Succession Stories Podcast. Insights for transition success.
Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs from transition to transaction hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa.
The show received the 28th Annual Communicator Award for Audio & Podcast Excellence and is ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally.
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.
Available on all podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Show Sponsor:
Succession
Stories
Podcast
Focusing on transition success
Succession Stories Podcast guides entrepreneurs from transition to transaction- from building value in your business to letting go. Tune-in for insights to reward your hard work and avoid succession regrets. Available on all podcast platforms.
Hosted by Laurie Barkman, the Business Transition Sherpa
Show Sponsor:
Dive into the latest Succession Stories Podcast. Browse by category or search by title/keyword, episode number, or guest name.
E42: Be Your Own Culture Catalyst – Julie Ann Sullivan | Succession Stories with Laurie Barkman
https://youtu.be/bofPCTatoKw Laurie Barkman is joined by Julie Ann Sullivan, an international best-selling author, speaker, and business culture expert. What’s the big “why” around company culture? First it’s dollars. Morale and attitudes affect...
E41: Get Your Family Out of Your Head – Bonnie Artman Fox
https://youtu.be/Zd1KJZywAAo Did you know that unresolved conflict costs organizations about $359 billion in paid hours every year? Laurie Barkman talks withBonnie Artman Fox, author of How Did My Family Get In My Office? Bonnie is a workplace...
E40: Sustainable Innovation | Kent Johnson – CEO, Highlights
Listen to the episode https://youtu.be/obro2oNedd0 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...
Succession Stories E39: Creating a Customer Culture – Dr. Kelly Henry
https://youtu.be/fP0tIbCtx8A In this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman is joined by Dr. Kelly Henry, a successful chiropractor and entrepreneur. Dr. Henry shares how a customer service culture led his practice to be among the top 10%...
E38: Building Your Competitive Moat with Phillip Swan
Listen to Succession Stories E38: https://youtu.be/2S6im5QWpN0 Want to differentiate your business? Build a competitive moat by mapping out your customers' journey to discover what matters most to them. Laurie Barkman, host of Succession Stories,...
E37: What’s Next | Maximizing Your Life – Ann Bernard
Listen to Succession Stories E37: 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 story will...
E36: Avoiding Succession Planning Mistakes – Beth Armknect Miller
Listen to the episode: 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. This episode delivers insights how to prepare for...
Selling Your Business for Big Profit – Laurie Barkman on Everyday MBA Podcast
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 and founder of SmallDotBig, a value acceleration...
E35: Defining Wealth – Robb McKinney, Bridgeview Wealth
Listen to the episode https://youtu.be/qf3Jys7JJKM 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...
E34: Cheers to 10th Generation Innovation – Lisa Laird Dunn, Gerard Dunn, Laird & Co.
Listen to the podcast: Watch the episode teaser: https://youtu.be/UtBZ5ud_0kM 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...
E33: The Zen of Business Acquisitions – Tom Hine, CEO Capital Wealth Management
Listen to the episode: 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 seven wealth management...
E32: Building Your Employer Brand and Cultivating Culture – Tiffany Castagno, CEO CEPHR
Listen to the episode: 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 succession and transition...
How to Build and Sustain a Successful, Enduring Enterprise
Listen to the episode: https://youtu.be/nQHkRWsfDr8 Most of us get a glimpse into the world of complex business families by watching shows like "Succession" and "Dallas." Josh Baron, co-founder and Partner at BanyanGlobal, has had a front row seat...
E30: What’s Next Series | David Gamble – Redefining Success After the NFL
Listen to the episode: 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 win with the Denver...
E29: CEO Succession and Letting Go – Bruce Walton, Battalia Winston
Listen to the episode 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 executive search firms, onto the...
E28: Creating a Global Franchise – Laura Coe, Snapology
Listen to the episode: 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 classroom. Laura shared how...
E27: What’s Next Series | Jeffrey K. Walker – From Vetrepreneur to Authorpreneur
Listen to the Succession Stories podcast: 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 and...
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E26: M&A Deals and Transition Planning – Christopher Brodman, Metz Lewis
Listen to the Succession Stories podcast: https://youtu.be/tdSqUmrUGzE 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...
E25: Launching a Startup in a 90-Year Old Company – Janet Wischnia
Listen to the Succession Stories podcast: 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 “Made...
The Prospecting Show
Episode 89 - The Transition from Corporate America to Hometown Entrepreneur with Laurie Barkman Episode Description This episode covers the ups and downs associated with leaving corporate America and transitioning into the small business world....
E24: Introducing the What’s Next Series | Cheryl Fields – Lifestyle Wealth Group
Listen to the Succession Stories podcast: https://youtu.be/oo6jUDFICpQ 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...
E23: The Power of Connecting with Lou Diamond
Listen to the Podcast: 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 year and not everyone is...
E22: Clearing Blurred Lines of Business Transition with Chris Chaney
Listen to the Succession Stories podcast: Laurie Barkman and Chris Chaney talk transition planning for business owners. Many owners do not yet have robust transition plans in place. It feels complicated because of blurred lines between personal...
Create and Transfer Business Value with Laurie Barkman
Episode 93: Create and Transfer Business Value with Laurie Barkman This week, Laurie Barkman shares all about the art of creating and transferring business value on The DealQuest Podcast with Corey Kupfer. Read a blog post article about the episode...
Why They Listen Podcast
If you share messages on an ongoing basis, then you probably care about WHY people listen. My friend Lou Diamond captures these insights in his new show, WHY THEY LISTEN. It was fun to share my WHY ...about launching the Succession Stories Podcast...
E21: Embracing a New Landscape | Elizabeth McCormick, UniGlobe Travel Designers
Listen to the episode: 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, relationships, and fresh...
E20: Shaping a Successful Next Act After the Sale – Evan J. Segal
Listen to the episode: 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 also tells how he created...
E19: Rediscovering Your Entrepreneurial Vision – Sean Ammirati
Listen to the episode: 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. Listen in as they discuss how...
E18: Ann Dugan – Enterprising Generations
Listen to the episode: 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 governance, and family...
E17: Strategic Planning for Succession, Bradley Franc | Season 1 Finale
Listen to the episode: 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 part of strategic...
E16: Controlling Your Destiny – Mary Richter, Schneider Downs
Listen to the episode: 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 planning and succession...
E15: Ups and Downs After the Sale – Doug Austin, James Austin Company
Listen to the episode: 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, about his experience...
E14: 2nd Gen CEO Success From Turnaround to Strategic Sale – Dawn Fuchs Coleman
Listen to the episode: 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 expect it, leading a...
E13: Search Fund Acquisitions – Jamie Van Buren, Generational Transfer Entrepreneurs
Listen to the episode: 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 Buren, Managing Director of...
E12: Leading From Disaster to Transformation – Will Knecht, Wendell August
Listen to the episode: 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 fire nearly destroyed...
E11: Investing in Family Businesses and Emerging Entrepreneurs – Bobby Zappala & Andy Ellis
Listen to the episode: 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-term growth and the...
Podcast appearance: Growth & Innovation Through Transitions – Agile Giants
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 Tepper classroom as an instructor. It was a...
E10: Entrepreneurial Resilience – Len Caric, CEO Uncle Charley’s Sausage
Listen to the episode: 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 challenge. Listen in as...
E09: Avoiding Transition Pitfalls – Jason Seltzer, EHD
Listen to the episode here or in your favorite podcast software. 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...
E08: Addressing the Transition Dilemma – Joe Bute, Hollymead Capital
Listen to the full episode using the player below: 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? On this episode, we focus on liquidity options for family...
E07: Financial Succession Planning- Brian Baum, Business Transition Group
Listen to the full episode using the player below: 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...
E06: Succession and Innovation as 6th Gen Entrepreneur with Michael Schoedinger and Jill Hofmans
Listen to the episode: 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 Center for Family...
Podcast appearance: Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond
I'm fortunate to know some amazing people who bring out the best in others, Lou Diamond is one of them. It was a blast being a guest on Lou's podcast ThriveLoud with Lou Diamond. We covered a lot of ground from our college years, to my career and...
E05: Ageless Startup, Author Rick Terrien
Listen to the full episode using the player below: 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...
Episode 03: Navigating Family Succession – Shelley Taylor, ABARTA Family Council Chair
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 Family Council Chair for ABARTA, a 3rd and 4th...
Episode 02: Jim Rooney – Dan Rooney, Pittsburgh Steelers and Leadership Legacy
Stream the episode 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. Jim wrote the book about his father and the family...
Episode 01: Bringing an Entrepreneurial Culture to 120 Year Old Company, Tony Uphoff CEO Thomas
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 podcast. In his presentation, Tony discussed his...
Growing the Value of Your Company: EP Podcast with Laurie Barkman
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 important for business owners to have a thoughtful...
E20: Shaping a Successful Next Act After the Sale – Evan J. Segal
Listen to the episode: 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 also tells how he created...
E18: Ann Dugan – Enterprising Generations
Listen to the episode: 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 governance, and family...
E17: Strategic Planning for Succession, Bradley Franc | Season 1 Finale
Listen to the episode: 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 part of strategic...
E16: Controlling Your Destiny – Mary Richter, Schneider Downs
Listen to the episode: 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 planning and succession...
E15: Ups and Downs After the Sale – Doug Austin, James Austin Company
Listen to the episode: 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, about his experience...
E14: 2nd Gen CEO Success From Turnaround to Strategic Sale – Dawn Fuchs Coleman
Listen to the episode: 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 expect it, leading a...
E13: Search Fund Acquisitions – Jamie Van Buren, Generational Transfer Entrepreneurs
Listen to the episode: 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 Buren, Managing Director of...
E11: Investing in Family Businesses and Emerging Entrepreneurs – Bobby Zappala & Andy Ellis
Listen to the episode: 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-term growth and the...
E10: Entrepreneurial Resilience – Len Caric, CEO Uncle Charley’s Sausage
Listen to the episode: 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 challenge. Listen in as...
E09: Avoiding Transition Pitfalls – Jason Seltzer, EHD
Listen to the episode here or in your favorite podcast software. 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...
E08: Addressing the Transition Dilemma – Joe Bute, Hollymead Capital
Listen to the full episode using the player below: 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? On this episode, we focus on liquidity options for family...
E07: Financial Succession Planning- Brian Baum, Business Transition Group
Listen to the full episode using the player below: 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...
E06: Succession and Innovation as 6th Gen Entrepreneur with Michael Schoedinger and Jill Hofmans
Listen to the episode: 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 Center for Family...
E05: Ageless Startup, Author Rick Terrien
Listen to the full episode using the player below: 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...
Episode 03: Navigating Family Succession – Shelley Taylor, ABARTA Family Council Chair
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 Family Council Chair for ABARTA, a 3rd and 4th...
Episode 02: Jim Rooney – Dan Rooney, Pittsburgh Steelers and Leadership Legacy
Stream the episode 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. Jim wrote the book about his father and the family...
Episode 01: Bringing an Entrepreneurial Culture to 120 Year Old Company, Tony Uphoff CEO Thomas
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 podcast. In his presentation, Tony discussed his...
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