Podcasts about Barkman

Watch the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/ITRmhcVzgAkDon't forget to subscribe to be updated on the latest sermon! Feel free to like and share if you've been blessed by this message! If this is your first time listening to our service, say hi to us at www.elimchapelwinnipeg.com/connectwithus. We'd love to connect with you! Thanks again for joining us. God bless you! Follow us:www.elimchapelwinnipeg.comwww.facebook.com/elimchapelwinnipegwww.instagram.com/elimchapelwinnipegwww.twitter.com/elimchapelwpghttps://elimchapelwinnipeg.com/enews/www.linktr.ee/ElimChapel

Welcome Back if y'all remember I had to redo this podcast. I hope it is worth the redo for y'all. I thought it was a great conversation. I love a distillery that gives back to the community.  Make sure you check out our sponsors Badmotivatorbarrels.com/shop/?aff=3 https://www.instagram.com/zsmithwhiskeyandmixology?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Hinterhausdistilling.com Patreon.com/the_whiskeyshaman Rio Brazos Distillery The first distillery in Brazos County, the Rio Brazos Distillery was founded in 2013 by the Barkman family. We make whiskey from small batches of sweet corn, red winter wheat and two-row malted barley — all grown in Texas by Texan farmers — and distilled in a pot still. A uniquely American style known as a Tennessee narrow hearts cut, our double-distillation process involves four all-day cooks, four all-day stripping runs and a final 13-hour long spirit run. We donate our spent grains to a local company that grows insects for poultry farming. Sealed with Pride. Stamped with Your Ring. Commemorate the Achievement. Seal and stamp a bottle with your class ring's imprint. This December during regular tasting room hours. College Station Texas Corn Whiskey College Station is distilled from a sweet bourbon mash of sweet corn, wheat and malted barley. Its time in both new and used charred oak barrels results in flavors of candied fruits, apricot, nutmeg and toasted coconut. A long finish ends with notes of fresh-cut grass. 45% alcohol by volume | Single Barrel | Hearts Cut Texas Bourbon We mill and cook a sweet mash from Texas-grown corn, wheat and malted barley in our kettle and ferment for five days before transferring it to our pot still. A uniquely American style known as a Tennessee narrow hearts cut, our double-distillation process involves four all-day cooks, four all-day stripping runs and a final spirit run. During this spirit run, we collect the best fraction of distillate during a slow, 13-hour long run. The hearts, once diluted and aged in new, charred American white oak barrels, is bourbon.

In this episode of the Inspiring Innovators Show, hosts Jennifer and Paul Henczel sit down with Terry Barkman, founder of Sailboat Coaching International and the creator of the "Free Range Coach" movement. Terry shares his transformative approach to team building and leadership through sailboat coaching and introduces his upcoming book, The Sailboat Effect. Together, they explore the patience required in leadership, the power of quiet confidence, and how sailing provides unique insights into personal and professional growth.Find all the links and downloads for todays episode at www.inspiringshow.com/podcast

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads to Bryan/College Station to sit down with Nathan Barkman, Founder and Distiller at Rio Brazos Distillery. Named after the Brazos River, this Texas craft distillery sits in the heart of the state's agricultural region, where rich, black soil provides ideal conditions for growing the grains that fuel their exceptional whiskey. The Episode kicks off with a tasting of their unaged Whistlestop Texas Whiskey. The corn's sweetness shines through with notes of honey and vanilla. Next, they dive into Boxcar Blended Texas Whiskey, which gives Big Chief the essence of Irish whiskey with a Lone Star twist of spice. In the second half, Nathan shares College Station Texas Corn Whiskey. Its creamy texture, hints of barrel spice, and corn pop cereal notes make it an ideal after-dinner sipper. To close, they savor the single barrel Texas Bourbon Whiskey, a true Texas gem bursting with cinnamon spice, dried fruits, and molasses. This episode highlights Big Chief's passion for exploring craft whiskey from all corners of the trail. Cheers to another unforgettable journey on The Whiskey Trip!

Watch the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/ITRmhcVzgAkDon't forget to subscribe to be updated on the latest sermon! Feel free to like and share if you've been blessed by this message! If this is your first time listening to our service, say hi to us at www.elimchapelwinnipeg.com/connectwithus. We'd love to connect with you! Thanks again for joining us. God bless you! Follow us:www.elimchapelwinnipeg.comwww.facebook.com/elimchapelwinnipegwww.instagram.com/elimchapelwinnipegwww.twitter.com/elimchapelwpghttps://elimchapelwinnipeg.com/enews/www.linktr.ee/ElimChapel

Leslie Gould-Barkman is a lifelong learner. Drawing on many years of education and practice she has created a practice of soul centered somatic caretaking. With an MSW, hypnotherapy, bodywork, and arts background, Leslie has created her own approach to healing. Her work is body focused through the musculoskeletal system which helps patients with mental health, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. She addresses what's the root cause of one's problems and goes after what's stuck in the body and energy field. Join us as we discuss her experience and unique approach to healing people through energy work.  www.ladybugbodymindhealing.com

Watch the full service here: https://youtube.com/live/ITRmhcVzgAkDon't forget to subscribe to be updated on the latest sermon! Feel free to like and share if you've been blessed by this message! If this is your first time listening to our service, say hi to us at www.elimchapelwinnipeg.com/connectwithus. We'd love to connect with you! Thanks again for joining us. God bless you! Follow us:www.elimchapelwinnipeg.comwww.facebook.com/elimchapelwinnipegwww.instagram.com/elimchapelwinnipegwww.twitter.com/elimchapelwpghttps://elimchapelwinnipeg.com/enews/www.linktr.ee/ElimChapel

I am joined by Tanis Barkman, a mountain hunting guide and enthusiast for all things adventures. In addition to sharing the most epic story of a shattered foot on a hunt, Tanis shares her passion for guiding in the mountains and the expectations and challenges of achieving success as a guide. Tanis shares their personal journey of becoming a hunter. Tanis discusses the pressure of once-in-a-lifetime hunts and the types of hunting clients. The conversation touches on the drive for bigger and better animals, filling the freezer, and transitioning from hunting to guiding.  The iHunter App supports the Eatwild Podcast and other programs. The app is an essential tool to make you more comfortable in the woods. The mapping layers, navigation tools and hunting regulations are all packed into the app to give you the info you need on your next adventure.  This episode is supported by BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BCBHA). The BCBHA is a young conservation organization dedicated to protecting wild places and critters that live in these wild places. Come out to a local event and get to know the BCBHA community.  As always, Seek Outside brought this podcast to you. They make unique ultralight tents and packs for your next adventure. Use the discount code EATWILD on your next purchase. We also get support from our friends at West Coast Kitchen Canada. So stock up for the adventure season and use the discount code EATWILD. You can stop in at Beere Brewing and take advantage of a 10% discount on the purchase. Use the code EATWILD10 on your next purchase.  Beere makes a great selection of bright, crisp beers perfect for the patio or around the campfire. Podcast Takeaways: Guides have off-season activities and participate in other hunts during the year. Desert sheep hunts in Baja offer a unique and exciting experience. Tanis desires to guide in new locations and is open to any kind of adventure. The accident during the hunt for the mega ram was a traumatic experience for Tanis. Seek Outside's Courthouse tent is a game-changing gear for backcountry hunting. Sheep ribs are Tanis' most memorable backcountry meal. The rib roll is a unique method of preparing rib meat that involves cutting the rib roll into small squares and boiling them in soup broth for several hours. Celebratory beers are a common tradition among hunters to mark accomplishments and enjoy the moment. Coastal goat hunting in the BC West Coast offers a dream hunt experience with untouched wilderness and challenging terrain. The drive to hunt and pursue animals is a powerful force that motivates hunters to endure challenging conditions and push their limits. Podcast Chapters: 00:00 The Bro Mentality and Hunting in Small Towns 03:23 The Vulnerability of Humans in the Wilderness 06:10 Discovering a Passion for Hunting 09:59 The Emotions of Hunting and Guiding 14:23 Different Types of Hunting Clients 17:34 Guiding Clients with Different Goals 19:17 The Pressure of Once-in-a-Lifetime Hunts 22:08 The Drive for Bigger and Better Animals 25:00 Hunting for Experience and Selectivity 28:20 The Importance of Filling the Freezer 33:31 Transitioning from Hunting to Guiding 34:00 The Year of a Hunting Guide 34:57 Off-season activities and other hunts 37:16 Desert sheep hunts in Baja 38:29 Desire to guide in new locations 38:45 The accident and the hunt for the mega ram 46:45 The accident and its aftermath 54:25 The game-changing gear: Seek Outside's Courthouse tent 01:05:46 Most memorable backcountry meal: Sheep ribs 01:06:44 Rib Roll and Asados 01:08:05 Celebratory Beers 01:09:17 Dream Hunt: Coastal Goats 01:12:04 Challenging Hunts and the Hunter's Drive    

In this episode of "Talk is Sheep," we sit down with Tanis Barkman, a seasoned guide, as she recounts her harrowing experience during the BC premier sheep tag hunt. Tanis shares the gripping details of her encounter with a boulder that resulted in a devastating lower-body injury, leaving her stranded in the high alpine.With sheer willpower and determination, Tanis recounts the grueling journey she undertook to get off the mountain, facing unimaginable challenges and obstacles along the way. Her story is one of resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit.Join us as Tanis Barkman takes us through the moments of fear, pain, and ultimately triumph, showcasing the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. This episode is a testament to the unwavering resolve and perseverance of those who dare to challenge the wilderness, even in its most unforgiving moments.Talk is Sheep is brought to you by our Title Sponsor, MTNTOUGH Fitness Labs.We partnered with MTNTOUGH Fitness Lab to help get you in shape and mentally stronger. Whether you are a veteran hunter or just starting, the MTNTOUGH app will take you to the next level. We've personally trained using the MTNTOUGH programs and we believe in it so much that we want to give you 6 weeks for free using code: SHEEPBC. Visit: http://lab.mtntough.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=sheepbc&plan=monthlyTalk is Sheep is the Official Podcast of the Wild Sheep Society of BC. The official sponsor of the Wild Sheep Society of BC is SITKA Gear and our Conservation Partners - Frontiersmen Gear, Gunwerks, Precision Optics, Schnee's, Stone Glacier, OnX Maps, Wild TV and YETI.

Join us in an exclusive session with Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa™, as we delve into the art and science of preparing your business for a successful exit. Laurie, a seasoned expert with a history of steering companies towards lucrative sales, brings her vast experience in business transition, M&A, and succession planning to our listeners. In this episode, we will dissect the key elements that make a business attractive to buyers, drawing on Laurie's rich background and her role in advising business owners on maximizing their company's value. She'll share insights from her book, "The Business Transition Handbook," highlighting effective strategies to circumvent common succession pitfalls and develop robust exit options. Furthermore, Laurie will give us a peek into the most compelling stories and lessons learned from her top-rated podcast, Succession Stories, providing listeners with real-world examples of successful business transitions. As an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship, Laurie will also offer her best advice to budding entrepreneurs on how to future-proof their ventures from day one. Tune in to this episode to unlock the secrets to planning and executing a business transition that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Whether you're years away from considering an exit or actively looking to sell, Laurie's expertise will provide you with the roadmap you need for a seamless and profitable transition. To check out Laurie's book, "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options", head on over to Amazon (affiliate): https://amzn.to/3T68kA4 Disclaimer: Not advice. Educational purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show. Do your due diligence. Click here to join PodMatch (the "AirBNB" of Podcasting): https://www.joinpodmatch.com/drchrisloomdphd We couldn't do it without the support of our listeners. To help support the show: CashApp- https://cash.app/$drchrisloomdphd Venmo- https://account.venmo.com/u/Chris-Loo-4 Buy Me a Coffee- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/chrisJx Thank you to our sponsor, CityVest: https://bit.ly/37AOgkp Click here to schedule a 1-on-1 private coaching call: https://www.drchrisloomdphd.com/book-online Click here to purchase my books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PaQn4p Follow our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/chL1357 Follow us on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/drchrisloomdphd Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereal_drchrisloo Follow us on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thereal_drchrisloo Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drchrisloomddphd Follow the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3NkM6US7cjsiAYTBjWGdx6?si=1da9d0a17be14d18 Subscribe to our Substack newsletter: https://substack.com/@drchrisloomdphd1 Subscribe to our Medium newsletter: https://medium.com/@drchrisloomdphd Subscribe to our email newsletter: ⁠https://financial-freedom-for-physicians.ck.page/b4622e816d⁠ Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=6992935013231071233 Join our Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=87512799 Join our Spotify Community: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christopher-loo/subscribe⁠ Thank you to our advertisers on Spotify. Financial Freedom for Physicians, Copyright 2024

Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa(TM), is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was acquired by a Fortune 50.Laurie is the author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options," and hosts the award-winning podcast called "Succession Stories." Her expertise in business transition, succession, entrepreneurship, and M&A has been spotlighted in media including Newsweek, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, and more.During the interview, we discuss…how to know what your business is worthwhy many owners express regret after sellingwhat you can do to make your companies more valuablewhy people think ownership succession is a taboo topicthe best time to start transition planningthe first steps in transition planningGet in touch after the interview…Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa • Succession Stories Podcast: https://podfollow.com/succession-storiesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauriebarkmanX: https://x.com/LaurieBarkmanRead “The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options” https://www.amazon.com/Business-Transition-Handbook-Succession-Pitfalls/dp/1959508016Claim your free gift!We're giving away a one-year membership to the world's #1 business book summary service for leaders! Our gift will help you stay on top of the latest ideas, decide which books to read next, and engage your teams.To get your gift:Leave a rating or review on your favorite listening channel.Take a screenshot of your review.Share the screenshot on LinkedIn, and mention either “Allison Dunn” or “Deliberate Directions” and the “Deliberate Leaders Podcast”.=============Allison DunnExecutive Business CoachDeliberate Directions + Executive Business Coaching + Training Center3003 W Main Street, Suite 110, Boise ID 83702(208) 350-6551Website https://www.deliberatedirections.comLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisondunnPodcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deliberate-leaders-podcast-with-allison-dunn/id1500464675

When the time comes to pass the torch of your business, the journey involves much more than a transaction—it's a transformation. Join Mike Malatesta as he sits down with Laurie Barkman, the insightful business transition sherpa, to illuminate the often-overlooked facets of preparing for a business handover. This discussion spans the emotional landscape business owners traverse, blending wisdom from the late Charlie Munger with personal anecdotes and expert strategies to equip you for a seamless transition. Ascending to a top executive role isn't a mere step; it's a leap enveloped in self-reflection and resilience. Laurie and Mike peel back the layers of what it takes to not only land that CEO chair but to also thrive within it. Hear from Laurie about the formidable hurdles of an executive search and the tenacity required to steer through them. This candid conversation offers a blueprint for transformational leadership—from squaring off against self-doubt to aligning your inner compass with the demands of the C-suite. Laurie's own metamorphosis from navigating corporate mergers to carving out a niche in entrepreneurship infuses this episode with real-life tales of growth and innovation. These experiences have sculpted both her podcast 'Succession Stories' and her book "The Business Transition Handbook," serving as a conduit for knowledge and inspiration to our listeners. For those charting their course through the business world's shifting tides, tune in to this episode for guidance.Key highlights:Business Transition and Succession PlanningPrepare and Land a CEO PositionEvolution of a PodcastCharlie Munger's Legacy Book and WritingTransition Planning Services for Business OwnersConnect with Laurie Barkman:Website: thebusinesstransitionsherpa.comPodcast: Succession StoriesBook: The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit OptionsYou can get Laurie's book by texting the word “transition” to 762-320-2826To Connect with Mike: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube Coaching Get Mike's book: Owner Shift Please LIKE

When the time comes to pass the torch of your business, the journey involves much more than a transaction—it's a transformation. Join Mike Malatesta as he sits down with Laurie Barkman, the insightful business transition sherpa, to illuminate the often-overlooked facets of preparing for a business handover. This discussion spans the emotional landscape business owners traverse, blending wisdom from the late Charlie Munger with personal anecdotes and expert strategies to equip you for a seamless transition. Ascending to a top executive role isn't a mere step; it's a leap enveloped in self-reflection and resilience. Laurie and Mike peel back the layers of what it takes to not only land that CEO chair but to also thrive within it. Hear from Laurie about the formidable hurdles of an executive search and the tenacity required to steer through them. This candid conversation offers a blueprint for transformational leadership—from squaring off against self-doubt to aligning your inner compass with the demands of the C-suite. Laurie's own metamorphosis from navigating corporate mergers to carving out a niche in entrepreneurship infuses this episode with real-life tales of growth and innovation. These experiences have sculpted both her podcast 'Succession Stories' and her book "The Business Transition Handbook," serving as a conduit for knowledge and inspiration to our listeners. For those charting their course through the business world's shifting tides, tune in to this episode for guidance.Key highlights:Business Transition and Succession PlanningPrepare and Land a CEO PositionEvolution of a PodcastCharlie Munger's Legacy Book and WritingTransition Planning Services for Business OwnersConnect with Laurie Barkman:Website: thebusinesstransitionsherpa.comPodcast: Succession StoriesBook: The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit OptionsYou can get Laurie's book by texting the word “transition” to 762-320-2826To Connect with Mike: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube Coaching Get Mike's book: Owner Shift Please LIKE

Ever wondered how the value of a privately held company is determined? Laurie Barkman delved into the crucial insight that buyers buy on their time, not yours. This means that in the private markets, the value of a business is ultimately determined by the buyers. As sellers, our role is to find best fit buyers, tell a compelling story, and focus on solving pain points to increase the fit and ultimately the valuation of our business. Understanding this critical point is essential for business owners looking to prepare for their exit. It emphasises the importance of positioning the business in a way that resonates with potential buyers and addresses their needs. By doing so, we can significantly impact the value and desirability of our business in the eyes of the buyers. To dive deeper into the intricacies of business valuation and to explore more valuable insights, check out the full episode on the Exit Insights podcast. Your proactive approach to understanding the nuances of business valuation can set you on the path to a successful transition and maximise the value of your business. Watch the episode: https://succession.plus/uk/podcasts-uk/how-to-objectively-value-your-business-for-maximum-exit-success/ If you would like to learn more about how to start preparing your business, then you can get more information here: It All Begins with Insights.

Sherrie Baca executive director of Pueblo County Libraries joins Dave on the Podcast.  They discuss the seven libraries Master Vision Plan to renovate and refresh public  libraries across Pueblo Counties. That plan includes the Barkman library that's current closed, where $4.5 million in investments and 2,700 square feet will be added.  Since 2003 they have checked out more than 14 million library materials.  Baca also reminds Puebloans that most things have gone digital, people can stream music, movies, and read e-books and audio books free with a library card. The library has also received a grant through the state to allow Colorado City and Rye  residents can access telehealth services through the library system.   Meeting rooms are available at no cost with the exception of the Ryals Grand Event Space at the Rawlins library. More than 1,000 laptops, tablets and hotspots are checked out currently.  They are currently asking for the public to help fund the library renovations for Barkman & Lucero libraries.   For more information go to pueblolibrary.org 

Today on the IC-DISC show, join us for an insightful discussion with Laurie Barkman, a renowned CEO and author of The Business Transition Handbook. As the acclaimed Business Transition Sherpa, Laurie sheds light on the reality that all business owners will exit someday. We explore the challenges of selling a business, like why most small businesses don't sell successfully and the potential pitfalls of an exit. We also discuss relying on experienced advisors and how understanding taxes and markets can aid planning. Laurie shares invaluable advice on navigating this critical phase successfully. This episode is a must-listen for any business owner planning to navigate their business transition.   SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Laurie and I discuss her journey as a CEO and author of The Business Transition Handbook, providing insights into the realities of business transition. She highlights the hard truth of selling a business and how eight out of ten small businesses fail to do so successfully. We talk about the common pitfalls of business transition, the five "D's" that can disrupt a business, and the value of creating a satisfied client base. Laurie explains the unique challenges law firms face during business transition and offers her strategies for a smooth transition. We delve into the importance of a clear exit plan and the different options business owners have when transitioning their business. Laurie advises focusing on three primary goals during business transition: business, personal, and financial. We discuss the analogy of business transition planning to having a sherpa guide you through a treacherous terrain, making the process seem less daunting. Laurie emphasizes the significance of accountability in business and the benefits of having industry expert conversations during transition. We explore the upcoming online course based on Laurie's book that she plans to launch in the first quarter of 2024, aiming to reach a wider audience of entrepreneurs. We discuss the importance of having an experienced network of professionals to help businesses reach their goals and create a successful transition plan. LINKSShow Notes Be a Guest About IC-DISC Alliance About The Business Transition Sherpa About The Endgame Entrepreneurship Course GUEST Laurie BarkmanAbout Laurie TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) David: Hi, this is David Spray. Welcome to another episode of the IC Disc Show. My guest today is Laurie Barkman from Pittsburgh. Laurie is a really fun and interesting guest. She just released her first book entitled the Business Transition Handbook, and she is called in many circles the business transition, the idea being that a Sherpa guides somebody on a journey over a period of time rather than just a one-point event in time. Laurie has an impressive background as a former CEO of a large privately held company. She has a bachelor's and an MBA, and we talked about mistakes business owners make when they're transitioning their business. We talked about the sober reality that 100% every last business owner is going to exit their business and the question is will it be on their terms or someone else's? So there is some great advice and information for any company, any business owner who is looking to exit their business at some point, and I think you'll get a lot of value from this. Good morning, laurie. How are you today? Laurie: David, hey, great to see you, I'm awesome. David: That is great. Now, where are you located today? Laurie: I'm in the great city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. David: Yes, now are you a native of Pittsburgh. Laurie: I am not. I am not. I'm an adopted daughter of the city. I'm originally from Albany, New York. David: Okay, so Ithaca wasn't too far to go for you. Laurie: That's right, it was not. It was only about three hours away. David: Okay, and then what brought you to Pittsburgh? Laurie: After graduating from college, my husband and I moved around Pennsylvania with different corporations. I was with Aigner Sol Rand Company and I was with a division in Shippensburg and after four years decided to get my masters, get my MBA, and decided to move to Pittsburgh. My husband had gotten a nice job with McKinsey and company and here we are. Okay 25 years later. David: You got your MBA in Pittsburgh, right at Carnegie. Laurie: Mellon. I did at Carnegie Mellon okay. David: Well, let's dig into this. So the business transition Sherpa. Where did this nickname come from? Did you come up with this yourself, or did somebody else give you that title? Laurie: You know, it's kind of an amalgamation of things. I remember talking to my husband about a trip that he and I had taken in 1997. We did a trek, we did a hike, and this idea of somebody guiding you and stuck with me. And as I was thinking about what I'm doing, working with business owners, it's not just one moment in time, it's over a period of time, and I really feel like my role is to be a guide. I don't have all the answers. I have a path, I have tools and, just like a Sherpa and the great work that they do, it's that same idea is we're on a journey together. Entrepreneurs build their business, sometimes on their own, but most likely not. Entrepreneurs are building their companies with other people, and so when they get to this other side of the mountain, so to speak, and thinking about their next chapter, why would they go about that by themselves? And I want to be the person that helps guide them. David: Yeah, I love the description of what you do because it picks up the fact that it's a journey, it's not a point in time and it's tough to do by yourself. In my experience I've just closely held small to medium sized business owners. Only sell a business once right, that's right. Laurie: We can regret things in our experience. We can regret what we do and wish we did something differently, or we do not take an action and we regret not taking that action. And my book the whole reason I wrote the book the business transition handbook was to help people proactively so that they don't have regrets. It's a very big, lofty goal to not have regrets in life, but if we can be proactive and we can understand what it takes to build a more valuable, transferable business and then understand what resources we might want to have on our side. I like to say, David, you can't do exit planning when you're exiting. It's just too late. So if you give yourself a time and space to work on having a more valuable, transferable business, the good news is that it's going to be a lot more fun to run your company. It's going to have an economic benefit to you and then in the future you'll have more options. You'll have more valuable options too. David: Yeah, I really enjoyed reading your book. In fact, behind you there, I believe, there's a blown up cover. Yes, it is. Laurie: That's right. Yeah, it was really interesting to write the book. I guess I could say it's my first book. I don't know that I'll have a second, but this, no matter what, is my first book and it was challenging, but at the same time, it was fun. It was like a giant puzzle. Once I mapped out what I believe the big pitfalls are right. So the subtitle of the book is how to avoid succession pitfalls. Each chapter in the book and I don't know if you picked up on this as you were reading it but each chapter is a pitfall. What do you want to avoid? And so what I tried to do was put myself in the reader's seat, the entrepreneur's seat, and how I developed that perspective was from my own experiences, client experiences and then integrating case studies and other learnings from my podcast. I have a show called Succession Stories that you will be a part of soon, and there are so many valuable things to learn from other people's wins and losses and challenges, and that's what I have always sought out to do with my show. The show is about three years old at this point and when I was writing the book, I had, I think, about 120 recordings, so that's a lot of knowledge and content. And what was so fun for me, david, was I was going back into the archives of a discussion. Every show I have has a transcript and of course I don't remember everything. But when I would write a chapter and I would need a case study, I had space for a case study in that particular spot, for a particular topic I would think, okay, which shows, should I go back to dive into those transcripts and then find these golden nuggets and I it was just so interesting to have the recall in writing of oh yeah, you know, she said that was an amazing conversation, and you, my memories are not long, right, we have so many, only so much storage in our brains, exactly. So it was really cool to go back to that body of knowledge that I had created, and I began to appreciate that body of knowledge even more. I think this case studies bring the book to life. I'd like to hear what you think about that, but that's that's what I hear from my readers is they love the, the learning and the concepts, the business concepts in the book, and they think that it's like me having a conversation with them by sharing these case studies and stories along the way. David: Yeah, I agree there were a number of. I mean, there was a lot of great stuff in there, but some of the particular ones I kind of wanted to dive in with you on is so this is a little bit of a quiz to see how much of your book you remember Do. When somebody, when people, decide to sell their business, do they just automatically sell it or do some portion of them? Are they unable to sell the business? Laurie: There's a mix, as you can imagine. Yeah, what percentage are you? David: able to actually sell it in the small business space. Laurie: It's a surprisingly low number. You know the statistics out. There is that every two out of 10 companies in the lower middle market actually sell. So that leaves eight out of 10 not selling. And you could ask, well, why is that? And there's a lot of reasons why. Sometimes along the way we have the five D's kind of pop up, or always also known as the 60s. These D's are taboo things, sometimes we don't want to talk about them, but they're real and we do need to talk about them. It could be the debt of an owner. It could be divorce disaster like COVID you know we put it in that category or disaster like fires and the business or the market has experienced is something traumatic it could be. Did I say divorce already? Divorce is another D. So these D's are something we can plan for. We don't want them to happen but we do need to be prepared. So if we're not prepared for the 60s, they can really wreak havoc on a business. Particularly death. The death of an owner can throw a business into a tailspin and I did cover that at some you know level in the book with a couple of episodes, snippets of people who had experienced that. The other reason why businesses don't sell, david, is because they're just not transferable. If they are so owner dependent and owner centric, that can be a really big reason why it won't sell and it's hard for owners to see that. You know, sometimes owners think that they are the secret sauce. I have a business assessment that one time I'm marketing. The owner of a marketing firm took this assessment and she said oh my God, she goes. I didn't realize I was standing in the way. She thought she, you know, she's a photographer, she's the creative, she's got the client relationships and she realized at that moment oh my goodness, I am making my company less valuable. So there's a pivot in our brains when we recognize some of the elements that help create a more transferable business and companies that have an owner who don't necessarily see the business as an asset, they see it as a job or they see it as a piggy bank. Those are different things, because if you see your business as an asset, you're going to want to create value in that asset over time. You're also going to want to protect that asset. If it's a job, right, I just accepted what is. And it's not growing, it's staying the same. Maybe you're not reinvesting in the business. You're not reinvesting in yourself or your people. And let's just jump to an example. I have a client who, in his favor, had very loyal people Once he got to his sixties, as did his key employees, and everybody's looking to retire. Buyers looking at that business said oh my goodness, how transferable is this business when all the key people are going to retire at the same time? So he had saved money, so to speak, by not bringing in new people, kind of underneath and over a period of training. So he recognizes that now, but it's too late. David: Sure, yeah, I was having this conversation yesterday with a group of CEOs and we were talking about enterprise value, increasing it, owner dependency, and there's a guy that owns a small boutique intellectual property law firm and they were asking him how sellable law firms are in general and he said not very and from his perspective that he said there's things he could do to make the business run without him better. But his model that he really likes to work with his clients directly, he doesn't like an associate between them and so that in his and a couple of his clients are actually in the room and they're like, and he's like, yeah, if I had like some associates that could potentially lower the fees to a client, you know, because there's more leverage in the client. So like no, we'd rather pay more and have you. So I've noticed in professional services there's this tradeoff between what. If you really want to have delighted clients, sometimes that's at odds with making your business the most valuable. And I know my business is like that. I mean I've got huge owner dependency issues because I am the key relationship, but I've gotten peace with the fact that it's just not very sellable and I like being a craftsman and just like it hit. Laurie: Yeah, and that isn't that the important thing. If you recognize it and are accepting of it, hey, you know what? That's okay. Not every business is going to be an asset to sell to another buyer and that's totally okay with the law firm. Just to circle back, because I do have some professional experience with law firms, one of the catch 22 things about law in particular is the code of ethics that they have to abide by. David: The non-competence, the non-compete. Laurie: Yeah. So if a lawyer leaves a law firm, they you know there's certain restrictions on when they can inform their clients and taking their clients with them, and I know there's lots of gray areas. I'm not going to talk about all of the nuances there. My point is that with law firms also there could be other types of professional services that run into this, but in law in particular what clients will say is that they hire lawyers, not law firms. Yeah, and so when you're tied let's just like you're talking about with that particular partner that the clients are willing to pay more because they want to work with that particular partner it could be highly likely that client would jump and go with them, no matter where they are. That can be particularly concerning for an acquiring firm, knowing that they may have some stickiness to certain clients and then they may not have other stickiness. So it really is dependent If there's a firm that's acquisitive and looking at buying other professional services, whether it's law or any other profession. I work with engineering firms quite a bit and in engineering firms there might be contracts but those contracts are not assignable and it might influence not only the type of transaction that we would do, whether an asset sale or entity sale, but it also would influence potentially on the transition for the sellers and how long they might want to stay, or the buyers might want them to stay under either an employment agreement or consulting agreement. It could also influence whether or not there's an earn out. You could structure an earn out, for example, if the buyer wants to structure an earn out to ensure a certain percent of those contracts are assigned over whatever time period or year and a half. So it could influence it in a big way. David: Talk to me about, and thank you for that. Talk to me about what you enjoy most, about being a business transition or not. I shouldn't say A, but the business transition, Sure. What are some of the aspects of that in working with those companies that you just find particularly satisfying or rewarding? Laurie: One of the things that I experienced as a CEO of a privately held company was the loneliness and being in my own head and having big questions and not really knowing where to go. I find that I bring kind of this EQ, if you will, of smarts and know-how and experiences and questions, and then I bring excuse me, the IQ around that, then the EQ, which is more of the emotional side. I've always been a kind of person that people confide in. Obviously, this is a highly confidential type of scenario but, I talk with my clients about the business. for sure, that's the practical side of everything, but we also talk about the personal side. We have to talk about them because remember earlier in our conversation I talked about regrets and there's some alarming statistics out there about experiencing regrets at least one year after the sale. I'm kind of on this mission to help business owners find clarity, and find clarity in a way that makes sense for them, for their family, for their stakeholders, which includes employees and other shareholders and their communities that they serve. A lot of people feel after a transaction that they let so-and-so down. Maybe they let their employees down, maybe they let their communities down. I had a guy in my show whose family business fourth generation chlorine cleaning product was sold in grocery stores and he could not walk down the aisle anymore. He couldn't bear to see that product under another name or by another. He said, yeah, there was a pride. We used to the small town and we had our name on the baseball team and people knew who I was. The identity that this particular person had his family name was on the company. Identity is a really big part of it, david. People go through almost like a withdrawal If they're not excited about what's next, this pull factor, what's pulling you forward to your next thing? If we're not excited about it, it can be really. You can imagine worst case scenarios. Those things do happen. But the in-between space is not that great either, for what makes me feel that I'm helping entrepreneurs? I've always orbited entrepreneurs with a great respect for the risk that they take. I've come to know family businesses as a category. Also. There's the founder-led, family-led, privately held company. I've worked in venture backed, so no offense to venture backed folks, but they're not really a focus for me. I'm really focused on call it the bootstrapped or family-led companies where they're the everyday entrepreneur making it happen. The sense of clarity clarity on three core types of goals is where we focus business, personal and financial. There's a lot of work to be done there. I think that's what makes me motivated, makes me feel appreciated by my clients. They are awesome people. I work with some amazing people that are doing really wonderful things for their community, for their family. They have excellent intentions. They just don't know how to put it all together. I don't either. I don't have all the answers, as I said earlier, but what I do have is I have an awesome Rolodex and I have an awesome way to bring professionals together and collaborate and help my client assemble a business owner transition team advisory team to help them make big decisions along the way. Again, this clarity is the number one thing that I think my clients benefit from. David: Yeah, no, that's really important because, as you talk about in the book, unfortunately 100% of the business owners are going to exit the business, just like 100% of us are going to exit this earth. I was thinking when you were talking about that fourth generation gentleman who couldn't walk down the grocery aisle, but it's one of those things, but it wasn't like he really had. He must not have had a great way to avoid that, because he wasn't going to run the business forever. So you come into what are the options? Basically, if somebody's not immortal, what are the options to exit a business? Because there's several paths, right? Laurie: Yeah, absolutely. Just to finish the statement with 100% of business owners are going to leave one day, there's a big however, you know. However, very few are planning for that day To leave on their terms, and when we have a plan, we're more likely to achieve it. That's just how it works, right. That's why we do strategic planning for businesses. So why don't we do strategic planning for our exit or our transition? And that's really the main advocacy I have in the book is let's have a process, let's have an understanding of what it takes. So to your question I think I address it quite a bit in one of my favorite chapters, which I think is chapter six, which is who should own your business after you, and it shines a spotlight on the different kinds of buyers. When I do workshops, david, I do webinars and I do in-person workshops, and I put up this slide and I have essentially three columns and I go through some examples of each bucket three buckets and people's eyes light up, they take out their camera, they start taking photos of this one particular slide and it is enlightening because we hear about certain kinds of buyers and we don't know that there might be other options out there and maybe not every option is a fit. So what I advocate for is let's understand what are some exit options for your company and which ones might be a better fit than others, and why let's prioritize those and let's come up with option A, b, c and if option A doesn't work out, then we know we've got an option B. It's just like in any negotiation If you have the power to walk away, then you know you're going to get the right deal for you. It's when you don't feel that you have any other options that you feel pinched. So that's why back to the conversation about the five or sixties if an owner passes away and the company is going in a tailspin, with employees leaving and the spouse doesn't know what to do, and they've inherited this company. They've never worked in it, it's a mess and the buyers come out like sharks and there's chum in the water. We want to avoid that. We want to avoid that. So, yeah, I mean we could talk about what. Who are the different kinds of buyers, if you want. David: Sure, yeah, because I mean, I, just off the top of my head, we've got passing it on to the next generation selling it to the employees. A third party buyer? What are some of the other options? Laurie: Yeah, let me just frame it out and that way, visually, I'm kind of working left to right as I talked about these three columns and I put it in that order for a reason. So the first column is strategic buyers, the middle is financial buyers and the one on the right is related buyers. So the examples you mentioned, family and managers would be in the related buyers category. Typically speaking, that is going to be more of a fair market value type of approach to valuing the business, of what price you might expect for your business, and if you kind of go left on that chart then the price expectation should go up right. David: Strategic generally not always generally speaking, will pay the most. Laurie: And why is that? Well, and also, what's a strategic? So a strategic is an entity, it's a company, it could be a competitor, it could be a marketplace vendor, it could be a customer, it could be an adjacent industry to yours where they want to make moves, either geography wise, or into your industry, if they're not part of it yet. So those are strategic and, typically speaking and this was my experience going through a pretty big M&A transaction with a third generation company that we were acquired by a Fortune 50. And, believe me, they had an M&A playbook and when they're that big and they've done that many transactions, so for us it was understanding what's the fit, what will this look like? And for them, I'm sure, in their financial models, it was about leverage what assets do they keep, what employee teams might they cut and how do they gain some cost leverage? And so that's typical where these pieces of the business might be kind of bolted into something else. Maybe it's standalone, maybe it's bolted in, but that's typically why strategic can pay more, because on the back end, as they're modeling out their financials, they know what costs they're going to take out. We don't necessarily know that, but that's what they're looking at. Financial buyer most often we think of private equity firms, and private equity groups will invest on a time horizon roughly five to seven years could be longer and they'll want to buy low, sell high, and so in between, they're investing in that business to improve it, they're putting in management teams and they will take a larger entity, maybe keep it as a standalone and that would be a platform deal. And a platform deal may eventually have other firms acquired to tuck underneath it. Those acquisitions we call tuck ins or add ons. And because they are taking assets and putting them into something larger, you could say, oh well, that kind of sounds like the strategic. And the answer is, yeah, kind of does. So that's why, in a private equity deal, the hybrid, as we might also call it, could, from a multiple standpoint, look more like a strategic offer. So that's just a little financial nuance there. But typically speaking, private equity groups are going to be the biggest, you know, the biggest buyers out there. There's still a lot of dry powder and another big category that I like to spotlight. Well, there's two others I would put under this financial bucket. One is family offices might be investing in privately held companies in different asset classes. So, for example, I had a family office. Second generation was on my show and he talked about what he and his father's investment thesis is. And they're focused on warehousing, like storage, you know, storage unit for consumer storage so you can rent one for a year or whatever and put your stuff in it. So he liked they like that asset class because it has a recurring revenue model to it. And that's just one example. And what's really interesting, if you compare the time horizons for these investments, well, a family office is looking for a buy and hold, more likely than buying, selling a short period of time. So, as I said earlier about fit, this is where it's really important. If the seller doesn't want to be in a situation where it could be sold to the one fish and gobbled up by another. They want to be held for like a longer period of time and perpetuity. Then maybe they should look to you know, talking with family offices who are doing acquisitions in their space. So that's a category that is kind of under the radar and I just put a spotlight on in the book. And then the third one are ESOPs, which is a you know, think of it like an almost like a 401k program for your people. When they retire from your company, they're incentivized to stay, and when they retire they will get a distribution check, and so an ESOP is an interesting option for some other companies Again, not a fit for everyone, but it might be a fit for companies of a larger size with enough employee base, where, again, you're going to have a liability at some point to pay these people, so you have to be able to fund that. But what happens in that transaction is that the company becomes a tax-free entity, and so that's a real incentive, you know for companies to reinvest and acquire others, and it can be very positive for the culture too, yeah. David: I know quite a bit about ESOPs because you were kind enough to introduce me to Mike Silverman and in fact he and his partner, Matt were, I guess, in my podcast a few episodes ago and it's really interesting on some of the ESOP opportunities. And I'm glad you brought up the family office because, right, people don't think of that. Laurie: But when? David: I think about the. What I think of philosophically is the super family office. I think about Berkshire Hathaway's acquisition targets. But the problem is I think now they're up to where. When I started reading Warren's annual letters, they were looking for businesses with enterprise value, I think of like 25 million and up, and I think the last I checked it's half a billion or a billion and up. Just because $25 million companies don't move the needle for them. But yeah and it's kind of like their sales pitch is similar to the family office sales pitch. So I guess one way to think of it is, if you like being an aquire of Berkshire Hathaway but you're smaller than a half a billion dollars, then maybe a family office might make sense. But even then when you think about Berk acquisition requirements. They want a business that runs independently of them. They do not want to manage the business. So you're right back to. A business that can run without the owner is more valuable for everybody. Laurie: Yeah, they have the portfolio largely independent of each other. They've kept the brands, I think, pretty separate because they appreciate the brand and the competitive moat, as they like to call it, around that business. I think they look for companies that have a competitive market differentiation, so it makes sense that they don't muddle the water. David: Yeah. Laurie: Yeah. David: Have there been any positive surprises from writing the book that you didn't anticipate when you wrote? Laurie: it Surprises. Let me think about that. I think just the reviews have been so delightful and meaningful to me and I guess I just didn't think about it. I don't know that it's a surprise, it was just. Maybe I could say a surprise and delight just to see how this book is helping people or how they've shared told me that it's helping people. I think that has been a really lovely outcome. As an author, you put good in the world and you hope goodness comes back, or you hope that it's helping, but you don't really know unless people tell you, and so that's been really great, I would say. The other is with my clients. I have my clients and meet with them on a regular basis and I have clients that are reading the book and then when I meet with them they're like, yeah, I just read chapter five, let's talk about it. So this combination of I'm not going to quite do this myself, I'm going to read the book, I'm going to get knowledge, but I still want to work with someone to help me along the way, was really reinforcing that what I expected. I expected that, frankly, and I think it's important. I do think people can go through this book on their own and at some point in this call give, I'll give the listeners an option to how to make the most of it, but you can do it on your own. You can. What I think is human nature is we want someone to hold us accountable, and that's, I think, not again not necessarily a surprise, but very reinforcing. That is true and that's why just a kind of a pre announcement here I'm going to be creating an online course from the book so that it can help more people in a different way, and hopefully they'll watch the videos and they'll read the book, and I, what I'm aiming to do is reach a wider audience of entrepreneurs, not just the people who are, you know, three to five years out. This is really a book, I think. If you are beyond startup phase but you're growing your business, why not read this book and understand what it's going to take to create a more valuable exit when you're ready? So it's exciting. I'm planning to launch it in the first quarter of 2024. David: Oh, that is exciting. If somebody is interested in learning more about that is do you have any place for them to go yet, or are we too soon? Laurie: We are too soon, but that's a great idea. I should put up like a waiting list or something on my website, but the businesstransitionhandbookcom is the website page for the blog BusinessTransitionHandbookcom. Yeah, the businesstransitionhandbookcom is a page on my site, so they'll see all other pages too, but this is the landing page for the book, so what I might do is put up I'll put up a blurb at some point about awaiting this for the class. And yeah, no, I'm excited about it. Like I said, I aim to reach more people and help more people with it. David: Yeah, and you know that accountability is interesting, because one of the things I see with our clients is that one of the things that's interesting about our clients is that 90% of them have revenues between 10 and 100 million probably somewhere in the light of your clients and the vast majority of them do not borrow money. They've been financially successful enough. They've been able to, you know, internally find growth and because of in that, in addition to other reasons, and most of these also, it's a single shareholder, they don't have a board, and so these clients have zero accountability, like their only accountability is like to their family, to make sure that you know the monthly income is what they're hoping it would be. But you know, they don't have a bank to be accountable to, they don't have a board, they don't have other shareholders, so I can see where that accountability is something that they could be really helpful for them, that they don't really have anywhere else. Now, of course, they may have done that on purpose. Maybe they didn't really like being accountable. You know they were an accountable employee and then they borrowed money from the bank to start a business, so maybe they don't really like me. What do you think? Laurie: I have a client that's about 120 million revenue business in the call it food production space and he's very purposeful, has very good intentions for transition with his daughter over time and really wants to see her be successful in the company and grow with the company. And his partner, to his credit, said hey, not real name. You know, joe, you're going to want we should do a new operating agreement. You know your daughter's in the business now. She's doing a great job. We need a new operating agreement. And this operating agreement was sitting on my client's desk coffee stains. You know he literally had it in the corner of his desk. He told me he was there for nine months and then I met him in a workshop and then that was it. He said oh, that's it, I have to do something. I can't just keep looking at that document. And of course in the transition it's more than just the operating agreement. But it was so many other things too and he just the accountability was really good for him. He needed that. He really did because he had the intention to do it. It just was, you know, backburner and it was never the thing to do when all these other important things are common. Adam. David: Now that makes sense, and I just want to be clear businesstransitionbookcom or businesstransitionhandbookcom. Laurie: I just want to make sure I had it. Yeah, that's okay. It's the title of the book. Yeah, oh it's the. David: Okay yeah, I'm looking at the book. Okay, yeah, that is easy note to remember. What do you enjoy the most about your podcast? Trying to switch gears a little bit. Laurie: I love talking with people on my show about what's worked for them, what they've learned and what they would do differently and if I have an entrepreneur. I have two kinds of entrepreneurs that come on the show. One type is looking in the rearview mirror and that's where they'll get the lessons learned right. We really learn a lot from others where it just didn't quite go the way they would have liked and when they have successes, of course we learn a lot from that too. So that's one type of entrepreneur. The other type of entrepreneur is looking forward and I've started to have more conversations with entrepreneurs and I'm asking them questions about their legacy and how their intentions are for their transition and legacy, if they're open to sharing it. I've had a gentleman came on my show. He's in the HVAC space and he had let his company, his partner, know his intentions to retire in three years and it was almost like this huge weight was lifted off his shoulders and now that it's out there, they can create plans, they can work on things and it's a little bit freeing to do something like that. Other people who aren't quite ready to say what it is they want to do. We talk a little more generally about what's important to them as they think about transition and leaving a meaningful legacy for their stakeholders or family or employees, and I'm really enjoying those conversations. I also talk with people who are experts in the industry on some particular topic, like tax advisors, financial advisors, legal advisors, and those conversations are wonderful because then, as I build my Rolodex of professionals that are able to be the best fit for my clients, it's a wonderful way to do business development and people who listen to the show have. You know, not every listener becomes a client, but I have had listeners reach out. They've listened to succession stories for a year, two years, whatever it is, and they reach out and they said Lori, a longtime fan would love to talk with you. And the resources that are available from the show are on my website, like business assessments and different articles and knowledge articles give plenty of videos and ask to help people learn about different topics. So I feel like this body of knowledge. You know this thought leadership type of approach where if people listen, they learn about me, they learn about what would they do, and then maybe they want to follow up. You know is pretty exciting. So I really like that. I like when I hear from my audience. They tell me what's an interesting topic to them or questions they might have, and I think the learning is really the main thing. I'm a continuous learner I always have been and I find that with every show I'm learning something. You know, I'm learning something every time and I just love that. David: Yeah, and I've probably listened to half of your episodes. I suppose and you know that episode you have with Mike Silverman was really memorable that you know have had to introduce several clients to Mike, and so I think having the advisors on is also a great idea and that's kind of how you fit short of on my show, right? We're not talking about the ICDisc program at all, but you're somebody who my clients outside the ICDisc may find value to this conversation and yeah and I'm like you I love to hear, to hear, people's stories on the Colby. I'm an 8643, which I don't know. If you know the Colby, I do know the Colby. So I'm. That's what's called high fact finding. Okay, so I lead with the fact finding. So for me, I'm always more comfortable, you know, asking questions than answering them. Maybe that's from childhood trauma, where I was forced to answer too many uncomfortable questions by my parents. I don't know. Well, I can't believe how the time has flown by. By the way, what's your website? Laurie: My website is thebusinesstransitionsherpacom. David: Oh, okay, I like it. Laurie: Thank you, you know. I just wanted to mention David, because if your listeners are finding this topic helpful, that's good, you know, and then they probably might be wondering well, what's the next step? Or you know how do I sort of take small nibbles as opposed to biting off a whole arm, and I would recommend that. You know, I don't want people to feel overwhelmed, I want them to feel reassured that we have a process and we'll work with them to meet them where they are and I guess the you know. The next thing would be to reach out and whether they are in a mode of transition and planning, which is what I'll call pre-M&A right, not that they have to sell, but just conceptually. And then, for folks who are anticipating selling to a third party or a family member, you know that transaction somehow some way. So I'm a certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor and can help steer them on that path, from the practical side as well as the emotional side, to get a deal done that makes them happy. Okay, I like it. David: If people want to reach out to you, is LinkedIn probably the best way. Laurie: Yeah, linkedin's a great way. Let me know that you heard me on the show. That would be awesome, and I think, david, you'd probably love to know that too. And they could reach me on my website. As you said, the business transition Sherpa, there's a spot to book directly with me. We can connect via Calendly. David: Okay, and then what's the website for the podcast? Laurie: Successionstoriescom is the name of the show and again, you can find it directly on my website in the podcast section. All the catalog of the shows are there, but it's in every type of platform, so if you're Apple or Spotify or whatever you like, you'll find it. David: That's great. So here's the surprise question I promised you. Laurie: So I have two questions left. David: And so here comes the surprise one. So if you could go back in time and give advice to your 25 year old self, what advice might you give? Laurie: I think I should have bought a business. David: Okay, so you would have encouraged yourself to buy a business. Laurie: Yes, when I was 25 and I was graduating from my master's program. It was all about the next great tech startup, yeah, and creating that from scratch. And that wasn't me, yeah. But I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I just didn't feel like that was me in that mold. And I think now I'm more attuned to entrepreneurs through acquisition, you know as a category, and I didn't mention them, but they also would fall under the financial buyer category and there are many of them out there, not just in the US but around the world, who are interested in being part of that succession plan for a founder next generation leader. David: If you do you ever listen to the my First Million podcast. Laurie: I'd spent a while, but I'm familiar with it. You like that. David: They had a guest on recently. That is probably certainly my top five favorite podcast interviews ever and it's about a woman Sarah I forget her last name, but she was getting her MBA and decided she was going to buy a business with and she had zero money. She was going to buy a business you like these real estate advertisements? Buying real estate with no money down. She was going to buy a business with no money down and it's just a fascinating story of the process she went through through in just an astonishingly wonderful interview that I couldn't recommend highly enough. So apparently she was able to somehow go back in time and give her a 25 year old self that advice because she managed to pull that off. That's very cool. Is there anything we didn't cover that you wish we had? Laurie: Well, I think just to reiterate for people that when time is on your side, you can make an impact on your future and give yourself the space to work on your business and not just in your business. That would probably be my main advocacy and surround yourself with people that can help hold you accountable to the process and meet you where you are. So if they are just thinking about it, trying to figure it out, trying to understand what's their business worth today, yeah, that's a great place to start to. You know, try to figure out and model. Where are you now, where do you want to be and what's the gap and how are you going to get there? David: That's awesome, Laurie. I really appreciate your time on the show and I appreciate you taking the time to be on here. Laurie: Well, David, thank you for having me. I know this is my second time around you and I talked on a different show. We did. David: Yeah, we did. Laurie: It's lovely to be back with you and reconnect, and I'm just so glad that you are sharing this content with your audience, and I appreciate you, thank you. David: Yeah, it is my pleasure. Well, I hope you have a great day. Laurie: You too. Special Guest: Laurie Barkman.

Dawn Barkman, Pima County Deputy's Organization. Sheriff Nanos refuses to fire a corrections officer accused of serial organized retail theft despite recommendations by his command staff. Anton Chism, Pima County Constable. Anton talks about his life journey, up through his work as a Pima County Constable.

Laurie Barkman is an M&A advisor and the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50 business. She now guides business owners as an M&A intermediary, facilitating both sell-side and buy-side transactions. Laurie is a dynamic speaker who has consulted, advised, and presented to hundreds of CEOs and business owners. She is the author of The Business Transition Handbook: How To Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options and is the host of the award-winning podcast, Succession Stories. In this episode… When planning to exit a business, the first step is to create clearly defined goals. You need to assess your current business environment and practices including your finances, record keeping, and your business' worth.  Taking this into consideration, succession planning should start early to ensure a smooth transition out of a business. Working with experienced M&A experts and advisors can help you prepare for a successful exit. A strategic transition plan aligned with your goals will help you avoid the common succession pitfalls. In this episode of the Innovations and Breakthroughs Podcast, Rich Goldstein is joined by Laurie Barkman, an M&A advisor, about succession planning best practices. They discuss Laurie's exit planning process, how to avoid regrets after selling a business, and how intellectual property promotes business transferability.

James Barkman is a outdoorsman, photographer, and journalist who's a legendary close friend of ours and our first returning guest here on storytime (for obvious reasons). On this episode we talk about the recent locations of war he's been documenting and traveling to, intense near-death experiences, and his professional opinion on the world of aliens.Hosted by Seager Co-Founders Case Anderson, Mattson Smith and Elliott Shaw.Produced by Eli PaulEdited by Dylan LeschA Seager Company Production | www.seagerco.comSpecial thanks to Coors Banquet and Desert Door Texas Sotol.--------SHOP: www.seagerco.comFOLLOW THE BOYSInstagram:  @seager_co  Storytime Instagram:  @seager_storytime

Laurie Barkman: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls Laurie Barkman is the business transition sherpa and the former CEO of a $100 million company that was sold to Fortune 50. Laurie is the author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options," and host of the Succession Stories Podcast. Welcome to the Conscious Millionaire Show for entrepreneurs, who want to achieve high sales and positively impact humanity! Join host, JV Crum III, as he goes inside the minds of conscious guests such as Millionaire Entrepreneurs and World-Class Business Experts. Like this Podcast? Get every episode delivered to you free!  Subscribe in iTunes Download Your Free Money-Making Gift Now... "Born to Make Millions" Hypnotic Audio - Click Here Now! Please help spread the word. Subscribing and leaving a review helps others find our podcast. Thanks so much! Inc Magazine "Top 13 Business Podcasts." Conscious Millionaire Network has over 3,800 episodes that have been heard by over 100 million in 190 countries.

Laurie Barkman: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls Laurie Barkman is the business transition sherpa and the former CEO of a $100 million company that was sold to Fortune 50. Laurie is the author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options," and host of the Succession Stories Podcast. Welcome to the Conscious Millionaire Show for entrepreneurs, who want to achieve high sales and positively impact humanity! Join host, JV Crum III, as he goes inside the minds of conscious guests such as Millionaire Entrepreneurs and World-Class Business Experts. Like this Podcast? Get every episode delivered to you free!  Subscribe in iTunes Download Your Free Money-Making Gift Now... "Born to Make Millions" Hypnotic Audio - Click Here Now! Please help spread the word. Subscribing and leaving a review helps others find our podcast. Thanks so much! Inc Magazine "Top 13 Business Podcasts." Conscious Millionaire Network has over 3,800 episodes that have been heard by over 100 million in 190 countries.

Are you prepared to unlock the door to financial freedom and real estate success? Picture this: a life where you're in control of your finances, ready to empower your community through financial literacy. It's not a dream – it's a journey we're embarking on today. Joining us in this episode is the exceptional Laurie Barkman, the business transition sherpa. She's the CEO of Small Dot Big, and the best-selling author of The Business Transition Handbook. Recently featured in Forbes, Laurie is the expert you need to guide you towards making sound financial decisions and securing your future. Laurie shares her extensive knowledge on preparing your business for a successful exit. She emphasizes the significance of early planning, and she's here to guide you through the common pitfalls to avoid, tying it all back to the core principles of financial literacy. From the importance of maintaining clean financials to understanding the value of recurring revenue, Laurie offers valuable insights into making informed decisions for your business. You'll learn how to achieve the freedom and success you desire as a business owner while still leaving a lasting impact on your community. Laurie's book, The Business Transition Handbook, serves as a comprehensive guide for business owners looking to transition or sell their businesses. The book offers exercises and a digital toolkit that can aid you in your transition journey. Key Takeaways: 03:22 The mindset you need for a successful business transition. 10:15 The pitfalls to avoid in the exit strategy process. 18:45 The importance of clean financials. 27:10 How recurring revenue can transform your business. 35:50 Strategies to secure your legacy and make an impact. Connect with Laurie @:Website: https://smalldotbig.com/ Podcast: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/succession-stories-podcast/ The Business Transition Handbook: https://a.co/d/6HEY3Ap Email: lbarkman@smalldotbig.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Connect with Corwyn@: Contact Number: 843-619-3005 Email: corwyn@corwynmelette.com Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/exitstrategiesradioshow/⁠ FB Page:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/exitstrategiessc/⁠ Youtube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoSuynJd5c4qQ_eDXLJaZA⁠ Website:⁠ https://www.exitstrategiesradioshow.com⁠ Linkedin:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmelette/⁠ Shoutout to our Sponsor: MEME EUBANKS Do you want something more? More Meaningful Moments opportunities, deeper relationships and memorable experiences? Do you want to make a difference? If you say YES, a career and real estate could be the opportunity you're looking for guiding people to one of the most important decisions they ever made, the purchase or sale of their home can be both rewarding and lucrative.  Exit Realty has a revolutionary compensation model training and technology that provides you with the tools you need to start and build your successful real estate career. Call me today MEME EUBANKS Your Country REALTOR at 843-730-3327 that's 843-730-3327 or visit exitlowcountry.com/joinexit and make your EXIT today. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/corwyn-j-melette/support

Stepping out of a business is a formidable challenge, fraught with emotional and pragmatic hurdles. After all, when you have poured everything into building something, it's an almost impossible undertaking to leave it all behind. In this episode, Elliot Kallen brings on Laurie Barkman, author of The Business Transition Handbook, to discuss the intricate journey every entrepreneur faces: the path from birthing a business idea to the emotional and pragmatic challenges of selling and transitioning into retirement. They discuss the essential role of an advisor, the hazards of not being adequately prepared for transitions, and the significance of charitable considerations post-sale. Tune in and learn how to start, scale, and step back!

"This episode was brought to you by Reconciled.com. Helping M&A Entrepreneurs just like you with Bookkeeping, CFO & Controller Services, Outsourced Enterprise Accounting and Tax Services. Reconciled.com" Also Sponsored by www.SmallBizAcquisitions.com/exit - Expert 1:1 mentorship program to help you buy your first U.S. Based Small Business. From training, then funding, and post acquisition support.About The Guest(s): Laurie Barkman is the CEO of a privately held company and a certified mergers and acquisitions advisor. She is also the host of the "Succession Stories" podcast and the author of the book "Business Transition Handbook."Summary: Laurie Barkman shares her journey from being the CEO of a privately held company to becoming a mergers and acquisitions advisor. She discusses the emotional and practical aspects of business transitions and highlights the importance of planning for the future. Laurie also emphasizes the need for a transition mindset and the value of understanding the different types of buyers in the market. The book "Business Transition Handbook" is a valuable resource for business owners, family businesses, next-gen leaders, and acquisition entrepreneurs who are looking to navigate the complexities of business transitions.Key Takeaways:Begin with the end in mind and have a transition mindset.Understand the different types of buyers and find the best fit for your business.Take an inventory of your assets and determine their attractiveness and transferability.Foster a team that can run the business without you and create a sales process that involves others.Time is on your side when it comes to creating options for your business transition.Watch it on Youtube: https://youtu.be/FwbUShy3eTg--------------------------------------------------Contact Laurie onLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/--------------------------------------------------How2Exit Joins IT ExchangeNet's Channel Partner Network!-Why IT ExchangeNet?Since 1998, IT ExchangeNet has created $5 billion in value by selling more than 225 IT businesses in 20 countries. IT ExchangeNet works exclusively with IT-enabled businesses generating between $5M and $30M who are ready to be sold and M&A decision-makers who are ready to buy. For over 25 years IT ExchangeNet has developed industry knowledge that helps them determine whether a seller is a good fit for their buyers before making a match."Out of all of the brokers I've met, this team has the most experience and I believe the best ability to get IT service businesses sold at the best price" - Ron Skelton TheIT ExchangeNet M&A Marketplace we partnered with has a proprietary database of 50,000+ global buyers seeking IT Services firms, MSPs, MSSPs, Software-as-a-Service platforms, and channel partners in the Microsoft, Oracle, ServiceNow, and Salesforce space.If you are interested in learning more about the process and current market valuations, complete the contact form and we'll respond within one business day. Everything is kept confidential.Are you interested in what your business may be worth? Unlock the value of your IT Services firm, visit https://www.itexchangenet.com/marketplace-how2exit and complete the contact form.Our partnership with IT ExchangeNet focuses on deals above $5M in value. If you are looking to buy or sell a tech business below the $5M mark, we recommend Flippa.--------------------------------------------------

BIO: Laurie Barkman, the business transition sherpa, is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50 company.STORY: Though Laurie has had a flourishing career in the startup world, she regrets not spending that time building her own business.LEARNING: Quit often, quit fast. Don't hesitate, or stay in something that doesn't bring you value. Pay attention to your instinct; don't be afraid to act on it. “Gravitate towards your strengths and follow your passions if you're clear about what they are.”Laurie Barkman Guest profileLaurie Barkman, the business transition sherpa, is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50 company.Laurie guides business owners through the often overwhelming process of transition planning. As a mergers and acquisitions intermediary, she facilitates sell-side and buy-side transactions in the lower middle market.Laurie is the Amazon best-selling author of The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options and hosts the award-winning podcast Succession Stories, rated in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally.Laurie earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a bachelor's from Cornell University. She received a professional designation from The Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors.Get a complimentary business assessment. See how an acquirer would evaluate your business, enabling you to focus today on what will be important down the road. Learn what changes could double the value of your business.Worst investment everWhen Laurie was studying for her MBA, she also took entrepreneurship courses and was the president of the entrepreneurship club. Laurie was excited about graduating and going into entrepreneurship. But, she didn't have the big idea or tech skills. This was in the late 90s when it was all about tech startups. Laurie also lacked the risk profile. So, instead of starting a business or buying an existing one after her MBA, she joined a startup, which in and of itself was a good thing.Looking back at her career, most of the positions Laurie had helped her add value and grow professionally. But one or two roles made her realize that she should have invested her time in building her own business instead of going into employment.Lessons learnedTry to figure out what you're good at, what you're not, and what you enjoy and don't before settling on a permanent career path.Gravitate towards your strengths and follow your passions if you're clear about them.Andrew's takeawaysQuit often, quit fast. Don't hesitate, or stay in something that doesn't bring you value.Pay attention to your instinct; don't be afraid to act on it.Actionable adviceIt's important to trust your instincts. If you're feeling unsure about something, trust that little voice.Laurie's recommendationsLaurie recommends her book, The Business Transition Handbook, for business owners with questions...

Laurie has a pretty great Cornell story, including meeting her husband, connecting with a family abroad, honing the skills she'd use for the rest of her career, and having a very unusual campus job.And now...Laurie is the business transition sherpa.She is also the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50. She provides Strategic Business Transition Planning (pre-M&A services) with her firm, SmallDotBig LLC. She provides a structured process for business owners to plan successful transitions of their companies. And that's not nearly all.She's also an award-winning podcast host, so you know this was a very smooth episode.Plus she wrote a book you can buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Business-Transition-Handbook-Succession-Pitfalls/dp/1959508016/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DU6B6O8TQCWA&keywords=laurie+barkman&qid=1693799340&sprefix=laurie+barkman%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1And help us settle the croissant/cwoissant debate. DM us your opinion.Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkmanNot sponsored by or affiliated with Cornell University

Growing up, James Barkman had a friend who always talked about riding from Alaska to Ushuaia. When he got the call that his friend's dream was about to become a reality, James was excited to join him on the trip. However, James suggested an even more adventurous twist to the plan: he and his two friends would combine the motorcycle trip with mountain climbing. This meant that they had to pack for both activities, which was a unique challenge. They had to include everything they would need for motorcycling as well as everything they'd need for high-altitude climbing. This trip was not for the faint of heart, as they dealt with unpredictable weather conditions and had to camp for extended periods of time. The adventure was peppered with moments of excitement, tension, and even a close encounter with death. You can find the photos and links related to this episode on our website adventureriderradio.com. Adventure Rider Radio is the oldest and most extensive adventure motorcycle and travel podcast. Our podcast has been running weekly since 2014, without missing a single week. We are committed to bringing you new and exciting episodes every Thursday. We hope that we can count on your support. For only $5 per month, you can become a Patreon supporter and enjoy ad-free listening along with a sticker. You can also make a one-time donation of just $10, and we'll send you a sticker. Donations of $50 or more will receive a shout-out on RAW. Please visit the Support page on our website to become a supporter. Thank you for your support!

For anyone who owns a business, the process of passing down a company from one owner to the next can be quite challenging. Without proper guidance and careful planning, it can be difficult to know where to start when considering how best to transition ownership and ensure profitable continuity for yourself and future owners.  Furthermore, understanding the pitfalls of succession planning and developing clear exit options before any transactions occur is essential in creating positive long-term outcomes for all parties involved.  Join Matt DiFrancesco and Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, Author, and M&A Advisor, as they talk about how entrepreneurs can approach transitioning their businesses from transactional model efforts to more strategic initiatives —and what measures need to be taken to avoid common missteps along the way.   They talk about: (02:46) The story behind the name “Business Transition Sherpa” (03:51) What prompted Laurie to write the Business Transition Handbook (10:31) Why businesses that are very dependent on the owner will not create much value (11:56) What is a strategic readiness plan and why is it important? (15:49) The best time to start planning for business transition (19:58) A good place to start when transitioning your business (22:52) Why is hiring a Transition or Exit Planning Specialist important? Connect with Laurie Barkman Website: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com Book: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/the-business-transition-handbook/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Connect With Matt DiFrancesco: matt@highliftfin.com (814)201-5855 LinkedIn: Matt DiFrancesco LinkedIn: High Lift Financial Facebook: High Lift Financial  Instagram: @high_lift_financial Youtube: @highliftfinancial About Our Guest: Laurie Barkman, the business transition sherpa, is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50. As a mergers and acquisitions expert, Laurie offers business owners a systematic method for organizing smooth transitions inside their organizations. Laurie is the author of The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options, guiding business owners on their journey from transition to transaction, from creating value to letting go. She is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University and hosts the award-winning podcast Succession Stories, where she speaks with hundreds of entrepreneurs who have shared their journeys through succession. Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. She received certifications from The Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors, The Exit Planning Institute, and The Value Builder System. Laurie currently lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and two kids.  DISCLAIMER: The content posted here solely represents the opinions and views of the guest and may not be similar to the opinions and views of High Lift Financial. It is not a substitute for tax or legal advice or professional investment.

The World's #1 Personal Development Book Podcast! In today's episode we have the pleasure to interview Laurie Barkman author of “The Business Transition Handbook”  Laurie, aka Business transition Sherpa, is the former CEO of a company that did $100 million dollars in yearly revenue that was sold to a Fortune 50 company. She now provides Strategic Business Transition Planning (pre-M&A services) with her firm, SmallDotBig. Laurie is a wife, mother, and adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, she also hosts the award-winning podcast Succession Stories!  In this episode you'll learn all about Laurie's book, hear some interesting succession stories, why it's important to build a company worth buying, and what you can do to set yourself up for a successful exit! Don't be like the majority who run out of time and options. Please enjoy this incredible conversation with Laurie Barkman! To Learn More Visit: ⁠⁠thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com For FREE resources to increase the value of your business visit: thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/business-transition-assessments Today's episode is sponsored by Audible. Try Audible for free: www.bookthinkers.com/audibletrial. The purpose of this podcast is to connect you, the listener, with new books, new mentors, and new resources that will help you achieve more and live better. Each and every episode will feature one of the world's top authors so that you know each and every time you tune-in, there is something valuable to learn. If you have any recommendations for guests, please DM them to us on Instagram. (www.instagram.com/bookthinkers) If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more BookThinkers content, check out our Instagram or our website. Thank you for your time!

This episode should be helpful to business owners.  However, anyone working IN a business should find it interesting to know more about one of the topics on the mind of many business owners: business succession planning. After walking the walk of leading a $100M family-owned business through their transition, Laurie is now a guide to business owners providing a structured process to plan successful transitions of their companies. Laurie hosts a podcast, Succession Stories (link below), has written a book: The Business Transition Handbook (link below) and is an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. I have both been a guest on her podcast and read her book. Laurie has a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience and easily understood way of speaking and teaching on a topic so near and dear to her heart.   Laurie's links: Website: https://smalldotbig.com/ Podcast: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com/succession-stories-podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrCRoEBQhh-SP1BDwnhMZA/videos The Business Transition Handbook: https://a.co/d/6HEY3Ap Email: lbarkman@smalldotbig.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/     This episode was recorded in June 2023.  

As with any strategic planning it's as important to know what pitfalls to avoid as much as it is what actions to take or put in place.And there are not a few pitfalls to avoid when planning your exit which is most often the most significant and impactful event and transaction of their life as a business owner.Today we are going to get specific about some of the more common pitfalls to avoid.And our guest is Laurie Barkman of Stony Hill Advisors who has been with us before and we're happy to have back.Laurie, the business transition sherpa, is the former CEO of a $100million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50. She is an mergers and acquisitions advisor, exit planner and author of “The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Exit Options.Want to learn more? Go to: ennislp.comDISCLAIMER:The information in this presentation is provided as education only, with the understanding that neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners or GRF CPAs & Advisors is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. If you require legal advice or other expert assistance, you should seek the services of a competent professional. Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners or GRF CPAs & Advisors shall have any legal liability or responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this presentation.============================================“We want you to help you build a business that is sellable and exit successfully on your own terms and conditions.” - Pat Ennis============================================

Welcome to the "How to Sell a Business Podcast"! In this episode, we dive deep into the critical question of who should take the reins of your business after you step away. Our special guest, Laurie Barkman, an esteemed authority on business transition planning, shares invaluable insights and practical tools to help you navigate this crucial phase of your entrepreneurial journey. As the author of "The Business Transition Handbook," Laurie Barkman understands the challenges faced by busy entrepreneurs who often overlook the importance of planning for their company's future. Join us as Laurie sheds light on the often-overwhelming exit process and empowers CEOs and business owners to take proactive steps towards a successful transition. During this interactive session, Laurie draws from her vast experience and provides real-life examples to guide you through the complexities of value building and exit planning. Discover how to sidestep common succession pitfalls and unlock more valuable exit options for yourself and your business. If you've ever wondered how to ensure a smooth and rewarding transition, this episode is a must-listen. Laurie Barkman, the trusted business transition sherpa, shares actionable guidance based on her role as the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was successfully sold to a Fortune 50 corporation. Don't miss this opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools you need to plan your company's future on your own terms. Tune in now to "How to Sell a Business Podcast" and get ready to embark on a transformative journey of business transition and success. Don't forget to connect with her at: Email: lbarkman@smalldotbig.com Website: https://TheBusinessTransitionSherpa.com Podcast: www.successionstories.com   Twitter: @LaurieBarkman Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/successionstories  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman   ************ About the Show The How to Sell a Business Podcast combines nearly 31 years of valuation and exit planning expertise working with business owners. Ed Mysogland has a mission and vision to help business owners understand the value of their business and make it a salable asset. Most of the small business owner's net worth is locked in the company, and to unlock it, a business owner has to sell it. Unfortunately, the odds are against business owners that they won't be able to sell their companies because they don't know what creates a saleable asset. Ed interviews experts who help business owners prepare, build, preserve, and one-day transfer value with the sale of the business.   ************ For past guests, please visit https://www.howtosellabusinesspocast.com/ Follow Ed: Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmysogland/ Twitter: twitter.com/edmyso Instagram: instagram.com/howtosellabusinesspodcast Facebook: facebook.com/howtosellabusinesspodcast  

Solocast with Laurie Barkman, show host and business transition sherpa. Laurie discusses a critical owner succession pitfall to avoid. You don't know what you will do after you leave the business. Personal readiness is an important aspect of business transition planning, and it's often overlooked. Being emotionally unprepared for the transition can lead to feelings of loss and a lack of purpose. Many owners struggle with the decision within 12 months of selling their business. What can you do now to avoid succession regrets? Listen in to learn more about: Why owners feel pushed out of their business when they leave Key drivers for exiting without regrets Know what's important to you for personal transition Seller notes, earnouts, and recapitalization strategies Take a personal readiness to exit assessment   Show Links: Complete Personal Readiness Assessment at MyTransitionScore.com Order “The Business Transition Handbook” on Amazon https://amzn.to/3Hqj2eo Subscribe to Succession Stories YouTube Channel Connect with Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Subscribe to The Business Transition Newsletter-- text Transition to +1-646-495-9867   If you enjoy Succession Stories, please leave a review. Reviews help me reach new listeners, grow the show and continue creating content you'll enjoy. Please click here to leave a review. RateThisPodcast.com/successionstories   About Succession Stories Podcast Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs from transition to transaction. Hosted by Laurie Barkman, author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Transition Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options."  Learn more about Laurie's strategic business transition planning and M&A advisory services by visiting: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com  ______________________________   SHOW SPONSOR: STONY HILL ADVISORS Is this the year to sell your company? 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.  

Consider this: 100% of business owners will leave their business one day. But few are prepared. Laurie Barkman, the business transition sherpa, is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50. As a mergers and acquisitions advisor, Laurie provides a structured process for business owners to plan successful transitions of their companies. Laurie is the author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Succession Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options."  This book demystifies the often overwhelming exit process, guiding business owners who are considering leaving their ventures or simply beginning to think about their next steps. She is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, and hosts the award winning podcast Succession Stories, where she speaks with hundreds of entrepreneurs who have shared their journeys through succession. Laurie returns to Thrive LouD and shares how her book and podcast are essential resources to business owners everywhere. ***CONNECT WITH LOU DIAMOND & THRIVE LOUD***

Solocast with Laurie Barkman, show host and business transition sherpa. In this solocast, Laurie talks about her new book, "The Business Transition Handbook," and discusses a critical owner succession pitfall to avoid – your company needs you too much. A business that relies too heavily on the skills or relationships of the owner is a less transferable and valuable business. Laurie dives into seven ways you can reduce or eliminate value-crushing dependencies by minimizing value derailers and preparing for future ownership succession. Regardless of when you intend to exit, you will benefit by following these time-tested best practices to create a more profitable and enjoyable business to run today.    Show Links: Complete a Value Builder Business Assessment at MyTransitionScore.com Order “The Business Transition Handbook” on Amazon https://amzn.to/3Hqj2eo Get a free Business Transition Toolkit. Download secrets to a successful exit. thebusinesstransitionhandbook.com Download 4 Degrees of Delegation eBook: https://bit.ly/4DegreesDelegation Subscribe to Succession Stories YouTube Channel Connect with Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/   About Succession Stories Podcast Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs from transition to transaction. Hosted by Laurie Barkman, author of "The Business Transition Handbook: How to Avoid Transition Pitfalls and Create Valuable Exit Options."  Get your copy at: www.theBusinessTransitionHandbook.com Start your business transition plan by visiting: https://thebusinesstransitionsherpa.com  ______________________________   SHOW SPONSOR: STONY HILL ADVISORS Is this the year to sell your company? 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.  

“As a leader we can't assume people will follow us.” - Laurie Barkman80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first.Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers andacquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go.Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award- winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories.Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute.Click here to subscribe to The Sell My Business Podcast to save time and effort.SELECTED LINKS FOR THIS EPISODElbarkman@smalldotbig.comSmallDotBigSchedule a Business Transition Advisory Call with Laurie BarkmanLaurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa - YouTubeLaurie Barkman - Value Creation and Business Transition Advisor | CEO/Founder - SmallDotBig LLC | LinkedInLaurie Barkman (@LaurieBarkman) / TwitterSuccession Planning Stories Podcast SmallDotBigCockroach Startups: What You Need To Know To Succeed And ProsperFREE Deep Wealth eBook on Why You Suck At Selling Your Business And What You Can Do About It (Today)Book Your FREE Deep Wealth Strategy CallResources To Have You Thrive And ProsperThe Deep Wealth Podcast brings you a wealth of world-class thought leaders who share invaluable resources and insights. Click the link below to access the resources, gear, and books that either our guests or the Deep Wealth team leverage to increase success:https://www.deepwealth.com/thriveContact Deep Wealth: Tweet @JeffreyFeldberg LinkedIn Instagram Subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast Email podcast[at]deepwealth[dot]com Help us pay it forward by leaving a review.Here's to you and your success!As always, please stay healthy and safe.

In today's solocast, I discuss topics from my upcoming book, The Business Transition Handbook The focus of the book is how to avoid succession pitfalls. Prepare yourself and your company to minimize value derailers, and prepare for a future transition. Regardless of when you intend to exit, you will benefit by following these time-tested best practices to create a more profitable and enjoyable business to run today. 100% of owners will leave their business one day - but few are prepared.   Take-aways: Having a written plan is essential for achieving the desired outcome in a business transition. It is important to have a positive mindset when considering a business transition, as this can lead to better outcomes. Business transition involves three key areas: business readiness, financial readiness, and personal readiness. It is important to consider all three when planning a successful transition.   Show Links: Sign up to pre-order The Business Transition Handbook: Businesstransitionhandbook.com Book an Advisory Call: https://smalldotbig.com/schedule-an-initial-call/ Laurie Barkman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Learn about Strategic Business Transition Planning at https://smalldotbig.com  Subscribe to the Succession Stories YouTube Channel     About Succession Stories Podcast Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast guiding entrepreneurs from transition to transaction. From building value to letting go. The show received the 28th Annual Communicator Award for Audio & Podcast Excellence and is ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally. Join host Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa, as she talks with entrepreneurs, family business leaders, investors, and industry experts as they explore the journey from business growth and innovation, creating a more valuable and transferable business, and avoiding succession regrets when exiting and selling your company. 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. To learn more and subscribe to our newsletter, visit https://smalldotbig.com _______________________________________   SPONSOR: STONY HILL ADVISORS Is this the year to sell your company? 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.  

Not suitable for immature audiences. This podcast includes explicit content.No conversation is ever boring with Tanis Barkman and this podcast at Sheep Week 2023 was no exception. Tanis is a free spirit and die-hard mountain hunting guide that has more stories than you can imagine. She talks about guide life, what got her there, why she stays and what her future plans include.You may hear the odd expletive during this epic chat and you will certainly hear from someone that is passionate about being in the mountains. Tanis talks about her beginnings in Steinbach, Manitoba and about her celebrity chef shifts at the local sushi restaurant in Fernie. Having spent two years in Amsterdam, she discusses returning to Winnipeg and then getting the call from the mountains where she spent ten years snowboarding before catching the guiding bug.Tanis is an incredibly accomplished guide and we discuss the evolution of women in the mountains. Enjoy this visit with Tanis Barkman. Check her out at @tanis_barkman

Albert Barkman is the owner of Barkman Furniture, an Amish furniture manufacturer in Holmes County Ohio. From overcoming the struggles through covid to creating a well running business, Albert has a lot to share. Find them on their website, Facebook, or on Pinterest.Website: https://barkmanfurniture.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barkmanfurniturePinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/barkmanfurniture/

As a business owner, you know the importance of creating a positive and productive environment for your employees and clients. Sound Management Group, led by Keith Barkman, has made it their mission to help business owners achieve that by providing state-of-the-art acoustic and sound proofing solutions. With a background in music and construction, Keith has always been interested in building sound studios. He saw an opportunity to take his father's acoustics company and turn it into a national brand. With the help of his brothers, he tested the market by opening offices in various locations, and now the company is approaching 8 figures in revenue. In this episode of the podcast, Keith will share his insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the acoustic and soundproofing industry, how to turn challenges into opportunities, and how to balance business and family. Tune in to learn from Keith's experience and expertise in growing a successful business.During this episode, you will learn about;[02:07] Introduction to Keith and his business[04:03] COVID's impact on the acoustic/sound proofing industry[05:23] Making a not ideal situation into an opportunity to humanize yourself or situation[10:22] How Keith was introduced to sound masking[14:13] Taking a fathers vision and growing it even larger than ever before imagined[15:07] Have the self control to grow a business at a sustainable rate - ‘metered growth'[20:41] Perfectionism and Analysis Paralysis [33:55] Filling the pipeline is KEY in a project based business [40:15] How to Connect with Keith[41:26] Information on Gathering The Kings Mastermind Group Notable Quotes:“Typically, what architecturally looks great, doesn't do too much for us sound wise.” - Keith Barkman “Entrepreneurship, to me, is about freedom.” - Keith Barkman“What makes the difference for the entrepreneur who doesn't make the time or doesn't feel like he has the time, it's probably because he doesn't value the time that much.” - Chaz Wolfe (Host) “Just get out there and do what it is that you know you want to do.” - Keith Barkman “For those that fall into that perfectionism, high standard: It's not about lowering, it's about giving yourself freedom to just go for it.” - Chaz Wolfe (Host)“Just go for it. Just jump.” - Chaz Wolfe (Host) Books and Resources Recommended:The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday:https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph/dp/1591846358Let's Connect!Keith Barkman:Website: https://soundmanagementgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-barkman-790a758/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundManagementGroupInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundmanagementgroup/Chaz Wolfe (Host): Website:

If you're not working with clients looking to exit their businesses, you may want to start. There is an incredible opportunity for advisors in the M&A space. Learning more about how entrepreneurs think when it comes to exiting a business could help you access a big pool of amazing clients who want and NEED your advice.  Laurie Barkman was the CEO of a $100 million revenue company and the current owner of an M&A firm. She's an expert on transitioning businesses, exit strategies, and succession planning, and during this episode, she reveals what you need to know about entrepreneurial deals, so you're seen as credible to these types of entrepreneurs. She'll help you bring more value to your clients who are selling their businesses and give you tips on how to build relationships with clients that last through transitions.  Tune into Laurie's episode to learn:  Why focusing on your relationship with a client is such a game changer How to make your client's business more attractive and transferable to a potential buyer Why it's a good idea to have an M&A advisor on your team  How to help your clients understand the big picture and focus on their goals Connect with Laurie Barkman Website: https://smalldotbig.com Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SmallDotBig LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebarkman/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBusinessTransitionSherpa/videos Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurieBarkman Connect with Robyn Crane Website: https://robyncrane.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bizgrowth4women/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/robyn-crane-inc./ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RobynCrane Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robyncrane/?hl=en Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catch up on the Succession Stories Podcast with highlights from recent episodes. Host Laurie Barkman spotlights the challenges of business transition, M&A exits, and succession in this special Rewind episode. Topics include building a more sellable business with Jeffrey Feldberg, how to value a business with Fred Kaplan and Kristi Poszlusny, and spotting hidden risk factors in business transferability with Rebecca Monet.  Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the show, subscribe to Succession Stories in your favorite podcast player, and on YouTube, so you don't miss any episodes. You can always go back and listen to earlier shows in the catalog. Enjoy today's Rewind episode of Succession Stories.   Show Links: Succession Stories E105:  https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/105-skills-to-build-your-business-are-not-same-to-sell-it-jeffrey-feldberg/  Succession Stories E104: https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/104-business-valuation-benefits-and-myths-fred-kaplan-and-kristi-posluszny-stony-hill-advisors/  Succession Stories E:107 https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/107-making-your-business-transferable-rebecca-monet/      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 _______________________________________   Is this the year to sell your company? 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.

 Find out how to shape your business into becoming transferable and profitable Discover the ways how to stop letting your business become dependent to you Learn how you can create an exit timeline for yourself and the future success of your business Resources/Links: Want to find out how to create a transferable and profitable business? Click here: meetlauriebarkman.com Summary Do you want to learn how you can exit your business without the worry? Are you ready to find the clarity that you need so that you can afford a grand exit? The value of a business depends on its transferability and profitability in the long run. So how sure are you that your business is worth it? Laurie Barkman is a Business Transition Sherpa working with business owners to create company value and plan for a future exit that rewards their hard work. Dive in as Laurie talks about how you can maximize the value of your business and shares her awesome tips on how to find that clarity and alignment to get your master exit plan going. Check out these episode highlights: 01:31 - Laurie's ideal client: Business owners who are running privately held companies in the US and revenues of five to 50 million, any industries, but I work a lot with owners and business services, industrials, tech, and all across any industry. 01:51 - The problem she helps solve: Like you said, 100% of business owners are going to leave their company one day, boots on or boots off, but many of them, the vast majority of them, do not have a plan for that exit or to sell their business. 02:42 - The symptoms of the problem: The number one feeling or emotion that I encounter is people feel trapped. And they also feel encumbered by uncertainty. And so, the number one value that I provide to them or work with them on is finding alignment and clarity on a strategy. 03:38 - Clients' common mistakes before consulting Laurie: Yeah, the biggest thing is they need to understand how they can de-risk their business. So many times, owners don't understand that a business that isn't transferable is a worthless business. And the business is too dependent on them personally. 05:37 - Laurie's Valuable Free Action (VFA): I think a big thing is beginning with the end in mind. Can you create an exit timeline for yourself? Just sketch it out roughly, that you want to move on in 10 years, and maybe it's not age, but it's life stage. 06:31 - Laurie's Valuable Free Resource (VFR): Want to find out how to create a transferable and profitable business? Click here: meetlauriebarkman.com 07:26 - Q: People want to know what their business is worth. You'd be shocked to know that 90% of us don't know what that business is worth. Is it possible to find out? A: The answer is yes. We do business valuations to help owners understand what their value is or what can be their largest asset. Tweetable Takeaways from this Episode: “A business that isn't transferable is a worthless business.” -Laurie BarkmanClick To Tweet Transcript (Note, this was transcribed using a transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast) Tom Poland 00:10 Welcome, everyone, to another edition of Marketing the Invisible. I'm Tom Poland beaming out to you from the little sunshine coast here in Australia joined today by Laurie Barkman. Laurie, good day from Down Under. Where are you hanging out? Laurie Barkman 00:21 I'm in the United States. I'm in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA. Tom Poland 00:24 Pretty much everyone's in the US, it seems! So, you're on Eastern time, is that right? Laurie Barkman 00:31 That's right. Tom Poland 00:32 So, what do you got, like 20 to 5 pm yesterday? Laurie Barkman 00:36 That's right. Tom Poland 00:37 And here is, it has gone.

If you've built a successful business, you'll already know that it requires a lot of time, planning, and effort. But do you know what it takes to conduct a successful business exit? Laurie Barkman joins us this week to explain why you should start thinking about your exit many years before you actually want to leave your business and to provide an overview of the steps you need to take to make the transition as smooth and beneficial as possible. About Laurie Barkman:Laurie (the “business transition sherpa”) is the founder and CEO of SmallDotBig LLC (where she is helping owners maximize the value of their company and guiding them through the complex process of letting it go), Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, and host of the Succession Stories podcast. Episode highlights: Just like building a business, exiting a business takes a lot of planning and a lot of teamwork. Letting go is a process, and you want to start evaluating and maximizing value while time is still on your side. A lot of businesses never get sold; they just close down. So plan ahead to ensure that doesn't happen to yours! (05:55) Before exiting, it's important to create a vision of what your life is going to look like afterward so that you don't lose your identity when you sell your business. (31:08) If you want your business to be transferable, make sure you have a documented process of how your business works so that people other than you can do what you do. (42:08) Be patient with yourself! Being a business owner means there's always something more to do, but be easy on yourself; you don't always have to be in control. (46:53) Laurie's best advice for entrepreneurs:“Being a planner, being proactive, is a good thing. If we're always running our business looking in the rearview, how are we able to move forward?” (11:46)  Connect with Laurie: LinkedIn Twitter Website Follow Beyond 8 Figures: LinkedIn Twitter Website

“If a third party sales in your future, why not set it up for success and then work backwards” - Laurie Barkman80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first.Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go.Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award- winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories.Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute.Click here to subscribe to The Sell My Business Podcast to save time and effort.SELECTED LINKS FOR THIS EPISODElbarkman@smalldotbig.comSmallDotBigLaurie Barkman (@LaurieBarkman) / TwitterSchedule a Business Transition Advisory Call with Laurie BarkmanLaurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa - YouTubeLaurie Barkman - Value Creation and Business Transition Advisor | CEO/Founder - SmallDotBig LLC | LinkedInSuccession Planning Stories Podcast SmallDotBigThe Deep Wealth Sell My Business PodcastCockroach Startups: What You Need To Know To Succeed And ProsperFREE Deep Wealth eBook on Why You Suck At Selling Your Business And What You Can Do About It (Today)Book Your FREE Deep Wealth Strategy CallContact Deep Wealth: Tweet @JeffreyFeldberg LinkedIn Instagram Subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast Email podcast@deepwealth.com Help us pay it forward by leaving a review.Here's to you and your success!

Growing a business requires preparing and planning for the future in order to make it transferable. Laurie Barkman is teaching entrepreneurs about making their business firm by helping them maximize enterprise value, creating succession plans, and identifying M&A strategies. 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first. Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts an award-winning podcast called Succession Stories. Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute. Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Growing a business requires preparing and planning for the future in order to make it transferable. Laurie Barkman is teaching entrepreneurs about making their business firm by helping them maximize enterprise value, creating succession plans, and identifying M&A strategies. 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first. Laurie Barkman is a "business transition sherpa." With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go. Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value. Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts an award-winning podcast called Succession Stories. Laurie earned her MBA from Carnegie Mellon and BS from Cornell University. She is a Certified Value Builder Advisor and has a Certificate from the Exit Planning Institute. Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Laurie Barkman is the founder and CEO of SmallDotBig LLC, a strategy advisory firm for business owners to maximize the value of their company anticipating a future ownership transition. Additionally, she is a Partner with Stony Hill Advisors, an M&A​ ​firm representing companies on the buy-side or sell-side of transactions. During her 25+ year career, Laurie has created value through digital transformation at companies ranging from large enterprises to startups, including American Eagle Outfitters, Ingersoll-Rand, Topanga Partners, MediaSite, JazzHR, Burns White, and The Art Institutes. As host of the Succession Stories Podcast, Laurie curates conversations with next-generation entrepreneurs. You can find her show wherever you listen to podcasts. Laurie has joined me to discuss the idea of business acquisitions from both the seller's and the buyer's perspectives. She tells us how you can identify the risks in your business that potential buyers might see and how emotions can impact the ability to sell your business. She talks about the importance of not having your business revolve around yourself but building it in such a way that it can exist independently, and the nuance between being a business owner and owning a business. We also touch on ways in which you can build an attractive business from the start, growing organically vs growing through acquisitions, and the information and factors behind getting an accurate value estimation for your business. “If you want to build a business that one day will thrive without you, then you will set the course now.” - Laurie Barkman This week on SmallBizChat Podcast: Relevant Resources: Connect with Laurie Barkman: Become Your Own Boss Book GIVEAWAY! The 2020 pandemic has been so hard on America's small businesses - and America in general. If you're ready to start your dream business, then look no further! I'm currently giving away 1,000 free copies of my best-selling book: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. This book has helped over 100,000 people like you to start, build, and grow their small businesses… and now it's your time to shine. All you have to do to get your hands on a free copy is head over to www.beginmybiz.com/freeoffer to sign up for your free offer. You only pay shipping. Let's End Small Business Failure - Together! Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of the SmallBizChat Podcast - the show on a mission to improve small business success. If you enjoyed this episode, head over to Apple Podcasts, subscribe to the show, and leave us a rating and review. Help us spread the word and end small business failure by sharing your favorite episodes with your friends and colleagues on social media. Visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or YouTube for more great content, tips, and strategies to improve your small business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James joins the podcast to talk about climbing, exploring, Pakistan, and on a longer note, the war in Ukraine and how the conflict there has driven to a leap into independent journalism.  Donate to James' Effort here: www.kermodegroup.org