PODCAST · business
Succession Stories
by Laurie Barkman
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
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237: What Buyers and Sellers Must Know About SBA Financing in 2026, with Aaron Aldrich, Northwest Bank
Podcast Episode Description "It is never too early to come and talk to a lender." SBA lending rules are changing in ways that every business buyer, seller, and advisor needs to understand before they get to the closing table. Aaron Aldrich of Northwest Bank breaks down what is new, what it means...
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236: Stop Delegating. Start Offboarding, with Michele Hecken, Author of The Art of Offboarding
Description "We build the business for freedom and then we become the slaves of it." Michele Hecken built a global language services company from a fax machine and a kitchen table in 1993, grew it while raising two kids under three, and eventually got it down to four to ten hours a week for…
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235: Why Execution Beats Strategy Every Time with Patrick Thean, Rhythm Systems
Podcast Episode Description "You are the leadership lid of your company. If you don't grow yourself, you will top out the growth of the company." Host Laurie Barkman sits down with Patrick Thean, co-founder of Rhythm Systems and author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Rhythm and The Journey…
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234: The State of Exit Planning in 2026 with Scott Snider, Exit Planning Institute
Podcast Episode Description "A successful exit isn't about leaving your business. It's about leaving the world a better place after you leave it." Host Laurie Barkman welcomes back Scott Snider, President of the Exit Planning Institute — the organization behind the Certified Exit Planning Advisor...
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233: What It Really Takes to Build a Business Ready for Transition with Alan Bennett, Trust Built Solutions
Podcast Episode Description: "It's an exit plan, not an exit due." Host Laurie Barkman sits down with Alan Bennett, founder of Trust Built Solutions and exit planning coach who has lived through three very different business exits — a retail meat market that he closed in 2008, a contract catering...
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232: A Family Business Succession Done Right with Jennifer Wilson, Oak Bay Coaching and Consulting
"These are long-term decisions that have far-reaching impacts — not just for us, but for future generations." Host Laurie Barkman sits down with Jennifer Wilson, founder of Oak Bay Coaching and Consulting and former CEO of the Canada Homestay Network — a family business her mother started in 1995...
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231: Leadership Mistakes Destroying Your Succession Plan with Chip Scholz, Scholz and Associates
"There's a time when an exit is going to be inevitable — there may not be a time certain, but there is a time." Host Laurie Barkman reunites with Chip Scholz, founder of Scholz and Associates and author of Small Decisions, Big Shifts and the upcoming Handoffs, for a deeply personal and insightful...
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230: The Multi-Million Retirement Opportunity Advisors Miss with Susan Latremoille
"Don't just sit there and coast along thinking your financial prowess is going to win the day." Host Laurie Barkman sits down with Susan Latremoille, Founder of Next Chapter Lifestyle Advisors, and discusses the retirement myth and the conversation that the advisors are missing. Susan spent…
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229: Profit From What You Know with James Allen, Profit Your Knowledge
"Don't do what you think the world needs, do what makes you come alive." Most entrepreneurs sitting on decades of hard-won expertise have no idea that knowledge alone could be their next business. James Allen is the founder of Profit Your Knowledge, a platform helping coaches, creators, and…
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228: Scaling Smart, Exiting Intentionally with Bruce Eckfeldt
"Exit planning is good business, not just about exits. Doing exit planning is going to help your business today." Too many founder CEOs pour years into scaling their company without ever building a plan for what comes next — and it costs them. Bruce Eckfeldt is a former Inc. 500 CEO who scaled,...
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227: Protecting People, Legacy, and Culture with Amy Veltri, NGE
"The day you start your business, you should know your exit strategy." Host Laurie Barkman sits down with Amy Veltri, Co-Founder and CEO of NGE, an environmental and geotechnical engineering firm. Amy built the company with her brother nearly 20 years ago, and made the deliberate choice to...
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226: Building Value Beyond the Founder: The Structural Capital Advantage, Steve Preda
"Profitability rewards the founder. Transferability rewards the future." In many founder-led businesses — especially those under $10 million — the owner is the strategy, the rainmaker, and the decision-maker. But what happens when the business can't operate without you? In this episode of...
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225: How Smart Business Owners Plan For The Unexpected with Scott Arden
"No one's promised tomorrow." Host Laurie Barkman talks with Scott Arden, Chairman of Controllers Ltd and Managing Partner of Generational Wealth Solutions, about the intricacies of financial strategies for business owners. Controllers Limited focuses on advanced strategies for asset protection…
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224: The B.U.I.L.T.™ Method for Business Growth and Transition with Laurie Barkman
🎙️ Business growth and succession planning start long before an exit. In this special Succession Stories swapcast, Laurie Barkman introduces the B.U.I.L.T.™ Method, a practical framework for building value and preparing for business transition. 🔓 This episode features Laurie's guest appearance…
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223: Optometrist to Tech Maven, Journey in Revolutionizing Eye Care with Dr. Brianna Rhue
In this episode, Laurie Barkman is joined by Dr. Brianna Rhue, optometrist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Dr Contact Lens. Brianna shares her journey from a private practice owner to a tech maven, driven by the need to solve a critical "leaky bucket" problem: doctors losing contact lens sales…
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222: Courageous Pivot From Corporate Job to Business Ownership with Aashay Kumar
🎧 Tune in to learn the realities of entrepreneurship through acquisition, from the search process to surviving economic uncertainty in the first year. Laurie Barkman sits down with Aashay Kumar, owner of Tri-Form, Inc. Aashay shares his story of leaving a corporate career to buy an existing...
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221: How to Finance a Business Transition or Acquisition, David Miller
What does it take to finance a business transition or acquisition? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with David Miller, Executive Vice President at Enterprise Bank, to demystify lending for business owners — from SBA loans to insider buyouts. David shares how banks assess deals, why...
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220: Steep Learning Curves, Brandon Stanchock - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Brandon Stanchock, CEO of SWF Industrial Inc. Brandon discusses his journey to take the helm of a family business. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, employee development, and implementing innovative collaboration strategies in the industrial sector. The...
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219: Find Passion, Don't Just Chase The Dollar, Larry Whiteside Jr - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Larry Whiteside Jr., an expert in information security, risk management, and entrepreneurship. Larry discusses his journey from cybersecurity to becoming the Co-Owner of Lifesaver Pool Fence of Tampa and Co-Founder of Confide. Larry emphasizes the importance of…
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218: The Maverick Mind of an Entrepreneur, Travis Howerton - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
" Treat people well, work hard, have a plan." Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Travis Howerton, a technology and security expert with over 25 years of experience. Travis shares his journey from federal service and the nuclear weapons program to becoming the Co-Founder and CEO of RegScale. They…
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217: Nurturing Legacies, Corey Perlman - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
" 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...
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216: The Sockfluencers: Spreading Happiness, John and Mark X. Cronin - The Entrepreneur Gene
"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...
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215: All In On Accountability, Molly McGrath - The Entrepreneur Gene
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…
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214: Genetically Entrepreneur, Jim Haviland - The Entrepreneur Gene
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,...
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213: Balancing Business and Identity, Jennifer Bisceglie - The Entrepreneur Gene
" 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....
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212: Embracing Smart Risks, Casey Cheshire - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
" 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…
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211: Propensity and Passion, Christopher Antonopoulos- The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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…
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210: Crafting Family Legacies, Matt Chiaradonna - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
" 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...
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209: Assembling Your Personal Board, Pete Schramm - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
" 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…
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208: The Power of Influence, Cooper Munroe - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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...
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207: Disruptive Innovation, Luke Williams - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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…
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206: Lions and Tigers and Entrepreneurs, Oh My! Brea Starmer - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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...
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205: Entrepreneurs Are Made if Not Born, Jaclyn Beatty - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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...
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204: Risk, Resolve, Results, Harry Haywood - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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…
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203: Accidental Entrepreneurship, Jessica Kenyon - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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....
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202: Embracing Heliotropic Leadership with Dr. Harry Cohen - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"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…
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201: Sewing for Space with Aleksandra Bogunovic - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
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…
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200: 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…
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199: Challenges, Choices, and Chapters, Julie Broad - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
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...
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198: 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...
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197: Delusional Optimism - Gregory Silvano - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"It's not just part of your personality to be a successful entrepreneur. It takes a lot more than just being a risk-taking delusional optimist." Laurie Barkman interviews Gregory Silvano, CEO of Buyist. Greg shares his entrepreneurial journey to founding his own companies, emphasizing resilience,...
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196: Transform Your Business Into a Lasting Legacy - Mark L. Vincent
What happens when an entire executive team retires at once? How do you ensure leadership continuity, preserve company culture, and protect long-term value? In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Mark L. Vincent, founder of Design Group International and expert…
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195: Embracing Tenacity in Entrepreneurship, Taylor Abbett - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"There's going to be times where people are going to doubt you and they might be envious of your success, but I think if you're tenacious and you believe in yourself, that'll get you a long way." - Taylor Abbett Host Laurie Barkman interviews Taylor Abbett, Co-Founder of JARVIS XR and President…
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194: How Storytelling Defines Your Business Legacy, Paul Furiga
What makes your business memorable? What sets it apart—not just in the marketplace, but in the minds of customers, employees, investors, and potential buyers? Laurie Barkman sits down with Paul Furiga, founder and chief storyteller at Word Write Agency and author of Finding Your Capital S Story....
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193: Engineering Entrepreneurial Foundations, Charlie Buscarino - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"As one takes the journey, you start to make decisions that when collected become the components that are foundational to being an entrepreneur." - Charlie Buscarino Host Laurie Barkman interviews Charlie Buscarino, the Founder and CEO of The Clarient Group. Charlie shares his path from...
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192: Ask Why, Succeed Wise - Dean Minuto - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"Every entrepreneur sees that in trial, there's treasure." - Dean Minuto Host Laurie Barkman interviews Dean Minuto, President of YESCALATE. Dean shares his insights on entrepreneurship and the development of crucial skills necessary for success. The discussion emphasizes the importance of asking...
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191: Optimism and Embracing Life-Long Learning - Susan Quinn - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"I always knew I wanted to do something where I was the person deciding my own destiny, but it's not for everyone." - Susan Quinn Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Susan Quinn, CEO and President of Circle S Studio. The conversation first explores whether entrepreneurial traits are inherited or…
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190: Know Honesty: The Power of Transparent Communications - Ken Bogard and Grace Gavin
What does it take to build stronger teams and more effective leaders? For Ken Bogard and Grace Gavin, it begins with a commitment to honesty. Laurie Barkman sits down with Ken and Grace—co-founders of Know Honesty and authors of the new book by the same name—for a compelling conversation about…
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189: Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Living - Bill Spohn - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
"You don't want to be in the role of telling people what to do, but it's encouraging people to do what you think is right, but also being open to learn from them." - Bill Spohn In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman welcomes Bill Spohn, President and CEO of Tru Tech Tools…
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188: Nurturing the Entrepreneurial Spirit, Pallavi Golla - The Entrepreneur Gene Series
Do you have the conviction to pursue your big idea? In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman interviews Pallavi Golla, a serial entrepreneur and professional EOS implementer at EOS Worldwide. They discuss the concept of the entrepreneurial gene, the importance of nurturing...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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
HOSTED BY
Laurie Barkman
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Succession Stories have?
Succession Stories currently has 239 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Succession Stories about?
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...
How often does Succession Stories release new episodes?
Succession Stories publishes regularly with 239 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Succession Stories?
You can listen to Succession Stories on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Succession Stories?
Succession Stories is created and hosted by Laurie Barkman.
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