricing strategy affects your profitability, ability to break even, and your chance at success. Per Sjöfors is the author of The Price Whisperer and CEO of Sjöfors & Partners. Per has... ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
May 16, 2022•24 min read

Learn the secrets of putting profits first with Rocky Lalvani, The Profit Answer Man. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value & Strategic Planning
May 08, 2022•28 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

Many business owners and entrepreneurs face the challenge of wondering what they will do after they leave the business. Often our personal identity is intertwined with our business identity. When you ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
May 01, 2022•35 min read

Why are businesses that operate independently of their owners more valuable? Scott Snider, President of the Exit Planning Institute (EPI), educates professional advisors and business owners around the... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
April 24, 2022•27 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

Nicole Jansen grew up in an entrepreneurial household and by her mid-twenties had helped build an 8-figure family business that spanned nearly a dozen countries. But at the height of their success, th... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
April 18, 2022•40 min read

How can business owners turn their biggest asset into one worth selling? Marcia Riner shares the heartbreaking experience of watching both of her parents close their businesses. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
April 10, 2022•21 min read

This sell-side episode focuses on protecting the value of your investment. Laurie Barkman hosts Jeffrey Ford, a Founding Partner at Grossman Yanak + Ford, a regional certified public accounting and co... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
April 03, 2022•30 min read

This week on Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman hosts fellow Certified Value Builder Advisor, Nana Bonsu for a conversation on business growth and transferability ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value
March 27, 2022•17 min read

Selling your business is one of the most important transactions of your life. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
March 20, 2022•32 min read

More than 13,000 Family Offices exist in the US, preserving the legacy and investments of the original family enterprise. Many see direct investment as a way to tap into the entrepreneurial DNA that m... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
March 13, 2022•26 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

Host Laurie Barkman talks with John Warrillow, best selling author of Built to Sell, Built to Sell Radio, and Founder of The Value Builder System, a company that provides business owners with a proven... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
March 06, 2022•44 min read

How can a services business drive recurring revenue? Andy Cabasso co-founded JurisPage, a marketing services company with a niche audience- specializing in technology and practice management software ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
February 28, 2022•36 min read

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

As the Executive Director of the Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell University, Daniel Van Der Vliet is dedicated to supporting and strengthening the network of owners, leaders, and alumni th... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
February 20, 2022•27 min read

Every business owner will leave their company one day. Laurie Barkman talks with Mark Kravietz, award-winning Certified Exit Planning Advisor and Managing Partner of Aline Wealth. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
February 13, 2022•28 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

Finding time wealth means having the ability to choose how you spend your time. On this episode, Laurie Barkman talks with Craig Clickner and Carrie Bohlig. They’re the married co-founders of Tandem C... ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
February 06, 2022•29 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

Given today’s talent wars, have you considered virtual assistants? Danielle Cuomo is the Founder and CEO of Virtual Assist USA – the largest VA company in the United States. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Innovative Growth
January 30, 2022•18 min read

Looking to enhance and grow your business in 2022? This week on Succession Stories, Stephanie Scheller joins Laurie Barkman to discuss success in the face of disruption. Stephanie is the founder of Gr... ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
January 25, 2022•30 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

We’re spotlighting business transition readiness. Why maximizing your business today can help you prepare for an exit on your terms tomorrow. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
January 16, 2022•18 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

100% of business owners will leave their business someday. Whether a business thrives after an owner leaves depends on your succession plan to ensure a smooth transition. How do you create a successio... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
December 12, 2021•22 min read

In the M&A deal ecosystem different types of buyers have different motivations. Family offices are known to have a long time horizon and offer flexibility during acquisition. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
December 05, 2021•28 min read

If a high percentage of your company’s revenue is undertaken personally by you or your fellow equity holders, you’re a Rainmaker. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Innovative Growth
November 29, 2021•25 min read

Explore how ESOP management buyouts can be a great succession plan as a way to transfer your family-owned business to your children and employees. Laurie Barkman and Darren Gleeman, an ESOP expert and... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
November 21, 2021•26 min read

How can employers retain people in the face of The Great Resignation job market phenomenon? Alisa Spector Angelo is the Owner and President of Compass Business Solutions, an HR consulting firm that ta... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning
November 07, 2021•27 min read

As a business owner, exit planning is something that you only get one shot at. Have you considered growth through acquisitions as an exit plan? ...more
Succession Stories ,Appearances &Buying a Business
November 07, 2021•1 min read

All entrepreneurs will leave their company someday. What’s your path to increasing your company’s value? Steve Peplin, CEO of Talan Products, a $50 million manufacturing company, has achieved impressi... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
October 31, 2021•32 min read

Have you thought about who potential buyers of your company might be in the future? This week on Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman is joined by David Wible, CEO of Work. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
October 24, 2021•38 min read

It’s never too early to have conversations on exiting your business. Whether you’re looking to retire or pass the mantle to the next generation, it’s important to understand the merger and acquisition... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
October 18, 2021•19 min read

How can business owners focus on enterprise value rather than short-term profits? Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with Kevin Trout about preparing your business for sale. Kevin built Grandview Medic... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
October 12, 2021•33 min read

Tricia Staible raised her hand to join the family business, Robinson Fans, and eventually became its sixth generation President. Tricia joined Laurie Barkman to discuss the importance of diversificati... ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
October 03, 2021•23 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 acquisitions fuel growth at a multi-generational company. Ben Grossman is the Co-President of the Grossman Marketing Group, a fourth generation business he co-leads with his brother. With sustaina... ...more
Succession Stories ,Buying a Business
September 20, 2021•31 min read

Did you know that 80% of mergers and acquisitions fail? An often overlooked yet critical aspect of M&A deals and transitions is the people factor. Jennifer Fondrevay, Founder of Day1 Ready, advises se... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
September 13, 2021•26 min read

Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with John Brown about taking an owner-centric approach to exit planning to achieve your financial goals and be rewarded with the lifestyle you desire. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
September 06, 2021•24 min read

Reignite growth in your company by doing this one thing: Be curious. Rethink your assumptions about why people buy from you– and why they don’t. On this episode, Laurie Barkman talks with Dr. James Ri... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
August 31, 2021•39 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

Helping owners achieve business success and lead their family organizations to long-term impact and legacy is a core focus. In Africa, private businesses have just a 2% succession rate to the second g... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
August 24, 2021•26 min read

How does exit planning differ from succession planning for business owners? Laurie Barkman and Mike Silverman, Shareholder of Dentons Cohen & Grigsby, discuss the strategic benefits of business transi... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
August 15, 2021•24 min read

Business succession isn’t easy, especially when it’s unexpected. Listen in as three 3rd generation siblings share their personal and professional challenges of dealing with the death of their father, ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
August 10, 2021•55 min read

How can strategic acquisitions fit within organizations as tuck-ins? Sixteen years ago, Nelson Anderson bought a small printing franchise from his father-in-law. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
August 03, 2021•27 min read

Laurie Barkman talks with Jon Dwoskin, business coach and author of the Think Big Movement, about his experience selling his first company, and the cancer diagnosis that changed not only his career, b... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
July 31, 2021•32 min read

For many business owners, selling your company is typically a once in a lifetime transaction. But it’s hard to know how it all works until you’re in it. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
July 20, 2021•26 min read

Laurie Barkman is joined by Kevin Urrutia, CEO of Voy Media, and co-founder of Maid Sailors, a NYC cleaning services company that he sold last year ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
July 13, 2021•40 min read

Find out the measures you need to take to make a winning deal. Corey Kupfer is an expert strategist, deal-maker, attorney and consultant. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
July 01, 2021•37 min read

Laurie Barkman announces a new partnership with Stony Hill as a mergers and acquisitions advisor. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
June 28, 2021•12 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

Listen in to this special “What’s Next” Succession Stories Podcast episode as Laurie Barkman talks with Hal Riley, team captain for the World’s Toughest Race Eco Challenge in Fiji 2020. ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
June 22, 2021•60 min read

Karen Norheim is the President of American Crane and Equipment Corp, a specialized manufacturing company, founded by her father. Karen shared her story as the next generation and how she’s taking the ... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
June 07, 2021•37 min read

Laurie Barkman talks with Dr. JT Kostman, CEO of ProtectedBy.AI and global expert in Artificial Intelligence and Psychology. JT’s unique story began as a homeless nine year old in New York City. Durin... ...more
Succession Stories ,Innovative Growth
June 01, 2021•36 min read

You might be surprised by the statistic that 50% of business owners are unhappy after the sale of their company. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
May 25, 2021•29 min read

I meet a lot of people who inspire me by their accomplishments in business. Others who inspire me by how they’ve changed their life and the lives of others. Tana Greene is all of above and more. ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
May 20, 2021•2 min read

Lloyd Wolf started his consulting business in 1989. Over 30 years he grew Wolf Consulting from a one-man show to a leading regional provider of computer support and cloud services. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
May 18, 2021•1 min read

Neil Sahota helped create the artificial intelligence ecosystem that famously won Jeopardy called Watson. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
May 11, 2021•28 min read

Laurie Barkman interviews William and Christopher Yanakos of Reli. Father and son share pivots in the company’s 40-year history that transformed the business. At the heart of Reli’s success is a stron... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
May 04, 2021•30 min read

When it comes to transitioning your closely held company, it’s great to have options. You’ve probably heard about strategic acquisitions – like Facebook buying Instagram – or financial buyers like pri... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
April 27, 2021•36 min read

This episode of Succession Stories provides insights for people considering a different path, transitioning from employee to business owner. Laurie Barkman spoke with Chris Cynkar, Adjunct Prof. of En... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
April 23, 2021•33 min read

Laurie Barkman is joined by Julie Ann Sullivan, an international best-selling author, speaker, and business culture expert. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
April 20, 2021•29 min read

Did you know that unresolved conflict costs organizations about $359 billion in paid hours every year? ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
April 13, 2021•26 min read

On this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman is joined by Kent Johnson, the fourth-generation CEO of Highlights, best known for its children’s magazine. Listen in as they explore how Highligh... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
April 06, 2021•48 min read

In this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman is joined by Dr. Kelly Henry, a successful chiropractor and entrepreneur. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
March 30, 2021•43 min read

Want to differentiate your business? Build a competitive moat by mapping out your customers’ journey to discover what matters most to them. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
March 16, 2021•36 min read

Laurie Barkman is joined by Ann Bernard, author and creator of the 365 Firsts challenge. Ann shares her journey and how she navigated several transitions in her personal and professional life. Her sto... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
March 09, 2021•28 min read

On this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman is joined by Beth Armknecht Miller, CEO of Executive Velocity, to unpack the issues surrounding succession planning. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
March 02, 2021•26 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

Laurie Barkman is joined by Robb McKinney, Founder of Bridgeview Wealth, to discuss how wealth isn’t just about money. Entrepreneurs and family businesses can pass on their values along with their mon... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
February 23, 2021•27 min read

Laird & Company, is the oldest commercial distillery and the 26th-oldest family business in the United States. With an official founding date of 1780, the company history of apple brandy production st... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
February 16, 2021•36 min read

Laurie Barkman talks about navigating business acquisitions and succession planning with Tom Hine, CEO of Capital Wealth Management, and author of, The Zen of Business Acquisitions. Tom has acquired s... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
February 09, 2021•41 min read

Laurie Barkman talks about building your employer brand and cultivating culture with Tiffany Castagno, CEO of CEPHR, a human resources consulting firm. Having a strong culture is foundational to succe... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
February 02, 2021•26 min read

On this episode of the What’s Next Series, host Laurie Barkman talks with David Gamble, Founder of DG Coaching & Consulting, about what comes next after you achieve your dream. After an NFL Super Bowl... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
January 12, 2021•40 min read

I invited listeners to submit questions and a few were about CEO succession. To explore this topic, I invited Bruce Walton, a Partner at Battalia Winston, one of the world’s largest woman-owned execut... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
January 05, 2021•31 min read

Ten years ago, Laura Coe and her sister launched their company, Snapology. She was inspired to create a social and educational outlet for kids to fuel her sons’ curiosity for learning outside the clas... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Innovative Growth
December 22, 2020•32 min read

The Succession Stories “What’s Next Series” features conversations with entrepreneurs about changes in their life and their business. Laurie Barkman speaks with Jeffrey K. Walker, Air Force Veteran an... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
December 16, 2020•33 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

Laurie Barkman talks deal making and transition planning with Chris Brodman, President of Metz Lewis, a law firm specializing in M&A and business transactions. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted priva... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition Strategic Planning &Buying a Business
December 08, 2020•40 min read

Janet Wischnia is an Owner and former CEO of her family’s 90-year old company, Thomaston Mills. In 2019, they launched an e-commerce startup called American Blossom Linens. The new venture brought the... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
November 24, 2020•32 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

Introducing the “What’s Next Series,” a new monthly segment of the Succession Stories Podcast spotlighting transitions. Succession – in business and in life – is about transitions and how you embrace ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
November 19, 2020•25 min read

This episode focuses on the power of connecting to create business value. Lou Diamond, CEO of Thrive Loud, is a performance mentor for sales, marketing, and leadership teams. This has been a tough yea... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
November 17, 2020•44 min read

Laurie Barkman and Chris Chaney talk transition planning for business owners. ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
November 08, 2020•37 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

This week, Laurie Barkman shares all about the art of creating and transferring business value on The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer. ...more
Succession Stories ,Appearances &Sell or Transition
November 05, 2020•0 min read

Laurie Barkman speaks with Elizabeth Blount McCormick, 2nd generation CEO of UniGlobe Travel Designers. Elizabeth discussed the challenges of COVID-19 on her firm, and how focusing on client service, ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
October 27, 2020•40 min read

On this episode, Laurie Barkman speaks with Evan J. Segal, General Partner of 412 Venture Fund. Evan shares how he grew his third generation manufacturing company and sold it to a strategic buyer. He ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
October 13, 2020•37 min read

Shift your focus from maintaining your business to reimagining. Laurie Barkman is joined by Sean Ammirati, Co-Founder and Director of the Corporate Startup Lab and Partner at Birchmere Ventures. Liste... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
September 29, 2020•32 min read

On this opening episode of Season 2, Laurie Barkman speaks with Ann Dugan, former Executive Director and Founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Her expertise in succession, Board gov... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
September 15, 2020•38 min read

On the Season 1 Finale, Bradley Franc, author of The Succession Solution, joins Laurie Barkman to discuss how business owners can bring the future into the present by including transition planning as ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
August 04, 2020•24 min read

Mary Richter is a Shareholder at Schneider Downs, one of the 60 largest accounting and business advisory firms in the United States. Mary was a catalyst for formalizing a practice group for exit plann... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
July 28, 2020•32 min read

James Austin Company was a fourth generation family business without a succession plan. After 130 years, the company sold to a competitor in 2018. I spoke with one of the family members, Doug Austin, ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
July 21, 2020•37 min read

Dawn Fuchs Coleman is the former CEO of Weavertown Environmental Group, a 2nd generation company. Dawn shared her decision to join the family business, getting the keys to the company when she didn’t ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
July 14, 2020•44 min read

It’s a topic on the mind of many business owners, what to do when family members are not interested or not able to run the company going forward. Listen in as Laurie Barkman speaks with Jamie Van Bure... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
July 07, 2020•38 min read

Will Knecht is the Chairman of Wendell August, America’s oldest and largest forge, producing hand-wrought metal giftware since 1923. In March 2010, two days after receiving its largest order ever, a f... ...more
Succession Stories , Strategic Planning &Innovative Growth
June 30, 2020•44 min read

Laurie Barkman speaks with Bobby Zappala and Andy Ellis, Managing Partners of Localize Capital. This episode highlights an innovative financing approach for family owned businesses that supports long-... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
June 23, 2020•40 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

Len Caric acquired Uncle Charlie’s Sausage in 2014 after the company faced a tragic business succession. Just six weeks after acquiring the company as the new CEO, he faced a significant industry chal... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition &Buying a Business
June 16, 2020•47 min read

How prepared is your business to operate without you? Laurie Barkman was joined by Jason Seltzer, entrepreneur and risk mitigation expert with EHD Insurance. Jason shared challenges business owners ca... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
June 09, 2020•37 min read

When there is no successor within the family, how do owners move to the next level of finding someone to buy and operate the business? ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value &Sell or Transition
June 02, 2020•48 min read

On this episode, listen in as Laurie Barkman speaks with Brian Baum, President of The Business Transition Group and chair of the Pittsburgh Exit Planning chapter. Brian works with multi-generational b... ...more
Succession Stories ,Financial Planning
May 26, 2020•39 min read

On this episode, Laurie Barkman was joined by Michael Schoedinger, President of Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service, a 6th generation company; and Jill Hofmans, Executive Director of the Conway ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
May 19, 2020•36 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

On this episode of Succession Stories, I explored next generation entrepreneurship from a different angle with Rick Terrien, author of Ageless Startup. After selling his last company, Rick pondered th... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
May 12, 2020•26 min read

This episode features Shelley Taylor, a family business advisor and expert on navigating family succession. Shelley has worked with multi-generational companies for more than 20 years, and she is the ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Exit Value Sell or Transition & Strategic Planning
April 22, 2020•27 min read

On this episode of Succession Stories, I spoke with Jim Rooney, entrepreneur and author of, A Different Way to Win: Dan Rooney’s Story from the Super Bowl to the Rooney Rule. ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition
April 20, 2020•35 min read

For the first episode of Succession Stories, I was excited to speak with Tony Uphoff, CEO of Thomas. In fact, a talk that Tony gave last year at Carnegie Mellon helped fuel my general concept for the ... ...more
Succession Stories ,Sell or Transition &Innovative Growth
April 15, 2020•8 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
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