Succession Stories

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 entrepreneurial skills, and overcoming challenges in business. Pallavi shares her journey of building and selling two businesses and provides advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. The conversation also touches on the marshmallow test, balancing work and family, and the evolving landscape of the consulting industry. Takeaways:

• Foster essential skills such as delayed gratification, perseverance, grit, and the ability to handle failure. These are crucial for navigating the entrepreneurial journey.
• Build an environment that encourages ideas and input from your team. Make sure that team members feel their opinions are valued and considered in decision-making processes.
• Leverage the experiences and lessons from both successes and failures. Use these insights to guide future decisions and strategies.
• Strive to separate work stress from family life to maintain a healthy dynamic at home and avoid burnout.

Quote of the Show:

• "Be okay with failure. The ability to hear no many, many, many times and still have the conviction to pursue an idea that you have is important." - Pallavi Golla

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pallavip19/
• Website: https://www.eosworldwide.com/

📣 Leave a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

More Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Nick Hutchison, CEO and Founder of BookThinkers. They discuss Nick's entrepreneurial journey, how books changed his life, and his rebellious nature that drove him to create successful businesses. Nick shares key decisions and challenges in scaling BookThinkers, emphasizing the importance of systems and strategic growth. The conversation also touches upon personal anecdotes, Nick's passion for endurance sports, and his excitement about becoming a father. Listeners gain insights into leveraging books for personal growth and the importance of creating structured business systems. Takeaways:

• Delve into books that other successful entrepreneurs recommend to gain knowledge and different perspectives. Consider books like "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki, "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber, and "Traction" by Gino Wickman.
• Focus on making small, incremental improvements over time. Break your long-term goals into manageable quarters or small steps progress steadily.
• Invest in systematizing your business processes. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and centralized systems can help scale operations efficiently.
• Consider hiring consultants or coaches who can provide expertise in specific areas, such as backend infrastructure, to streamline your business operations.
• Ensure your team is aligned with the new systems and processes. Change management is critical, and getting buy-in from your team is essential.
• Networking is powerful. Engage with people, attend events, and build relationships that can support your business growth.

Quote of the Show:

• "I genuinely believe at my core and in my bones that the right book at the right time can permanently change somebody's life." - Nick Hutchison

Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookthinkers/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bookthinkers/
• Website: https://bookthinkers.com/

📣 Leave a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

More Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

Is your "Fourth Quarter" of life filled with purpose—or just pressure? Executive coach Scott Couchenour helps leaders over 50 design a future they won't regret. In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman talks with Scott about his journey from burnout to breakthrough, and how he now guides others through mid-life reinvention with intention and clarity.

Perfect for business owners and executives navigating succession or personal transition, this conversation will inspire you to turn uncertainty into opportunity.

🔗 Connect with Scott: Website: www.servingstrong.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scottcouchenour

📣 Leave a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

More Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

Welcome to our new sub-show on Succession Stories...The Entrepreneur Gene! In this 1st episode, Host Laurie Barkman interviews David Newman, entrepreneur, author, and sales and marketing expert. David shares his insight into the idea of an entrepreneurial gene, discussing key traits such as being a maverick and a risk-taker. He reflects on his journey from a struggling entrepreneur to a successful mentor, emphasizing the importance of alignment and avoiding distractions in business. David also explores the impact of AI on consulting and shares personal insights and advice for future entrepreneurs. The episode ends with discussing David's passion for retro video games and resources listeners can access for further learning! Takeaways:

• Understanding that entrepreneurship often stems from an inherent drive to be mavericks, mavens, and rebels, leaders should recognize and nurture these qualities within themselves.
• Entrepreneurs often struggle with distractions from multiple ventures. Focusing on how to align efforts under one coherent strategy or "roof" can prevent spreading oneself too thin.
• Instead of starting entirely new ventures, which David calls hot dog stands, focus on improving and innovating within the current business structure to scale and grow.
• Embrace technological advancements like AI to improve efficiency but ensure the added value is applied in a human-centric manner.
• Find mentors, join masterminds, and accept help from peers and successful entrepreneurs early in the journey to accelerate learning and avoid common pitfalls.
• Before investing heavily in new business ideas (like building logos or websites), sell the concept first to ensure there is market demand.
• Being part of a community or network can provide support, opportunities for learning, and potential collaborations.

Quote of the Show:

• "The mavericks, the mavens, the rebels, those kinds of people, if that's in their DNA, then they're truly cut out for entrepreneurial success." - David Newman

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjnewman/
• Website: https://doitmarketing.com/

📣 Leave a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

This Show Is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

More Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

Cheers to 5 years of Succession Stories! On our anniversary, we are excited to introduce our new feature series, The Entrepreneur Gene! A bonus for Succession Stories Podcast listeners!

Listen weekly as show host Laurie Barkman talks with founders and CEOs exploring the rewards and challenges of the entrepreneurial path.

Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enjoying the journey.

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

Connect with Laurie Barkman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

📣 Leave a Review: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

Ghislain Gouraige, Partner at NewEdge Wealth, helps ultra-high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs navigate business transitions. Ghislain joins host Laurie Barkman to recap the firm's 2025 Onward Conference held at Carnegie Mellon University and valuable insights to help you prepare before a sale:

• Success factors to prepare personally and financially
• How to maximize business value
• Understanding M&A market trends and roll-up strategies
• Identifying target companies
• Characteristics that make industries attractive to consolidators

Dive in for insights to preserve wealth, achieve your transition goals, and build a lasting legacy.

____________________________________

This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you?

Learn what every entrepreneur needs to know about making your business more scalable and sellable!

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

👉 Don't miss Laurie's expert advice in Success Magazine: Secure Your Business With Succession Planning | SUCCESS

____________________________________

Connect with Laurie Barkman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

Connect with Ghislain Gouraige:

Website: https://www.newedgewealth.com/team/ghislain-gouraige/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ghislain-gouraige-5074b220/

For all episodes visit: https://successionstories.com

📣 Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

What happens when a successful entrepreneur faces his own turning point? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Jon Goldman, CEO of Turning Point, to discuss his journey from co-owning the innovative promotional products company Lumpy Mail to navigating his own business succession. Jon shares insights on guiding leaders toward discovering their life purpose, aligning personal and company values, and upgrading professional and emotional habits.

Tune in for a conversation about transformation, leadership, and building a meaningful legacy.

____________________________________

This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you?

Learn what every entrepreneur needs to know about making your business more scalable and sellable!

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

____________________________________

Connect with Laurie Barkman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

Learn more about Jon Goldman: myturningpoint.com

Get the GIFT Framework mentioned on the show!

🔗 LinkedIn: Jon Goldman

For all episodes visit: https://successionstories.com

📣 Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are one of the best-kept secrets in business succession planning. In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Dan Zugell, Senior Vice President at Business Transition Advisors and a nationally recognized expert in ESOPs, to explore how these plans create financial value, enhance employee engagement, and offer unique transition options for business owners.

Dan shares insights on the financial benefits of ESOPs—like tax advantages and wealth creation—as well as the often-overlooked social impact of employee ownership, including reduced turnover and stronger workplace culture. He also debunks common misconceptions, such as the idea that ESOPs require 100% ownership transfer or that they lack exit opportunities.

If you're a business owner considering succession strategies, or simply curious about how ESOPs can transform a company's future, this episode is for you!

🎧 Tune in now to learn from one of the leading voices in ESOP planning.

____________________________________

This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you?

Learn what every entrepreneur needs to know about making your business more scalable and sellable!

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

____________________________________

Connect with Laurie Barkman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

Connect with Dan Zugel:

Website: ESOPs & Succession Strategies | Business Transition Advisors

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-the-esop-man-zugell-a364b87/

For all episodes visit: https://successionstories.com

📣 Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

Is your business truly valuable—or just another job you've created for yourself? In this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman speaks with Justin Goodbread, award-winning exit planner, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur who has built and sold six businesses.

Justin shares how he doubled the value of his financial services firm in just 18 months, the key to making your business a transferable asset, and why your business isn't your baby—unless it's an ugly one. Tune in for actionable insights on scaling, selling, and finding joy beyond the exit.

____________________________________

This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you?

Learn what every entrepreneur needs to know about making your business more scalable and sellable!

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

____________________________________

Connect with Laurie Barkman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

____________________________________

Connect with Justin Goodbread:

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

https://www.justingoodbread.com/

For all episodes visit: https://successionstories.com

📣 Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories

Join Matthew Powell, CEO of Century Companies and a fourth-generation family business leader, along with host Laurie Barkman, as they explore the art of building sustainable, multi-generational enterprises. In a world of short-term exits, Matthew champions a different path—creating lasting value for stakeholders by thinking in centuries, not just years.

Through insightful conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts, Built to Last dives into the challenges and triumphs of family businesses, leadership transitions, and fostering a culture of stewardship. Whether you're leading a family enterprise or simply fascinated by legacy-driven leadership, this podcast offers actionable strategies to help businesses flourish for generations to come.

🎙️ Topics include:

• Navigating leadership transitions in family businesses
• Building resilience and long-term value
• Balancing tradition with innovation
• Fostering the next generation of leadership

Listen now and start building a legacy that lasts!

____________________________________

This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa®

100 percent of owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Are you?

Learn what every entrepreneur needs to know about making your business more scalable and sellable!

✨📖 Get your FREE digital copy of The Business Transition Handbook here: https://btsherpa.com/book

____________________________________

Connect with Laurie Barkman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/

Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/

Book: https://btsherpa.com/book

Course: https://btsherpa.com/course

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa

Connect with Matthew Powell:

Website: Matthew Powell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwpowell/

For all episodes visit: https://successionstories.com

📣 Leave a Review on Rate This Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/successionstories