Succession Stories

A.J. Lawrence is the host of the Beyond 8-Figures Podcast. Having sold several companies for 7-figure exits, A.J. continues to explore opportunities to reach $10 million and beyond and calls himself a journeyman entrepreneur finding joy in learning from others and implementing these insights.

Listen as host Laurie Barkman talks with A.J. about his experience building and selling businesses, dealing with issues, and finding a new path in acquisition entrepreneurship.

A.J. has an appreciation for learning from other entrepreneurs and how to deal with issues. You may feel that you're the only one having tough times, and that everyone else is succeeding. By listening to stories about how other entrepreneurs are on their journey, it becomes easier to see that it can be done.

Show Links:

www.beyond8figures.com

www.Ajlawrence.com

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

_______________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

If you're planning to sell your company one day, how transferable would it be to a new owner? Rebecca Monet joins host Laurie Barkman to share her story about building businesses, letting go, and tough lessons she learned along the way. Rebecca is the CEO and Chief Scientist of Zorakle Profiles. With her prior company, she developed intellectual property that fostered sales growth and a strong client relationship. What could have become a channel of growth unexpectedly became her biggest risk. Having trusted advisors on your side can help avoid unforeseen pitfalls like these.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Building a business with a view to exit
• Seeking trusted advisors to avert costly mistakes
• Potential red flags in contractual agreements
• Separating your identity from your business
• Finding your niche
• Making your business teachable and transferable

Show Links

https://www.zorakleprofiles.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamonet/

Succession Stories E4 Chris Cynkar

Succession Stories E28 Laura Coe

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

__________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

Much like a warrior, being an entrepreneur entails risk, struggle, grit, and bravery. How can you muster strength to push through even the greatest odds? On this episode, Zachary Green joins host Laurie Barkman to unpack how warrior principles can be applied to business. Zachary is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the founder and former CEO of MN8 LumAware/Foxfire. He grew the company from the trunk of his car to over $30 million in organic sales. His book, Warrior Entrepreneur, revolves around the science of growth that comes from challenge and adversity. These hardships prepare you for your crucible- the crisis that changes your life's trajectory.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Growing from adversity
• Market solutions to pain points, not the features
• Founder stepping back from the business to let it grow
• Value of advisory boards
• Addressing cash flow challenges for small businesses

Show links:

https://www.warriorentrepreneurbook.com/

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

_______________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

How do you master something you've never done before, like selling your business? Entrepreneurs don't start and build their companies on their own. And neither should they plan their business transition or exit strategy without trusted experts in their corner.

Jeffrey Feldberg is the Co-founder and CEO of Deep Wealth, a company that helps business owners learn how to prepare for a maximum-value exit.

Jeffrey founded and scaled an eLearning company, Embanet, with his partners and eventually sold the business. Incredibly, they rejected the first offer for seven figures, but ended up selling it two years later for nine figures.

Jeffrey tells the story behind the story of this impressive accomplishment.

Key to his success was understanding that the skills that he used to build his business were not the same skills to sell it. Having excellent advisors and preparing before a merger or acquisition also can help you increase the value.

You have one chance, don't gamble with your future. If you're thinking about selling your company one day, you'll want to take lots of notes. Enjoy this week's Succession Stories with Jeffrey Feldberg.

Show Links:

www.deepwealth.com

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners from transition to transaction. From building value to letting go. Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

_______________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

98% of business owners don't know what their business is worth. It's risky not to know what the value of your business is since it may be the largest piece of your net worth. This can be a problem for owners who are not able to recoup their investment when they want to retire.

Kristi Posluszny and Fred Kaplan from Stony Hill Advisors join host Laurie Barkman to discuss business valuations. Stony Hill is a mergers and acquisitions advisory firm for small to mid-size companies across the US.

Kristi has a background in Investment Banking and Middle Market M&A with a focus on advising companies through a sale process to both strategic and financial acquirers. Fred is a former middle-market CFO and financial consultant, and has advised companies and performed due diligence on M&A and investment transactions in various industries.

Listen in as they discuss common myths around business valuation, valuation methodologies, and why it's important to measure value.

Show Links

Stony Hill Advisors: www.stonyhilladvisors.com

Kristi Lutes Bio: https://stonyhilladvisors.com/kristi-lutes

Fred Kaplan Bio: https://stonyhilladvisors.com/fred-kaplan

Stony Hill Valuation Webinar on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkRo64JIKjs

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, the Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

_______________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

Health and happiness after selling your company is often ignored. Business owners race hard to maximize monetary returns, but is it the ultimate finish line? This week on Succession Stories, Mark Fujiwara joins Laurie Barkman for a conversation about the succession journey. Mark Fujiwara is a Director at Baird, bringing solutions to 8-figure and 9-figure families and businesses. Working with many clients over the past 30 years who have been through succession and business exits, Mark has seen first-hand how selling the business means more than just the dollar amount of the transaction.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Multi-family offices - what they are and how they function
• The challenges of navigating succession and transition alone
• Preparing for M&A transitions on an emotional level
• Importance of pre-M&A planning
• Goal setting beyond financial outcomes

Show links:

markfujiwara.com

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, the Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

_______________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

Succession Stories welcomes Nike Anani back to the show. Nike is an international award-winning entrepreneur, succession specialist, and legacy planning expert for future-focused business families. She's the host of The Connected Generation, a top 10 podcast for family enterprises globally. Nike joins Laurie Barkman for a conversation on how families can better connect, collaborate, and create to encourage diversity of thought to co-create the businesses of the future that they envision.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Why founders need to invest in relational factors for smooth transition
• Having conversations on the future of the business early enough
• The importance of connection and emotional proximity
• How empathy fosters collaboration and co-creation
• The difference between legacy and sustainability, transforming and transition

Show links:

nikeanani.com/book

Nike Anani Succession Stories E60: https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/60-founder-succession-to-the-next-generation-nike-anani/

Laurie Barkman on Connected Generation Podcast E100: https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/innovative-growth-podcast/innovation-growth-and-selling-the-family-business-laurie-barkman-on-the-connected-generation-podcast/

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, the Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

_______________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

We're rewinding the first 100 episodes of the Succession Stories Podcast. Host Laurie Barkman shares favorite clips spotlighting key themes of the show– innovation, growth, and transition. Today's Rewind topics include next generation leadership, corporate innovation, enterprise value scorecards, and succession.

This episode re-broadcasts clips from conversations with just a few in a long list of extraordinary guests.

Show Links:

• Lisa Laird Dunn and Gerard Dunn, Laird & Company (E34)
• Karen Norheim, American Crane and Equipment Corporation (E50)
• Steve Peplin, Talan Products (E69)
• Beth Miller, Executive Velocity (E74)

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, the Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

____________________________________

Support the show

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast

(https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman)

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

Celebrating the 100th episode of Succession Stories!

Guest host Lou Diamond interviews Laurie Barkman to reflect on the journey of the show, favorite episodes, and more milestones to come.

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, the Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show!

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com

___________________________________

Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

How do you handle unexpected tragedy when an owner passes away? Jennifer Ake Marriott is the second generation President of Ake Environmental, a company founded by her father. She is also the CEO of Redmond Waltz, the first non-family leader of the privately held company.

Jenn joins host Laurie Barkman to share her experience with two companies that went through unexpected succession, what helped the companies move forward, and what derailed progress. This episode will help you think about business continuity and how to mitigate risks of an unexpected transition.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Recovering from loss in a family business
• Involving employees in the succession process
• Handling changes in company culture
• How small businesses can benefit from strategic plans
• Reducing disruption with process documentation
• Why it's important to have conversations around succession planning

Show Links:

[email protected]

https://redmondwaltz.com/

Don't leave your exit to chance.

Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell.

Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.

About Succession Stories Podcast

Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, the Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction."

Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com

Book a 1:1 Advisory call at:

www.meetlauriebarkman.com

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