How Civil Firm Owners Can Plan a Smart Exit From Day One With Laurie Barkman episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 19, 2026 · 30 MIN

How Civil Firm Owners Can Plan a Smart Exit From Day One With Laurie Barkman

from The Civil Engineering Academy Podcast · host Isaac Oakeson

Do you know the biggest mistake AEC firm owners make? 🤔They get lost in the busy work and never plan how they’ll leave the business one day. That’s why this episode with Laurie Barkman is huge!Known as the “Business Transition Sherpa,” she’s a M&A advisor who helps owners scale their firms smarter…and exit them stronger.She’s a former CEO who led a $100M company through the acquisition process — and now she works specifically with AEC firms to help their owners set themselves for a transition the right way.In this episode, we dive into all things business for a civil engineering firm. Valuation metrics, how to navigate the acquisition process, why a 50/50 partnership is not the way to go, and a lot more!So, if you’re running a civil firm now — or plan to start one one day — this episode will get you thinking long-term. Because no matter whether you sell it, pass it on, or step away, you don’t want to wing it…and then be trapped into the business until your late 60s.Right?🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:2 Things Engineers Need to Know Before They Get Into Business Side of EngineeringWhy a Business Partnership Should NEVER Be 50/50The Biggest Mistake Any Firm Owner Can Make That Makes Life Difficult LaterShould All Owners Be Looking to Sell the Business? Is It the Only Way Out?Where Does the Owner's Successor Come From? (Hint: Not What You Think)What's The Business Transition Handbook All About?How to Valuate Your Own Engineering BusinessThe Right Way to Find Buyers When You're Interested in SellingHer Mastermind Group to Help Owners Set up Their Business for a Profit ExitWhat She Recommends for Every New Engineer Getting into Business for the First Time🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Business Transition Handbook, by Laurie BarkmanSuccession Stories PodcastB.U.I.L.T. Leader CirclesB.U.I.L.T. Freedom™ CourseIngersoll Rand💬 CONNECT WITH LAURIE:LinkedInWebsiteLaurie's Advisory Consultation🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

Do you know the biggest mistake AEC firm owners make? 🤔They get lost in the busy work and never plan how they’ll leave the business one day. That’s why this episode with Laurie Barkman is huge!Known as the “Business Transition Sherpa,” she’s a M&A advisor who helps owners scale their firms smarter…and exit them stronger.She’s a former CEO who led a $100M company through the acquisition process — and now she works specifically with AEC firms to help their owners set themselves for a transition the right way.In this episode, we dive into all things business for a civil engineering firm. Valuation metrics, how to navigate the acquisition process, why a 50/50 partnership is not the way to go, and a lot more!So, if you’re running a civil firm now — or plan to start one one day — this episode will get you thinking long-term. Because no matter whether you sell it, pass it on, or step away, you don’t want to wing it…and then be trapped into the business until your late 60s.Right?🧠 TUNE IN TO LEARN:2 Things Engineers Need to Know Before They Get Into Business Side of EngineeringWhy a Business Partnership Should NEVER Be 50/50The Biggest Mistake Any Firm Owner Can Make That Makes Life Difficult LaterShould All Owners Be Looking to Sell the Business? Is It the Only Way Out?Where Does the Owner's Successor Come From? (Hint: Not What You Think)What's The Business Transition Handbook All About?How to Valuate Your Own Engineering BusinessThe Right Way to Find Buyers When You're Interested in SellingHer Mastermind Group to Help Owners Set up Their Business for a Profit ExitWhat She Recommends for Every New Engineer Getting into Business for the First Time🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:The Business Transition Handbook, by Laurie BarkmanSuccession Stories PodcastB.U.I.L.T. Leader CirclesB.U.I.L.T. Freedom™ CourseIngersoll Rand💬 CONNECT WITH LAURIE:LinkedInWebsiteLaurie's Advisory Consultation🎁 OUR FREEBIES FOR YOU:The Civil FE Startup GuideThe Civil PE Startup Guide🖥️ OUR REVIEW COURSES:Civil FE Review CourseCivil PE Review Courses📚 OUR PRACTICE EXAMS:FE Practice ExamsFE CBT Exam SimulatorPE Bonus Theory QuestionsPE Practice ExamsPE CBT Exam SimulatorFE Environmental Practice ExamPE Environmental Practice Exam📱 CONNECT WITH CEA!WebsiteNewsletterFree CEA CommunityLinkedInYouTube [email protected]

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How Civil Firm Owners Can Plan a Smart Exit From Day One With Laurie Barkman

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This episode is 30 minutes long.

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This episode was published on February 19, 2026.

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Do you know the biggest mistake AEC firm owners make? 🤔They get lost in the busy work and never plan how they’ll leave the business one day. That’s why this episode with Laurie Barkman is huge!Known as the “Business Transition Sherpa,” she’s a M&A...

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