Succession Stories

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 they discovered a market niche and eventually adopted a global franchise model. The company has expanded to 150 locations across twelve countries.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Growing from her kitchen table to a global franchise
• How letting go was key to their growth
• Bringing in capable leaders and advisors
• Working alongside her siblings
• How Snapology company values helped drive business decisions during the pandemic
• Quickly adapting to an online environment benefiting kids and their families when they needed the support most

Show notes:

Snapology website

Connect with the host, Laurie Barkman on SmallDotBig.com and sign-up for an insights newsletter to build value in your company.

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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 former JAG prosecutor. Jeff grew a military consulting practice that took him to 34 countries over seven years before parting ways with his partners. Eventually Jeff followed his true passion- writing, and became an award-winning author of World War I historical fiction novels. If you're thinking about a transition in your business, this episode may provide inspiration to help you find your next.

Listen to learn more about:

• Jeff's succession story about fractured family relationships and reconciliation
• Knowing when it was time to make a change
• Separating from his founding partners to avoid succession problems
• Taking up a writing career after age 50
• Getting over your fears about the future

Show notes:

Jeffrey K. Walker website

Sweet Wine of Youth Trilogy

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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 pandemic has impacted private equity and strategic deals. As more owners are thinking about selling, is the company ready to be bought? As Chris says, when the machine breaks and you're in Florida, you don't shut down because you're the only person who knows how to kick it in the right place. Chris shares insights on what it takes to ready a business for sale and maximize value.

Learn more about:

• Succession considerations with family and bringing in an outside CEO
• Aligning vision, mission, values and incentives
• Role of Boards in private companies
• How strategic planning dovetails with transition and succession planning
• Capacity in the private equity market for the right deals

Show Notes:

MetzLewis.com website

Connect with the host, Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn or SmallDotBig.com/contact

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 In USA" commercial linens company back to their direct-to-consumer roots. And they were well positioned to deal with the market changes a year later brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a great story about innovation in a mature business to keep investing in the long-term. Be sure to take advantage of a special offer for Succession Stories listeners that Janet shares at the end of the episode. For more insights on growing your company, visit smalldotbig.com

show links:

americanblossomlinens.com

Connect with the show host, Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn

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 transitions and how you embrace "what's next" matters. For many people, transitions are fueled by financial security. Laurie Barkman talks with Cheryl Fields, an entrepreneur who unexpectedly restarted her career at age 47 and found her life's passion as a financial educator.

Listen to learn more about:

• Cheryl's entrepreneurial journey - starting, growing and selling her companies
• Raising daughters as a single mom, and how they helped her when she most needed it
• Starting the next act of her career as a financial educator
• Most common financial questions entrepreneurs ask her (HINT: cash flow and retirement)

Show links:

lifestylewealthgroup.com

rhythmofriches.com

Connect with the host, Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn

Let's accelerate your business value. Visit smalldotbig.com to get your complimentary ValueBuilder Score and work with Laurie Barkman to discover where to invest your time for the biggest return.

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 thriving. Authenticity and empathy are paramount. How can we do a better job as leaders at connecting with our teams and our customers? It's a great conversation about ways to challenge the status quo and power up our connections.

Listen in to learn about:

• Why now is a great time for authentic and empathetic messaging
• Communicating a clear message of what your company is focused on
• Creating a "culture of asking"- ask great questions that build relationships
• Connect-working is the new networking
• How companies are using podcasting internally to scale engagement
• How connecting translates to business value

Show links:

• ThriveLoud.com
• AIMeCast.com
• Connect with the host, Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn

Let's accelerate your business value. Visit smalldotbig.com to get your complimentary Value Builder Score and work with Laurie Barkman to discover where to invest your time for the biggest return.

Laurie Barkman and Chris Chaney from Fort Pitt Capital talk about transition planning for business owners. Many owners do not yet have robust transition plans in place. It may feel complicated because of blurred lines between personal identity, finances, and the company. Answering what success means to you is a way to start separating these lines and avoiding larger problems down the road. If you haven't started planning your business transition, you may find this episode helpful.

Listen in to learn more about:

• Ownership Mentality
• Blurred Lines Between Work and Personal Life
• Building Financial Buffers
• Successful and Fulfilling Second Chapters
• Why Culture is Key to a Successful Transition for Owners
• How Value Acceleration and Exit Planning Maximizes Value and Options

Show Links:

Fort Pitt Capital website

Connect with the Host, Laurie Barkman:

Accelerate your business value with Laurie Barkman. Visit SmallDotBig.com for your complimentary ValueBuilder Score and discover where to invest your time for the biggest return.

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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 ideas are creating value in the new travel industry landscape.

If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe and leave a review!

• UniGlobe Travel Designers on LinkedIn, Facebook
• @UniGlobeTD on Instagram
• UniGlobe Travel Designers website

Follow and connect with the host, Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn

Visit SmallDotBig for more resources, podcasts, and schedule a complementary business assessment to identify opportunities to grow your business, reduce risk, and accelerate business value.

Show Notes:

• Follow Evan J. Segal on LinkedIn
• Evan J. Segal website
• 412 Venture Fund
• YPO organization

Follow and connect with the host, Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn Visit SmallDotBig for more resources, podcasts, and make sure to reach out today for a complementary Business Assessment to identify opportunities to grow your business, reduce risk, and accelerate business value.

• LinkedIn - Sean Ammirati
• seanammirati.com
• Book: The Science of Growth on Amazon
• Corporate Startup Lab at Carnegie Mellon
• Agile Giants Podcast
• HBR article "Roaring Out of The Recession"
• McKinsey article, "Innovation in a Crisis - Why it is more critical than ever"