Succession Stories
Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs through the journey of transition to transaction, with an exclusive limited series called The Entrepreneur Gene™ Hosted by Laurie Barkman—The Business Transition Sherpa®, nationally recognized business advisor, and Amazon best-selling author of *The Business Transition Handbook*—the show explores the full entrepreneurial lifecycle: from growth to maturity, value creation to exit planning, succession, and M&A for owner-led companies. If you’re an entrepreneur looking for inspiration to build a more valuable business, or a business owner seeking the best way to transition or sell your closely held company, this podcast is for you. Each episode provides actionable insights, expert conversations, and real-world stories to help you navigate one of the most important chapters in your entrepreneurial journey. 🎙️ Learn more at https://btsherpa.com
Episodes
“ Don't be a jack of all social media sites, master of none.” Host Laurie Barkman interviews digital marketing expert Corey Perlman of Impact Social. They discuss Corey's entrepreneurial journey influenced by his parents' careers, the evolving landscape of digital marketing, and the role and potential of AI in the industry. Corey shares insights on building and managing successful teams, the importance of focusing on k...
“We’re in the business of making people happy!” John and Mark X. Cronin are father-son co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks. Host Laurie Barkman talks with John and Mark about the inspiring story of their unique business model, inclusion, and commitment to spreading happiness. Over half of their employees have differing abilities.
The discussion covers innovative approaches to customer satisfaction, success ...
What’s the most important value to have when you’re running your own business? According to Molly McGrath, Founder of Hiring and Empowering Solutions, it’s accountability.
Listen in as Host Laurie Barkman talks with Molly about her unique perspective on the entrepreneur gene - a desire for control and freedom, stemming from an anti-authoritarian mindset. Molly highlights the importance of teaching employee...
What does six generations of entrepreneurship get you? Find out as Host Laurie Barkman talks with Jim Haviland, Business Operating System Coach at Impact Architects and Chief Operating Officer at CallPlease.
Jim shares his insights on building and exiting organizations, the entrepreneurial gene, and the importance of exit planning. He discusses the significance of having a clear purpose, the necessity of ...
“ It's really hard out there. Other people will beat you up. You don't have to do it to yourself.” - Jennifer Bisceglie
This week on The Entrepreneur Gene - a featured series of Succession Stories - Host Laurie Barkman talks with Jennifer Bisceglie, Founder and Executive Vice Chair of Interos.
Jennifer discusses the concept of identity for owners- as part of the business and outside of your company. She shares the chal...
“ The flip of one-to-one communication to a one-to-few communication is going to become priceless. It's all about connection.” - Casey Cheshire
What kinds of risks are the ones worth taking when it comes to entrepreneurship? Casey Cheshire, CEO of Ringmaster Conversational Marketing, believes smart risks are the key to success.
Host Laurie Barkman talks with Casey about the importance of risk tolerance, l...
“The big learning for me is leaning on your team, leaning on your network, leaning on your colleagues. Because you don't have the capacity to be thoughtful in all of these different areas.” - Christopher Antonopoulos
What does it take to be an entrepreneur? Christopher Antonopoulos, CEO and Founder of Measured Results Marketing, claims the secret is the genetic propensity and how it combines with environmental factors....
“ When it's built with your own hands or with your own will, I felt like it was a little bit more of my own success than somebody else doing it for me.” - Matt Chiaradonna
Have you ever been thrown into running a business? Matt Chiaradonna, a family business entrepreneur leading JC Fence and Founder of Elite Technique sure has. Host Laurie Barkman talks with Matt about his journey from growing up in a family business, ...
“ I followed what's in my heart and I’m moving forward to fill this gap and this need for the workplace of the future.” - Pete Schramm
Host Laurie Barkman interviews Pete Schramm, Founder and CEO of Lattitude. A serial entrepreneur, award-winning speaker, and bestselling author of Pathfinders, Pete is on a mission to foster meaningful, sustainable relationships in the workplace. As the founder of Lattitude, he’s cultiv...
“I love giving voice to people who don't necessarily or historically have a voice with those who are selling to them.” - Cooper Munroe
Host Laurie Barkman speaks with Cooper Munroe, CEO of The Motherhood, a leading influencer marketing agency. They delve into Cooper's journey from corporate PR to creating The Motherhood, sparked from a blog post about Hurricane Katrina. Cooper discusses the unique challenges and attrib...
“Entrepreneurship is in everyone. It just gets expressed in different ways.” Luke Williams
Show host Laurie Barkman welcomes Luke Williams, Founder/CEO of IdeaSkills and Clinical Associate Professor of Innovation and Design at NYU Stern School of Business.
They discuss whether entrepreneurship can be taught and delve into the importance of fostering innovative mindsets within established companies. Luke shares insights from his bo...
“Simply treating people with respect, with dignity and agency, has been really counterculture and I hope that that becomes a more infectious and attractive way to work.” - Brea Starmer
Host Laurie Barkman interviews Brea Starmer, Founder and CEO of Lions and Tigers. Brea shares her experience of turning a layoff into a successful busines...
“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 ...
“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, bui...
“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 ...
“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 differentia...
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:
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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-prep...
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 hi...
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