Succession Stories

Laurie Barkman
  • 5.0 (72)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Succession Stories

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs from transition to transaction hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa®. Succession Stories explores the entrepreneurial stages of a business from growth to maturity focusing on value creation, exit planning, succession, and M&A for owner-led companies. If you are an entrepreneur looking for inspiration to create a more valuable business, or an owner who wants to figure out the best way to transition or sell their closely held company, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Laurie Barkman, Amazon best-selling author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Transition Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options." Learn more about Laurie's strategic business transition planning and M&A advisory services by visiting: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com

  1. Entrepreneurs Are Made if Not Born, Jaclyn Beatty - The Entrepreneur Gene

    2D AGO

    Entrepreneurs Are Made if Not Born, Jaclyn Beatty - The Entrepreneur Gene

    “The really great exciting thing about entrepreneurship is even if you don't know from a young age that's the route you want to go, it's never too late to get there.” - Jaclyn Beatty Show host Laurie Barkman interviews Jaclyn Beatty, a seasoned sales professional and Owner/Principal Consultant of Geared for Growth at Sales Xceleration. Jaclyn shares her non-traditional journey to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of the entrepreneurial gene and the belief that entrepreneurs can be made, not just born. They discuss the challenges of transitioning from a corporate sales leader to an entrepreneurial role and the benefits of the fractional sales industry. Jaclyn also provides advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and reflects on her career pivots from clinical dietitian to corporate sales leader. Takeaways: ~Don't hesitate to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams sooner rather than later. If you feel ready, take the plunge and trust your instincts. ~Be willing to accept help and advice from others, whether it’s through peer groups, mentors, or industry experts. You don't have to be an expert in every area of your business. ~Don’t be afraid to pivot from one industry to another if you feel drawn to it. Skills are often transferable, and a fresh perspective can lead to new opportunities. ~Learn to manage wearing multiple hats in your business. Prioritize and balance client deliverables with business development and operational tasks.   This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® 100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you? Get your copy of the Amazon best-selling book by nationally recognized expert, Laurie Barkman that reveals how to build business value and plan for succession, transition, or selling the business on your terms....what every entrepreneur needs to know.  ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: https://btsherpa.com/book 📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories  _________________________________________________________________   Connect with Laurie Barkman:  Email: laurie@btsherpa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Book: https://btsherpa.com/book YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa  Connect with Jaclyn Beatty: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynbeatty/  Website: https://salesxceleration.com/

    23 min
  2. Risk, Resolve, Results, Harry Haywood - The Entrepreneur Gene

    6D AGO

    Risk, Resolve, Results, Harry Haywood - The Entrepreneur Gene

    “I'm guilty of having always had the feeling of being proud, but not satisfied with my accomplishments. Once I get to one goal, I’m ready to move on to the next.” - Harry Haywood Host Laurie Barkman chats with Harry Haywood, President of HBS Solutions Inc. Harry shares insights on the importance of resilience, creativity, and overcoming criticism. With over 15 years of experience, he discusses the challenges of managing growth, building a strong leadership team, and the significance of time management. Harry also delves into his passion for energy efficiency and the evolving industry standards. Listeners will gain valuable advice on prioritization, goal tracking, and balancing business with personal life. Takeaways: ~Learn to maximize your productivity by valuing your time more, especially if you don’t have many personal responsibilities early in your entrepreneurial journey. ~Don’t try to handle everything yourself. Document processes, assign responsibilities, and ensure checks and balances are in place. This helps in managing growth more efficiently. ~Use a systematic approach to track progress towards goals in various aspects of your life, not just business-related but also personal, physical, and spiritual. ~Implement systems and processes to manage the complexities of business operations. Utilize third-party or customized tools to align the team and streamline workflows.   This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® 100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you? Get your copy of the Amazon best-selling book by nationally recognized expert, Laurie Barkman that reveals how to build business value and plan for succession, transition, or selling the business on your terms....what every entrepreneur needs to know.  ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: https://btsherpa.com/book 📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories  _________________________________________________________________   Connect with Laurie Barkman:  Email: laurie@btsherpa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Book: https://btsherpa.com/book YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa  Connect with Harry Haywood:   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-h-9969231b/ Website: https://www.hbssolutionsinc.com/

    23 min
  3. Accidental Entrepreneurship, Jessica Kenyon - The Entrepreneur Gene

    JUL 6

    Accidental Entrepreneurship, Jessica Kenyon - The Entrepreneur Gene

    “The fundamental things are being incredibly optimistic, having the confidence to believe that not only is your idea a good idea, but that you can actually pull it off, and you have to have thick skin.” - Jessica Kenyon Host Laurie Barkman interviews Jessica Kenyon, CEO of The Conafay Group. Jessica shares her thoughts on key entrepreneurial traits like optimism, confidence, and resilience. The discussion covers her unconventional journey to leadership, having a background in archeology and a family of virologists, and how she transitioned into the government relations sector. She also talks about the challenges of succession and leadership transition, emphasizing the importance of trusting your instincts and believing in your own decisions.   This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® 100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you? Get your copy of the Amazon best-selling book by nationally recognized expert, Laurie Barkman that reveals how to build business value and plan for succession, transition, or selling the business on your terms....what every entrepreneur needs to know.    ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: https://btsherpa.com/book   📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories  _________________________________________________________________   Connect with Laurie Barkman:  Email: laurie@btsherpa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Book: https://btsherpa.com/book YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa    Connect with Jessica Kenyon:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-kenyon-4557028-conafay/ Website: https://conafaygroup.com/

    23 min
  4. Embracing Heliotropic Leadership with Dr. Harry Cohen - The Entrepreneur Gene

    JUL 2

    Embracing Heliotropic Leadership with Dr. Harry Cohen - The Entrepreneur Gene

    “Have the confidence to say, "I believe in my mission and my purpose, and no matter what is in front of me, I will overcome those obstacles.” - Dr. Harry Cohen Host Laurie Barkman interviews Harry Cohen, President and CEO of Sunny Owl Productions and author of “Be the Sun, Not the Salt.” Learn the essential traits that differentiate entrepreneurs— like the ability to tolerate risk and navigate ambiguity, and the significance of instilling an entrepreneurial culture in both large corporations and family-owned businesses by having positive energy in your leadership.  Catch Harry's advice how to foster kindness both in oneself and towards others.  Takeaways: To succeed, entrepreneurs must tolerate risk, ambiguity, and difficulty. Cultivate a belief in your mission and purpose, and maintain confidence that you will overcome obstacles. Aim to create a positive impact on those around you. Be the "sun" not the "salt" by fostering psychological safety and making people feel valued and motivated. Use rituals and positive self-talk to maintain a confident and optimistic mindset before key moments, like giving presentations or meeting with clients. Whether in a corporate or family-owned business, cultivating a supportive and innovative culture is crucial. Encourage risk-taking and learning from failures rather than punishing them.   This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® 100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you? Get your copy of the Amazon best-selling book by nationally recognized expert, Laurie Barkman that reveals how to build business value and plan for succession, transition, or selling the business on your terms....what every entrepreneur needs to know.  ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: https://btsherpa.com/book 📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories  _________________________________________________________________   Connect with Laurie Barkman:    Email: laurie@btsherpa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Book: https://btsherpa.com/book YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa      Connect with Harry Cohen:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-cohen-2594841/  Website: https://bethesunnotthesalt.com/

    35 min
  5. Sewing for Space with Aleksandra Bogunovic - The Entrepreneur Gene

    JUN 30

    Sewing for Space with Aleksandra Bogunovic - The Entrepreneur Gene

    Welcome to The Entrepreneur Gene! Host Laurie Barkman dives into the fascinating world of aerospace with Aleksandra Bogunovic, CEO of AeroThreads. Aleks turned her passion for sewing and fabrication into a thriving business that creates thermal blankets for spacecraft with materials that literally go to space! In this episode, we explore: Importance of grit in business. Aleks’ journey from working with NASA to founding AeroThreads. Challenges of leading a growing team in a rapidly evolving aerospace industry. Insights on maintaining company culture while scaling. Intersection of creativity and engineering in developing innovative solutions. Aleks shares her personal story, the influence of her immigrant family, and how her background in arts and finance shaped her entrepreneurial path.   Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the aerospace industry, this episode is packed with inspiration and valuable insights! Quote of the Show: “ Learn to trust your gut, even if you don't understand it.” - Aleksandra Bogunovic _________________________________________________________________ This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® 100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you? Get your copy of the Amazon best-selling book by nationally recognized expert, Laurie Barkman that reveals how to build business value and plan for succession, transition, or selling the business on your terms....what every entrepreneur needs to know.  ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book                            _________________________________________________________________ Connect with Laurie Barkman:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/ Connect with Aleks: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-bogunovic-49493228/ AeroThreads: https://www.aerothreads.com/contact

    27 min
  6. Why Start Exit Planning Now! Jim Carlisle

    JUN 19

    Why Start Exit Planning Now! Jim Carlisle

    You might have a buyer lined up — but that doesn’t mean your exit is guaranteed. In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Jim Carlisle , mergers and acquisitions attorney and chair of the National Growth and Exit Planning Group at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. With decades of experience guiding business owners through transitions, Jim shares insider insights into why even well-prepared exits can fall apart — and what you can do to avoid common pitfalls - and why it's never too soon to start planning ahead. This conversation is essential for entrepreneurs who want to ensure their hard work pays off,  both financially and personally, when it’s time to move on.   💬 Quote of the Episode: "If you don't like how the table is set… overturn the table." — Jim Carlisle Jim shares how this powerful mindset — borrowed from House of Cards — has shaped his approach to business deals and problem-solving. When things aren’t working, he encourages leaders to rethink, reinvent, and reset the rules — then march forward with confidence.   🔗 Resources Mentioned: Email: Jim.carlisle@dinsmore.com Mobile phone: 412-855-4333 ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book   This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® 📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories   More Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/ Book: https://btsherpa.com/book Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

    32 min
  7. Challenges, Choices, and Chapters, Julie Broad - The Entrepreneur Gene

    JUN 18

    Challenges, Choices, and Chapters, Julie Broad - The Entrepreneur Gene

    In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Julie Broad, President of Book Launchers, to discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, key decisions, and challenges in business growth. Julie shares her journey from growing up in a highway-side motel in Alberta, Canada to becoming a successful entrepreneur, author, and real estate investor. She offers insights on the importance of problem-solving and risk-taking and how she self-published her first book. Julie also talks about harnessing AI in her business, transitioning her company from California to Nevada, and her passions for pickleball and poker.    Takeaways: Entrepreneurs should look for gaps in the market and opportunities where they can provide unique solutions. When making strategic decisions, consult with your team. Their excitement and input can guide you toward the best opportunity to pursue next. Have a vision for where you want your business to go in the next few years. Although long-term plans can change, having a direction helps in making aligned decisions. Offering resources like a workbook or a guide, as Julie does with the seven steps to write a book, can help others and establish you as an authority in your field. Quote of the Show: “When somebody says, ‘That doesn't sound like a good idea.' I better go find out’.” - Julie Broad Connect with Julie Broad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebroad/  Website: https://booklaunchers.com/  Book Link: https://juliebroad.com/books/  Connect with Laurie Barkman: laurie@btsherpa.com  ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook: https://btsherpa.com/book 📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories   This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/   YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

    22 min
  8. Why Hiding Failure Hurts More Than It Helps - Brian Marshall

    JUN 10

    Why Hiding Failure Hurts More Than It Helps - Brian Marshall

    What happens when an entrepreneur faces massive failure — and how does that become their greatest asset?  In this powerful episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Brian Marshall, a leadership coach and business advisor who has spent over 40 years guiding entrepreneurs through personal and professional transformation. Brian shares his own deeply personal journey — from launching his first business at age 20, to experiencing devastating loss and failure in 2008, and ultimately building a new life helping others find freedom through ownership of their story.  This conversation is raw, real, and filled with insights about:      How failure can be the best teacher     Why vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s strength     The importance of planning your exit long before you’re ready to leave     And why owning your brokenness makes you a better leader       Whether you're facing a crossroads or just looking to lead more authentically, Brian’s story will challenge and inspire you to embrace your past — and shape your future — with courage.  💬 Quote of the Episode:      "Shame keeps entrepreneurs from talking about their real struggles. But hiding failure hurts more than it helps."         🔗 Resources Mentioned:  Brian Marshall’s Website: https://optimumperformanceplatform.com/ Connect with Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianmarshall/    Brian’s email: bmarshall@yourtgp.com   ✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book   This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® 📣 Write a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories   More Resources:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/ Book: https://btsherpa.com/book Course: https://btsherpa.com/course Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

    35 min
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About

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs from transition to transaction hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa®. Succession Stories explores the entrepreneurial stages of a business from growth to maturity focusing on value creation, exit planning, succession, and M&A for owner-led companies. If you are an entrepreneur looking for inspiration to create a more valuable business, or an owner who wants to figure out the best way to transition or sell their closely held company, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Laurie Barkman, Amazon best-selling author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Transition Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options." Learn more about Laurie's strategic business transition planning and M&A advisory services by visiting: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com

Information

  • Creator
    Laurie Barkman
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    206
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright @ Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa® 2020 - 2025
  • Show Website
    Succession Stories

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