Succession Stories

Listen in as Laurie Barkman speaks with Brian Baum, President of The Business Transitions Group. For business owners not yet familiar with exit planning, Brian de-mystifies how financial succession planning works so you can take a proactive approach for your future. Show content: phases of transition and exit planning fundamentals of business valuation de-risking the business role of external advi...

On this episode, Laurie Barkman was joined by Michael Schoedinger, President of Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service, a 6th generation company; and Jill Hofmans, Executive Director of The Conway Center for Family Business in Columbus, Ohio. Some takeaways: - It's never too early to start succession planning. Succession is going to happen and the process can take 3-7 years to put everything in...

On this episode, listen in as Laurie Barkman explores next generation entrepreneurship from a different angle with Rick Terrien, author of Ageless Startup . After selling his last company, Rick pondered the question of what's next. His experience became the inspiration for a book encouraging entrepreneurship at any age. If you've been contemplating your next, you'll enjoy this discussion about age...

Laurie Barkman interviews Chris Cynkar, Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship through Acquisition at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon. Chris has acquired six small businesses in four industries . He shared his first success as a next generation business owner when he acquired a mature printing company from its founder. In taking over the business, Chris fulfilled the owner's intent...

This episode features Shelley Taylor, a family business advisor and expert on navigating family succession. Shelley has worked with multi-generational companies for more than 20 years, and she is the Family Council Chair for ABARTA, a 3rd and 4th generation company running one of the largest Coca-Cola distributors in the US. Shelley shared best practices for succession, and ways to develop the nex...

Jim Rooney is an entrepreneur and author of, A Different Way to Win: Dan Rooney's Story from the Super Bowl to the Rooney Rule. Jim discusses his father's family succession with the Pittsburgh Steelers, innovations, and leadership ethos:   - Run a successful business that has meaning beyond the bottom line - Take the long view, even if others focus on short term gain - Sometimes it has to get wors...

On this episode of Succession Stories, Laurie Barkman is joined by Tony Uphoff, President and CEO of Thomas. Thomas is a family-owned, 5th generation 122-year old company that successfully transformed its business model, technology, and culture. Three years ago, Tony joined Thomas to continue its digital innovation.  They discussed key lessons Tony has learned about mature industries mobilizing fo...

The Succession Stories podcast is hosted by Laurie Barkman, Founder of SmallDotBig, providing insights for next generation entrepreneurs. The show features interviews with multi-generational business experts discussing succession, innovation, and culture. If you are a next generation entrepreneur looking for inspiration to grow and thrive, or an owner who can't figure out the best way to transitio...