“Entrepreneurship is in everyone. It just gets expressed in different ways.” Luke Williams Show host Laurie Barkman welcomes Luke Williams, Founder/CEO of IdeaSkills and Clinical Associate Professor of Innovation and Design at NYU Stern School of Business. They discuss whether entrepreneurship can be taught and delve into the importance of fostering innovative mindsets within established companies. Luke shares insights from his book 'Disrupt' and discusses the balance between maintaining busines...
Jul 20, 2025•42 min•Ep. 207
“Simply treating people with respect, with dignity and agency, has been really counterculture and I hope that that becomes a more infectious and attractive way to work.” - Brea Starmer Host Laurie Barkman interviews Brea Starmer, Founder and CEO of Lions and Tigers. Brea shares her experience of turning a layoff into a successful business, her passion for empowering careers for women and mothers, and the unique approach of intrapreneurship. The discussion covers Brea's personal journey, the chal...
Jul 16, 2025•24 min•Ep. 206
“The really great exciting thing about entrepreneurship is even if you don't know from a young age that's the route you want to go, it's never too late to get there.” - Jaclyn Beatty Show host Laurie Barkman interviews Jaclyn Beatty, a seasoned sales professional and Owner/Principal Consultant of Geared for Growth at Sales Xceleration. Jaclyn shares her non-traditional journey to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of the entrepreneurial gene and the belief that entrepreneurs can be mad...
Jul 13, 2025•23 min•Ep. 205
“I'm guilty of having always had the feeling of being proud, but not satisfied with my accomplishments. Once I get to one goal, I’m ready to move on to the next.” - Harry Haywood Host Laurie Barkman chats with Harry Haywood, President of HBS Solutions Inc. Harry shares insights on the importance of resilience, creativity, and overcoming criticism. With over 15 years of experience, he discusses the challenges of managing growth, building a strong leadership team, and the significance of time mana...
Jul 09, 2025•23 min•Ep. 204
“The fundamental things are being incredibly optimistic, having the confidence to believe that not only is your idea a good idea, but that you can actually pull it off, and you have to have thick skin.” - Jessica Kenyon Host Laurie Barkman interviews Jessica Kenyon, CEO of The Conafay Group. Jessica shares her thoughts on key entrepreneurial traits like optimism, confidence, and resilience. The discussion covers her unconventional journey to leadership, having a background in archeology and a fa...
Jul 06, 2025•23 min•Ep. 203
“Have the confidence to say, "I believe in my mission and my purpose, and no matter what is in front of me, I will overcome those obstacles.” - Dr. Harry Cohen Host Laurie Barkman interviews Harry Cohen, President and CEO of Sunny Owl Productions and author of “Be the Sun, Not the Salt.” Learn the essential traits that differentiate entrepreneurs— like the ability to tolerate risk and navigate ambiguity, and the significance of instilling an entrepreneurial culture in both large corporations and...
Jul 02, 2025•35 min•Ep. 202
Welcome to The Entrepreneur Gene! Host Laurie Barkman dives into the fascinating world of aerospace with Aleksandra Bogunovic, CEO of AeroThreads. Aleks turned her passion for sewing and fabrication into a thriving business that creates thermal blankets for spacecraft with materials that literally go to space! In this episode, we explore: Importance of grit in business. Aleks’ journey from working with NASA to founding AeroThreads. Challenges of leading a growing team in a rapidly evolving aeros...
Jun 30, 2025•27 min•Ep. 201
You might have a buyer lined up — but that doesn’t mean your exit is guaranteed. In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Jim Carlisle , mergers and acquisitions attorney and chair of the National Growth and Exit Planning Group at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. With decades of experience guiding business owners through transitions, Jim shares insider insights into why even well-prepared exits can fall apart — and what you can do to avoid common pitfalls - and why it's...
Jun 19, 2025•32 min•Ep. 200
In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Julie Broad, President of Book Launchers, to discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, key decisions, and challenges in business growth. Julie shares her journey from growing up in a highway-side motel in Alberta, Canada to becoming a successful entrepreneur, author, and real estate investor. She offers insights on the importance of problem-solving and risk-taking and how she self-published her first book. Julie also talks a...
Jun 18, 2025•22 min•Ep. 199
What happens when an entrepreneur faces massive failure — and how does that become their greatest asset? In this powerful episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Brian Marshall, a leadership coach and business advisor who has spent over 40 years guiding entrepreneurs through personal and professional transformation. Brian shares his own deeply personal journey — from launching his first business at age 20, to experiencing devastating loss and failure in 2008, and ultima...
Jun 10, 2025•35 min•Ep. 198
“It's not just part of your personality to be a successful entrepreneur. It takes a lot more than just being a risk-taking delusional optimist.” Laurie Barkman interviews Gregory Silvano, CEO of Buyist. Greg shares his entrepreneurial journey to founding his own companies, emphasizing resilience, optimism, and pure delusion. They discuss navigating risks, cash flow management in startups, and the strategic value of customer reviews. They also discuss the significant impact of AI across industrie...
Jun 08, 2025•44 min•Ep. 197
What happens when an entire executive team retires at once? How do you ensure leadership continuity, preserve company culture, and protect long-term value? In this episode of Succession Stories, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Mark L. Vincent, founder of Design Group International and expert in process consulting and leadership transitions. Together, they explore how leaders can build organizations that thrive beyond their tenure — not just structurally, but emotionally and culturally. Mark s...
Jun 04, 2025•38 min•Ep. 196
“There's going to be times where people are going to doubt you and they might be envious of your success, but I think if you're tenacious and you believe in yourself, that'll get you a long way.” - Taylor Abbett Host Laurie Barkman interviews Taylor Abbett, Co-Founder of JARVIS XR and President of Tailored Marketing Inc. They explore key aspects of entrepreneurial growth, specifically the importance of tenacity and decision-making in facing industry challenges. Taylor shares insights from his ca...
Jun 01, 2025•25 min•Ep. 195
What makes your business memorable? What sets it apart—not just in the marketplace, but in the minds of customers, employees, investors, and potential buyers? Laurie Barkman sits down with Paul Furiga, founder and chief storyteller at Word Write Agency and author of Finding Your Capital S Story. Together, they explore how storytelling isn’t just entertainment—it’s a strategic tool that can elevate your brand, increase your company’s value, and create lasting impact. This special episode marks th...
May 26, 2025•34 min•Ep. 194
“As one takes the journey, you start to make decisions that when collected become the components that are foundational to being an entrepreneur.” - Charlie Buscarino Host Laurie Barkman interviews Charlie Buscarino, the Founder and CEO of The Clarient Group. Charlie shares his path from construction to entrepreneurship. They discuss the innovations in smart building technology and the importance of creativity and problem-solving in uncharted territory. Charlie also reflects on his career, emphas...
May 25, 2025•16 min•Ep. 193
“Every entrepreneur sees that in trial, there's treasure.” - Dean Minuto Host Laurie Barkman interviews Dean Minuto, President of YESCALATE. Dean shares his insights on entrepreneurship and the development of crucial skills necessary for success. The discussion emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to learn in business and Dean elaborates on building muscle in entrepreneurship through learning and community. He also shares personal experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial jo...
May 18, 2025•26 min•Ep. 192
“I always knew I wanted to do something where I was the person deciding my own destiny, but it's not for everyone.” - Susan Quinn Host Laurie Barkman welcomes Susan Quinn, CEO and President of Circle S Studio. The conversation first explores whether entrepreneurial traits are inherited or nurtured. Susan shares her family's history of business ownership, her journey to founding her own consulting firm, and the values that drive her company's culture. The episode also covers the challenges entrep...
May 15, 2025•22 min•Ep. 191
What does it take to build stronger teams and more effective leaders? For Ken Bogard and Grace Gavin, it begins with a commitment to honesty. Laurie Barkman sits down with Ken and Grace—co-founders of Know Honesty and authors of the new book by the same name—for a compelling conversation about the role of open communication in business success. Dedicated to enhancing professional lives and simplifying leadership, Ken and Grace are leading a transformative movement that empowers individuals and o...
May 07, 2025•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 190
“You don't want to be in the role of telling people what to do, but it's encouraging people to do what you think is right, but also being open to learn from them.” - Bill Spohn In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman welcomes Bill Spohn, President and CEO of Tru Tech Tools, to discuss the characteristics of the entrepreneurial mindset, the intersection of engineering and entrepreneurship, and his career journey. Bill shares his family's legacy of risk-taking, talks about th...
May 03, 2025•29 min•Ep. 189
Do you have the conviction to pursue your big idea? In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman interviews Pallavi Golla, a serial entrepreneur and professional EOS implementer at EOS Worldwide. They discuss the concept of the entrepreneurial gene, the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial skills, and overcoming challenges in business. Pallavi shares her journey of building and selling two businesses and provides advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. The conversation also touche...
Apr 27, 2025•27 min•Ep. 188
In this episode of The Entrepreneur Gene, host Laurie Barkman sits down with Nick Hutchison, CEO and Founder of BookThinkers. They discuss Nick's entrepreneurial journey, how books changed his life, and his rebellious nature that drove him to create successful businesses. Nick shares key decisions and challenges in scaling BookThinkers, emphasizing the importance of systems and strategic growth. The conversation also touches upon personal anecdotes, Nick's passion for endurance sports, and his e...
Apr 17, 2025•28 min•Ep. 187
Is your “Fourth Quarter” of life filled with purpose—or just pressure? Executive coach Scott Couchenour helps leaders over 50 design a future they won’t regret. In this episode of Succession Stories , host Laurie Barkman talks with Scott about his journey from burnout to breakthrough, and how he now guides others through mid-life reinvention with intention and clarity. Perfect for business owners and executives navigating succession or personal transition, this conversation will inspire you to t...
Apr 07, 2025•45 min•Ep. 186
Welcome to our new sub-show on Succession Stories...The Entrepreneur Gene! In this 1st episode, Host Laurie Barkman interviews David Newman, entrepreneur, author, and sales and marketing expert. David shares his insight into the idea of an entrepreneurial gene, discussing key traits such as being a maverick and a risk-taker. He reflects on his journey from a struggling entrepreneur to a successful mentor, emphasizing the importance of alignment and avoiding distractions in business. David also e...
Apr 01, 2025•30 min•Ep. 185
Cheers to 5 years of Succession Stories! On our anniversary, we are excited to introduce our new feature series, The Entrepreneur Gene! A bonus for Succession Stories Podcast listeners! Listen weekly as show host Laurie Barkman talks with founders and CEOs exploring the rewards and challenges of the entrepreneurial path. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! This Show is Sponsored by The Business Transition Sherpa® Get your business unstuck so you can grow, scale, and exit while enj...
Mar 30, 2025•6 min•Ep. 184
Ghislain Gouraige, Partner at NewEdge Wealth, helps ultra-high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs navigate business transitions. Ghislain joins host Laurie Barkman to recap the firm's 2025 Onward Conference held at Carnegie Mellon University and valuable insights to help you prepare before a sale: Success factors to prepare personally and financially How to maximize business value Understanding M&A market trends and roll-up strategies Identifying target companies Characteristics that make ...
Mar 23, 2025•37 min•Ep. 183
What happens when a successful entrepreneur faces his own turning point? In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Jon Goldman, CEO of Turning Point, to discuss his journey from co-owning the innovative promotional products company Lumpy Mail to navigating his own business succession. Jon shares insights on guiding leaders toward discovering their life purpose, aligning personal and company values, and upgrading professional and emotional habits. Tune in for a conversation about transformat...
Mar 16, 2025•44 min•Ep. 182
Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are one of the best-kept secrets in business succession planning. In this episode, Laurie Barkman sits down with Dan Zugell, Senior Vice President at Business Transition Advisors and a nationally recognized expert in ESOPs, to explore how these plans create financial value, enhance employee engagement, and offer unique transition options for business owners. Dan shares insights on the financial benefits of ESOPs—like tax advantages and wealth creation—as we...
Mar 02, 2025•44 min•Ep. 181
Is your business truly valuable—or just another job you’ve created for yourself? In this episode of Succession Stories , Laurie Barkman speaks with Justin Goodbread, award-winning exit planner, best-selling author, and serial entrepreneur who has built and sold six businesses. Justin shares how he doubled the value of his financial services firm in just 18 months, the key to making your business a transferable asset, and why your business isn’t your baby—unless it’s an ugly one. Tune in for acti...
Feb 21, 2025•41 min•Ep. 180
Join Matthew Powell, CEO of Century Companies and a fourth-generation family business leader, along with host Laurie Barkman, as they explore the art of building sustainable, multi-generational enterprises. In a world of short-term exits, Matthew champions a different path—creating lasting value for stakeholders by thinking in centuries, not just years. Through insightful conversations with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts, Built to Last dives into the challenges and triumphs of fami...
Feb 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 179
🎙️ Discover how scaling starts with mindset in this insightful episode of Succession Stories! Laurie Barkman welcomes Jennifer Dawn, a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, and host of the Happy Productive podcast, to share her journey of building and selling businesses. From launching her first venture at age 8 to founding Quantix, a software company for the attractions and amusement industry, Jennifer reveals what it takes to create a thriving company that’s not just profitable but sustainab...
Jan 24, 2025•32 min•Ep. 178
